Jean-Jacques
Principal, New York Office
Education
INSEAD/HEC
Masters in Consulting and Coaching for Change, 2003
INSEAD
M.B.A., 1990
Memories of INSEAD: The excitement of working in a truly international environment (more than 30 nationalities).
INSTITUT NATIONAL POLYTECHNIQUE de LORRAINE
Ph.D. in Computer Science, 1983
INSTITUT FRANCAIS du PETROLE
B.S. in Geophysics, 1981
ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIEURE de GEOLOGIE
B.S. in Geology, 1980
Hometown
Rennes, Britanny, France
ZS Career Path
Manager (Evanston office), 1991
- Began MapPix® (a former subsidiary of ZS), 1992
Principal, 1993
- Moved to Paris to open the Paris office, 1997
- Managing Principal (Europe), 1997-2002
- Moved to the Princeton office, 2003
- Moved to New York to open the New York office, 2005
On the work
“My favorite projects involve delivering tangible results that address real business issues. For example, during rollout meetings with sales reps or change workshops with top management, we deal with solutions that can be implemented right away and that help these people work better as a team and compete more successfully. It’s gratifying to witness the potential for improvement and to see the value you are delivering on the spot.”
On ZS values
Do the Right Thing: “We were at a client’s office attempting to win a project when the client asked our technical expert a difficult question. Our expert did not find the answer right away and replied so. We continued the discussion and 15 minutes later, the expert interrupted, ‘I think I have your answer.’ We ended up winning the project. This story is often brought up by the client as the reason they decided to work with us. ZS people do not tell you what you want to hear. They tell you the truth. The expert, although very young, had the courage to admit he did not know the answer, instead of making up something or talking around the subject. Furthermore, he was able to figure out the perfect answer during the course of the discussion."
On life outside work
“I have three kids—two in their teens—and we all enjoy scuba diving together. We have been to Bonaire twice and Grand Cayman a couple of times. I also enjoy exercising every morning. Recently, because of my work in change management, I have been reading a lot of psychology books during my free time.”
On the New York office
“Everyone at ZS is very smart, pro-active and terrific to be around. I could do a lot of work from home, but it fuels my energy to interact with and to talk to the people at the office. It is a very enriching environment to be a part of. I commute from Times Square, having just moved to New York from Paris. And I can now say I have lived in the two best cities in the world.”