Sign up with host Bob Skinstad in this episode of ‘Winning the Away Games’ in partnership with Elixirrfor a fascinating discussion with Ettienne Brandtan accomplished telecom executive who made the leap from the UK to the U.S., now leading Frontier Communications in Dallas, Texas. Ettienne shares his extraordinary journey– from modest starts in Port Elizabeth to handling a $10.5 billion P&L at BT and his present function structure Gigabit America. Discover how Ettienne browses the intricacies of the U.S. telecom landscape, adjusts his South African braai culture to Texas, and his special insights into Africa’s tech advancement. A motivating mix of individual anecdotes and expert knowledge waits for!
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Edited records of the interview
Bob Skinstad: Greetings when again, I’m Bob Skinstad, and invite back to our series, “Winning the Away Games.” Today, we have a remarkable example of displaced executives flourishing on the other side of the world. Joining us is Ettienne Brandt, and we value your existence, thank you for joining us.
Ettienne Brandt: Thank you, Bob. Excellent to see you.
Bob Skinstad: . I ‘d choose an in-person conference, let’s dive into it. Your profession trajectory in the telecom market is excellent, dealing with giants like Orange, EE, and BT in executive functions. Handling a $10.5 billion P&L and leading 8,000 staff members at BT in the UK is no little accomplishment. Simply over a year earlier, you transitioned to Frontier Communications in the U.S. as an executive vice president, living in Dallas, Texas, and leading business department to develop Gigabit America. There’s much to check out, however initially, thank you for being here.
Ettienne Brandt: Bob. Constantly an enjoyment. Eagerly anticipating conference face to face quickly.
Bob Skinstad: Definitely. Our discussion focuses on people who move from one location to another. We’ve spoken with Kiwis, South Africans, and Irish folks, all adding to a worldwide diaspora. Much Like Steven Newton, the Cape Town-born creator of Alexa, your journey is parallel to theirs. Could you share your story of how a South African wound up on the other side of the world? Do not hesitate to be as succinct or in-depth as you ‘d like.
Ettienne Brandt: Bob. I matured in Port Elizabeth and participated in Stellenbosch University. As graduation approached, my daddy used a distinct present, asking what I desired. I revealed a desire to take a trip, having never ever left South Africa. He supplied ₤ 700, a one-way ticket, and covered the visa application. Getting here in the UK, I began by crashing on a buddy’s couch, protecting my very first task in momentary financing work. Signing up with a significant cable television business as a temperature, my profession got momentum with 3 promos in the very first year. The business sponsored my visa, causing naturalisation and British citizenship. I transitioned from cable television to cordless with Orange, hung out in South Africa’s personal equity sector, and went back to the UK, signing up with EE, then BT. Reviewing 20 years, I made the special choice to sign up with Frontier Communications, starting the difficulty of structure Gigabit America. Residing in Texas for the previous 18 months, the journey has actually been transformative, echoing the courageous spirit of my more youthful self who boarded an aircraft with simply a one-way ticket and a dream.
Bob Skinstad: . Let’s dig deeper into those elements. You discussed numerous points in your journey, especially within the UK telecom sector. Provided your comprehensive experience with various telcos, what were the crucial aspects affecting your shifts from one function to the next? In a field as competitive as telecoms, how do executives determine in between an excellent and bad service method?
Ettienne Brandt: Bob. Having actually started my profession as an accounting professional and investing the preliminary years in financing functions, I ultimately moved to company management and managing organization systems. Drawing parallels to sports, just like a rugby coach requiring proficiency in scrums and lineups, telecom executives need an eager understanding of business characteristics. Leading big groups in capital-intensive and complicated markets needs clearness of idea and instructions. It’s about recognizing positions of strength, comprehending market-winning methods, and browsing intricacies.
In the business landscape, developing structures within the group is essential. I frequently utilize the example of a soccer video game where, in times of crisis, individuals tend to hurry towards the ball, doing not have structure. Developing a clear technique and breaking down the intricacies, comparable to evaluating a group’s offense, permits efficient management. It’s vital to prevent the disorderly method where everybody goes after the ball, and rather, get people to play in their designated positions. In essence, success depends on clearness of idea, tactical preparation, and attaining a high hit rate.
Bob Skinstad: An engaging method. Now, considering your development from financing functions to handling substantial company systems, can you elaborate on the concepts that assisted you? How did you establish an effective method for decreasing churn in a prominent telecom organization?
Ettienne Brandt: Bob. My structure as an accounting professional, combined with a shift to company management, supplied a special viewpoint. Just like a rugby group requires a playbook, a method is not simply a PowerPoint discussion however a vibrant playbook. When it comes to minimizing churn at BT, we set a vision described the “1% churn strategy,” intending to bring the churn rate below 1.8% to listed below one within 18 months. Breaking down this enthusiastic objective into smaller sized, attainable turning points, and producing a clear playbook, permitted us to prosper. The approach of fast-fail, duplicated at a fast rate, showed reliable in attaining apparently unlikely goals.
