OLIVER HUI
VP, Sales, e-Security
Thales
What does Thales do?
Thales is a leading multi-domestic electronics and systems group, serving defence and security, aerospace, and ground transport markets worldwide. State-of-the-art technologies combined with the expertise of 64,000 employees in 56 countries make Thales a key player in assuring the security of people, assets, infrastructures, cities and nations.
With a long-term commitment to Hong Kong, Thales has enjoyed a presence in the city since 1997 and has more than 350 staff here, including 300 in transportation systems and 50 in information technology security. A large proportion of them are specialised engineers, which reflects the high level of skills required to deliver complex multidisciplinary projects. This concentration of capabilities, products and services means effective solutions can be delivered to our customers in Hong Kong, mainland China and throughout the region.
How about its e-Security business?
Thales e-Security (TeS) is in the cybersecurity business and we design and sell our own data protection products. These products include hardware, software and services. Our customers include governments, banks, health care organisations, telecommunications companies, systems integrators, and major international enterprises. Companies purchase our products to protect their own information systems infrastructure.
What activities do you have planned for your shadows?
The shadows will start the first day presenting to me their understanding of what we do – so they should have done some homework. I will then brief them on the various processes needed to make the business work, as well as describe my workday and show them how I do some of my work, such as forecasting.
On the second day, I will ask them to document what I’ve shown them and present these back to me. Then I will ask them to indicate to me which part of the business they find most interesting, and explain why.
On day three I would like them to propose how, if they were doing my job, they could do it better. This is a presentation session and I will coach them on their presentation skills. I will then give them feedback on their proposal, and ask probing questions so that they get a broader, more comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run an APAC sales operation. This will be a very interactive session.
What do you hope your shadows will get out of the experience?
I would like them to acquire a good, albeit general, understanding of what Thales does in its e-Security business. They should appreciate what it takes to lead a multicultural organisation and get an idea of the career path that they can follow and the capabilities that are required if they want to one day fill a leadership role.
What skills and experiences are you looking for in applicants?
I am looking for candidates who are inquisitive, want to learn and who will take the exercise seriously. It will greatly impress me if they come prepared with knowledge about what we do, and if they are interactive and not afraid to ask challenging questions. I wouldn’t be impressed with someone who wants to be spoon-fed.
What is the job market like for graduates in your industry?
The job market is growing. Many companies previously not engaged with IT security are starting business divisions and are looking for staff to develop this business sector.
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LUDOVIC LANG
Sales and Bids Director
Thales
What is Thales’ business in the transport sector?
Thales’ local capabilities in Hong Kong encompass solutions and services in the transport and security domains. Thales creates mobility systems that are designed to make transport more agile, to optimise network capacity and efficiency, and to facilitate travel while improving people and traffic flows, saving energy and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Our portfolio covers such solutions as communication-based train control and signalling systems, integrated communications and supervision systems, and revenue-collection systems.
What sort of transport products are associated with Thales and what value do they bring to customers?
Our flagship products in the ground transport domain are: SCADAsoft, which allows transport operators to manage critical equipment in real time in a centralized control center; Transcity, which governs fare collection including ticket vending, secure payment transaction and transaction clearance at a central level; and Seltrac, which controls movement of trains and allows transport operators to provide their passengers with safe and secure travel experience. Thales’ innovative solutions allow transport operators to provide a safe and secure travel experience to their passengers.
What activities do you want to get your shadows involved in?
I want my shadows to be fully part of the team and contribute to all activities across the departments I oversee. They will get involved with marketing and communication plans, customers’ portfolio management, and bid management in support of other members of the team.
What do you hope your shadows will get out of the experience?
I hope they will be able to appreciate what it takes to lead within a multicultural environment and understand better the career path that they can follow if they want to end up in a leadership role.
What skills and experiences are you looking for in applicants?
I am looking for applicants who are naturally curious and comfortable with working in a transverse field. I want them to explore everything, push back the walls, ask when they have questions and voice their ideas. I’m impressed by people who are motivated and come prepared to take up a new challenge. Also, I appreciate initiative and a readiness to move out of one’s comfort zone.
What is the job market like for graduates in your industry?
Hong Kong is constantly building new large infrastructure and is turning into a smart city, in which Thales plays a key role. Cities in the region are also growing with a steady demand for safer, faster, eco-friendly infrastructure-management systems. The job market looks bright!
