Welcome to the next edition of Leadership Matters where we ask leaders around the Pacific Zone for their insights and advice about leadership matters to support our continuing journey of personal and professional development.
In this edition, we hear from Director Strategy & Marketing for Industry, Nicole Blackburn, who is responsible for development and implementation of the local go-to-market strategy across the Industrial & Process Automation portfolio.
Nicole has over 20 years' experience within industrial environments focusing on disruptive technology and innovation to drive real outcomes for her clients both locally and globally. Before joining Schneider Electric in 2019 as the Industry Sales Director, Nicole held senior roles in Australia, Asia, and Europe, including Managing Director of Fluke ANZ, Head of Global Sales & Non-Executive Director for Asia Pacific at Martek Marine and the Hilti Group.
Nicole is passionate about coaching individuals and teams, leading a customer-obsessed culture, and delivering transformative outcomes that drive business growth at scale. She is an empathetic leader who embraces technology and partnerships to drive sustainable and profitable growth.
What motivates and excites you about your role at Schneider Electric?
Firstly, it’s the opportunity to work alongside amazing talented people that inspire me every day. Secondly, the innovation and technology that we are continually developing at Schneider and how it helps provide our customers with solutions to meet their sustainability goals. Finally, I’m truly inspired by our company purpose. I also love the dynamic nature of our industry. All of this motivates me to bring my best self every day.
What makes you most proud of your team?
Feeling the team’s energy and passion during collaboration. It’s magic and impossible to not get swept up and want to be a part of it. Also, the team’s diversity in thought and ideas, especially when it is focused on solving a challenge or finding a solution for our customers and partners. I clearly see that everyone really cares about finding the best solution. This commitment is what makes me most proud.
How do you see customers within Industry evolving in the next 5 years?
I see our customers becoming more software-centric and embracing digitalisation and disruptive technology at rates not experienced before. Software and digital are enablers for Industry customers to become more efficient, productive, and to help them be more profitable all while helping to decarbonise. With increasing focus on sustainability and ESGs, I see Industry customers finding ways to adopt a low carbon energy transition faster. I also see customers becoming more security focused as we continue to move towards OT and IT integration. As well as the spotlight on cyber security, there is a growing focus on supply chain security given what the industry and individuals have experienced over the last few years along with the security of our resources.
We’re one of the leading companies in the world when it comes to sustainability. How is your part of the business contributing to this?
Every day we are helping our customers and partners within our Industry business to transform by leveraging technology to perform tasks and operations in a more energy efficient way. We also work with our customers to help them define the path to meet their sustainability goals. As well as new technology, our part of the business helps our customers to manage and upgrade aging assets for newer, smarter, and more predictive technology and solutions.
What was a moment in your career that was pivotal or changed you in some way
Leaving a company after 12 years that I loved working with to move overseas to Singapore in a global role. The combination of living and working in a very diverse culture and the opportunity to work with so many talented and inspiring people from different walks of life was a life changing time, personally and professionally. I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience the real value of diversity and inclusion first-hand early in my career.
Which of our company values resonates with you most and why?
Customer First. Very early on in my career I came across a strategy pillar of “our customers’ needs drive our actions” and this has forever stuck with me and still resonates today. I’m incredibly customer-centric and this is why I’ve highlighted this one. Although I must say that I believe all our values are equally important.
What makes someone a good leader?
Their ability to inspire and help others dream to achieve what they didn’t see as possible. To do this, I believe great leaders need to be very flexible in their leadership style, bringing the best version of themselves to suit any of many scenarios required of them. Along with this, building an environment of trust. Some of the best leaders I have ‘trusted’, haven’t had a ‘leader’ title, and it’s these people that I have felt the most inspired by and learnt the most from, because what they bring is genuine passion for what they do from within. They have a clear sense of purpose, humility, and inspiration, and a feeling you want to go on the journey with them.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.