Bob Skinstad: Outstanding accomplishments. Proceeding, in the business world, people frequently reach a phase where they question whether to continue as CEOs or shift to various functions. How does one browse this predicament, and is it a matter of character, business assistance, or a mix of both?
Ettienne Brandt: It’s a fragile balance of character and business characteristics. Having a durable frame of mind, a determination to continue through obstacles, and a proactive method to analytical are necessary qualities. Fast-fail method, not as a license for errors however as a technique of quick experimentation and adjustment, shows advantageous. People need to continually look for chances for development, adjusting to brand-new functions, and progressing to satisfy the needs of management at various levels. The capability to get rid of headwinds, welcome modification, and concentrate on continuous enhancement adds to success in business endeavours.
Bob Skinstad: Well-articulated. On an individual note, being an expat features its difficulties, specifically when moving from a location like Port Elizabeth to areas with various environments and way of lives. How do you stabilize remaining gotten in touch with your roots while accepting brand-new experiences and taking advantage of your time in varied areas like the UK and the U.S.?
Ettienne Brandt: Keeping connections with family and friends in South Africa is important, assisted in by improvements in innovation. While it’s important to keep in mind one’s roots, my method with my partner and kids includes maximizing chances for experience. The vastness of the U.S. permits us to check out various states, producing a sense of enjoyment and range in our experiences. We’ve embraced a state of mind of taking pleasure in life anywhere we are, turning each chance into a possibility for expedition and discovery.
Bob Skinstad: Excellent insights, Ettienne. Now, let’s discuss a more individual note. Moving from South Africa to the U.S., your kids needed to adjust to a various school system and way of life. How has this shift affected them, particularly in regards to sports and home entertainment?
Ettienne Brandt: Adjusting to a brand-new school system and way of life has actually been challenging, particularly for the kids, aged 10 and 7. While sports like rugby and cricket prevailed in South Africa, the shift to the U.S. presented them to a range of sports and home entertainment alternatives. It’s not a simple change, thinking about the existence of recognized relationship groups. Sports have actually played an essential function in assisting them incorporate. My child has actually used up basketball, and my child has actually accepted soccer, which, in the U.S., is the one had fun with hands. They’ve checked out different sports through summer season camps, discovering their choices along the method.
Bob Skinstad: That’s wonderful to hear how they’ve adjusted and welcomed various sports. Now, let’s switch equipments a bit. In Texas, the environment and outside culture vary from South Africa. How has the household adapted to the Texan way of life? Being a South African who likes to braai, how do you deal with the outside social scene?
Ettienne Brandt: Adjusting to the Texan way of life has actually been pleasurable. The warm environment, although periodically too hot, offers sufficient chances for outside activities. We’ve checked out various states, maximizing every chance for experience. When it pertains to the outside social scene, being a braai lover, I’ve brought a South African touch to Texas. I have 3 grills– a Traeger pellet smoking cigarettes grill, a Green Egg, and a gas grill. Whether it’s grilling or braaiing, I’m equipped for any outside cooking circumstance. The Texan outside way of life lines up well with our love for expedition and taking advantage of every minute.
Bob Skinstad: That seems like a tasty mix of South African braai culture conference Texan outside living. Now, let’s shift focus to your existing function at Frontier. As a significant gamer in laying fiber and linking homes and companies, how do you browse the vastness of the U.S., specifically thinking about the variety amongst states like California, Texas, and New York?
Ettienne Brandt: Browsing the U.S. needs comprehending its distinct characteristics, rather comparable to Europe, where each state works like its own nation. Running mostly in states like California, Texas, Florida, and New York, we focus on significant company centres. The obstacle occurs when handling bigger companies that have workplaces throughout several states. Connection services end up being more intricate when broadening beyond on-net abilities. The objective is to construct Gigabit America, digitising organizations and customers by broadening fiber facilities. While each state provides its own obstacles, concentrating on essential company centers assists simplify our operations.
Bob Skinstad: Handling operations throughout such varied states needs tactical preparation. On a more comprehensive note, considering your substantial experience in the telecom sector, what’s your point of view on the advancement of fiber facilities in Africa? Is it feasible, or does the frequency of cordless innovations control the landscape?
Ettienne Brandt: Africa provides a fascinating case research study in technological development. Unlike the standard course of fixed-line advancement followed in Western nations, Africa experienced a leap to cordless innovations. The expansion of cellular phone networks and 3G took place quickly. While fiber facilities is essential for supporting cordless networks, Africa has, in most cases, avoided the preliminary stage of fixed-line advancement. The continent is now embracing fiber more straight, providing chances without the problem of tradition systems. Fiber is fundamental for supporting high-speed connection, and in Africa, it acts as the foundation for advancing innovation.
Bob Skinstad: An interesting viewpoint on Africa’s innovation journey. Ettienne, thank you a lot for sharing your experiences, insights, and a look into the crossway of your individual and expert life. It’s been a satisfaction having you on the program. We want you continued success in your endeavours, both in Texas and beyond. Thank you for your time.
Ettienne Brandt: Thank you, Bob. It’s been a satisfaction. I value the chance to share my journey and insights. Cheers!
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