IP Vision (a Hymatom company)
Nicolas Jdanoff, Sales and Marketing Director
Age: 31 Family: Married with a son
Education: Master's degree in international business from Jean Moulin University Lyon 3
How you got involved in security
I entered electronic security in 2004 after graduation and a three-month internship at Sorhea. Sorhea's CEO offered me the position of regional sales manager to cover a third of France's territory. I've been with IP Vision since 2009. I'm based in Morocco and manage a team of four salesmen in the development of our system integrator activity.
Has your age ever been an issue?
Age has never been an issue, once the ice was broken with customers.
Worst business move to date and what you learned from it
I've made mistakes in delivering a quote to a customer, forgetting an item, ordering a noncompliant product on a specific project, but every time I learned a valuable lesson, which evens it up for me.
Best professional decision
The best decision I've ever made was not to compromise myself, my company and my set of values to gain a project, even though pressure was sometimes high.
How you want to be remembered
People who know me can attest I'm a dedicated individual with integrity.
Ways to attract more young people into security
Attracting young talent will be done naturally, as managers reach retirement age and need to be replaced with younger people.
Johnson Controls
Brandon Arcement,Security Products Sales Manager
Age: 30
Family: Married with a daughter and another child due in July
Education: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin
How you got involved in security
I was originally introduced to the physical security industry while being recruited by Johnson Controls as a college senior. I accepted a sales representative position. After a few years in integrator sales, I transitioned to manufacturing.
Has your age ever been an issue?
I recognize that a young face makes people question experience and credibility. I address lingering questions by dressing conservatively for business. And I establish credibility virtually by phone or WebEx prior to an in-person meeting.
Worst business move to date and what you learned from it
Early in my career, I did not invest in developing my skills, aside from the training that was made mandatory by my supervisor. Now, I always set aside time at the beginning of the year to evaluate my career development path and select activities which will enhance my development as a business professional and leader.
Best professional decision
The best decision I've made professionally has been to grow within Johnson Controls. I've developed relationships that make me a more credible colleague, a more impactful leader and a more valuable asset.
How you want to be remembered
I'd like to be remembered as someone who leads with integrity and a steady focus on the customer.
Ways to attract more young people into security
The best way to attract more talented young people to the security industry is through college and university recruiting programs.
Digital Barriers
Benoit Georis, France MD, CEO of Keeneo until acquired in 2011
Age: 34
Family: Single
Education: Doctorate in computer vision, Inria (National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control)
How you got involved in security
When I was a Ph.D. student, I found a good technology that no one had commercialized. I've always been interested in transforming this industry into a modern industry.
Has your age ever been an issue?
It could have been, but I managed to surround myself with a team of older people.
Worst business move to date and what you learned from it
Two years after incorporation, we decided to address the Chinese market. However, we were too young and couldn't support distant customers. Thanks to this experience, we made our software compliant with Chinese characters.
Best professional decision
The best decision was to have sold my company Keeneo. Digital Barriers was the perfect match between a technological company and a strong financial institution.
How you want to be remembered
As the guy who introduced intelligent analytics to the industry. Our main asset was customer service. Simplicity of use is another asset, because there is no setup of parameters.
Ways to attract more young people into security
The most important thing for me is making every effort to attract students for a six-month internship. The second thing is to make security attractive to young people. With super resolution or 360-degree cameras, it's exciting stuff.
Livedarshan
Vivek Bagri,CEO
Age: 31
Family: Married
Education: Bachelor's of engineering in computer science, University of Mumbai
How you got involved in security
I founded Livedarshan while I was still in college. Initially the company was just me, and we specialized in webcasting solutions for temples and mosques. After I graduated, I diversified into physical security with a project from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. We set up cameras and software to monitor truck movements at Mumbai's dumping grounds.
Has your age ever been an issue?
Yes. My father Prakash Bagri handled relations with senior officials, while I provided technical solutions and service.
Worst business move to date and what you learned from it
My worst business move was when I relied heavily on the success on a single government project. I learned the hard way that one should not invest everything in a single opportunity and should keep working with an open mind on multiple projects.
Best professional decision
The best decision I ever made was to become an entrepreneur, found Livedarshan, and not give up when things were difficult initially.
How you want to be remembered
I want to be remembered as an honest, hardworking person who contributed to the betterment of the security industry.
Ways to attract more young people into security
Education is an important part of any industry and I feel security has a dearth of an organized education programs to train young talented people. Security companies should also have internship programs, where young graduates can get firsthand experience in the industry.