President, HOT TELECOM
For the past 18 years, Isabelle Paradis has been working with many of the world’s top international telecom service providers to help them define their transformation strategy. She has written multiple articles and regularly speaks at conferences on this topic.
She is also passionate about encouraging the involvement of women in technology and science and continuously conducts panels and interviews with leading and inspiring C-level telecom executives from around the world.
Isabelle holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, an MBA in finance, and has over 27 years of experience working globally.
How can telecommunications technologies help humanity?
More than ever before, telecommunications is the cornerstone of our society. With the 360-degree digitization of the way we live, work, and communicate, the role of the telecom operator is rapidly becoming the core of our world.
With this central role comes momentous responsibilities, to not only deliver communication in a sustainable manner, but, more importantly, to empower people to change their lives, make their mark, and contribute to the evolution of humankind.
By empowering people of all ages, gender, and culture to share their thoughts and vision, the telecom world is becoming one of the most important facilitators of change.
If one thing should be redeveloped within the telecom and related industries, what should it be?
I strongly believe that more diversity should be instilled within our industry. Diversity not only in terms of age, bringing in new blood and ideas, but also in terms of gender, culture, education, and mindset. Then and only then will the telecom industry create solutions that reflect the true diversity of our society.
Is it important for companies to continue to innovate their organization or offerings, and why?
In today’s fluid world, where volatility and uncertainty are becoming the new reality, it is more important than ever to constantly reimagine your business. To be ready to readjust to evolving customer needs, competitor offerings, and ecosystem dynamics. To achieve this, organizations must be in a position to continually innovate and rethink the way they deliver business. This is a huge challenge and to be able to do so, organizations must foster fluid structures with creative and passionate people.
What value does PTC hold for you/your company?
From our point of view, the PTC Annual Conference is by far the best event of the industry. The spirit of friendship and cooperation the PTC organization fosters is incomparable and invaluable.
What would you share with those interested in becoming a PTC Member?
Joining PTC as a member has been extremely valuable to us in two ways. Firstl, it has given us access to industry thought leaders, enabling us to learn from the best and open our horizon to new ideas and industry visions. Second, it has given us the opportunity to contribute to our industry’s continual evolution with our own disruptive thoughts and beliefs.
What advice would you share with current and future graduates interested in this field?
The most important advice to new graduates and young people joining our industry is to believe in yourself and that you can make a difference. Confidence in who you are and what you believe in is key. People of any age, gender, and background can bring value to the discussion. Be brave, be bold, and push yourself continuously and, last but not least, be passionate about everything you do. That can only bring you success and happiness.
What is something that not that many people know about you?
Just to prove that you should never judge a book by its cover, people probably don’t know that I am an engineer with an MBA in finance and I am a member of MENSA. Or maybe it proves that you can fool people sometimes.
What has been a positive outcome organizationally or individually given the current state of the world?
The halt of business travel has given me much more time to focus on some of the projects that I have been wanting to deliver for a long time but had never gotten to. Such as revamping our HOT TELECOM website and creating new initiatives such as virtual interviews and panels. It has also enabled me to focus on what is important, which is my well-being with more time spent exercising on a daily basis.
But no matter what, I miss networking face-to-face with all of my telecom friends and I hope we can start meeting again soon!
About HOT TELECOM:
As one of the most innovative and creative marketing, research, and consulting companies in the telecom industry, HOT TELECOM is all about pushing the boundaries and leading change. For the past 18 years, we have focused on providing the international telecom community – from international telecom service providers, to carriers, vendors, and regulators – with creative content, specialised intelligence, and strategic advice to help them lead the pack and transform the industry. We are the top dogs of the international telecom world.
