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Top 10 Under 40: Mikaël Lavergne, Territory sales manager – Eastern Canada, JCI Security Products, 34

What is the first task you take care of in a typical working day?

Even if I look at it before going to bed, the first thing I do is consult my schedule and traffic conditions, to make sure I did not miss anything and that the proper timing is scheduled in between appointments. We should never assume that every day will be the same and we must be able to adapt daily. By doing this task every morning, I can react quickly to avoid scheduling conflicts with my clients, thus also preserving my relationships.

What do you enjoy most about the security profession?

The challenges are never the same which encourages me to learn and evolve on a constant basis. For example, our customers enjoy people who think outside the box to provide a complete solution to their needs. You could simply answer the client’s questions, but if you’re able to anticipate their next questions and provide them an answer before they ask, then you’ll be ahead of the game!

Do you have any tips for achieving a successful work-life balance?

My advice for maintaining a good work-life balance is to prioritize developing yourself in your current role. If you focus on learning and improving yourself, you will become much more efficient with your time, thus leaving more time for your personal life. As some would say, work hard – play hard, but not necessarily the way we thought about it originally!

How can the security industry draw more young people and newcomers to the profession?

By continuing to bring new technology to market, not only for end users but also for those who sell and install the products. Cutting-edge technology attracts young people, no matter the position!

We tend to forget that it starts with technicians. Most young technicians would rather program an alarm system through a phone app than an alarm keypad. When I meet students at trade shows, they are all impressed by today’s technology, but they tell me they are learning on 20-year-old security systems. I think we need to help find solutions for schools to offer new technology courses within their budget.