Q&A: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned?
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In this Q&A series, we put key questions to the members of Technetix’ strategic advisory board (SAB) and main board members. With distinguished careers ranging from global sales and marketing, investments, to holding over 100 patents, our board generously share their experience, views and wealth of knowledge.
Our final installment in our SAB Q&A series asks the board to tell us:
Thinking back over your career and the experiences you’ve gained on your professional journey, what do you believe is the most important lesson you’ve learned?
John Chapman, former CTO Broadband and Fellow, Cisco
SAB member since 2023
“Innovate. Develop a vision and a product that makes the world a better place. Build something that makes sense for the customer and financial sense for the company. Lead, listen, and learn. Don’t take no for answer if you truly believe you’re right; but listen to critical feedback and pivot when you need to or should. Learn constantly. Give back and mentor. Give respect and expect respect. Be both humble and strong. Be good to others. Believe in yourself and believe in others. Leave your dent in the universe.”
Duncan McIntyre, Technetix Chairman
Board member since 2009
“One lesson would be impossible. So here are a few: 1) Never muddle strategy with tactical decisions; 2) the world is competitive: be strong, commit, and never give in; 3) and act with honor in all your business and work interactions. Everyone is a vital cog.”
Israel Madiedo, Innovation and Technology Director at izzi
SAB member since 2024
“Keep your eyes open, keep your options open, keep your mind open. There are a lot of things happening everywhere in the world which can surprise: like how we’re evolving our networks in Latin America to optimize them. There are things happening all over the world to make the most of, but we’re used to seeing what’s going on in Europe and the U.S.A.
“Also, turn to your team. There’s lots of value here. People get excited by new things and come up with bright ideas. Always listen to your team.”
Colin Büchner, MD Chief Network Officer for Liberty Global
SAB member since 2019
“Continuous learning and adapting to changing requirements are essential for professional and personal success. Understanding what customers need and being able to address these needs helped me to set the right priorities and to determine what deserves all my professional efforts.”
Tony Werner, former CTO Comcast
Board member since 2024
“Bet on people over everything else. It drives entrepreneurs, leaders, and technologists that make a difference.”
Jay Rolls, former CTO Charter Communications
SAB member since 2019
“I would say two things: the first – a classic, which I think Technetix is very good at – is listening to the voice of the customer. Try and get yourself in their shoes; really understand their challenges. In the end, it helps lots of customers who face similar, or the same, issues.
“The other lesson is a bit broader: when you’re an operator, or vendor, or just immersed in the industry ecosystem somewhere, try to focus on things that move the needle. Don’t get bogged down in special one-of-a-kind or niche projects or products. They might apply to a small subset of your customer base; but in the end, it doesn’t actually move the big needle.”
Lorenz Glatz, former CTO Kabel Deutschland
SAB member since 2019
“Around the time I left LGI to become the CTO at Kabel Deutschland, Tony Werner left LGI to become CTO at Comcast. That day, we drove to the airport together and he shared a thought with me that has stuck: Lorenz, he said, I have learnt that it is not the companies, but the people in our industry that we have to be loyal to. We keep running into the same folks and while their roles change, they do not. That truly resonated with me. Not least because it resonated with a more general lesson I’ve learned, that it’s always the people around me and how they interact with me that determines whether I am feeling good or bad.”
Ron Coppock, former President of Sales, Arris International
SAB member since 2017
“I think that’s important not to spread what you do too thinly. That’s not to ignore new technology, say; but don’t be everything to everyone. Be intentional and set your focus. You’ve got to be focused in order to grow.”
Thanks to our Strategic Advisory Board members for sharing their insights, wisdom and thoughts with us over this series.
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