This month we want to introduce you to our VP of Business Development, Joël Parent. He joined us in early January of this year and is also Director of Marketing and Sales at IC Group. His life is full of great interests and awesome work experiences. Joël is 38 years old and has a brilliant mind, whether it’s applied to our industry, technology, gaming and his other interests. Being a top leader in the company does not make him a stuffed shirt! Read along and get to know one of our newer ICUC co-workers.
Snoo.ws: Joël, how long have you been involved in business strategy and planning, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Joël: It’s fun solving problems. Just like a game. If there were no problems, there would be no need for strategy at all. It’s satisfying the way a crossword puzzle is as you solve it and see how the solution meshes together. I’ve been solving business and project problems for over 17 years now and it doesn’t get old for me.
Snoo.ws: What does your position as VP of Business Development at ICUC consist of and what do you like most about working for ICUC?
Joël: I am responsible for revenue wherever our company can get it – whether through partnerships/collaboration, new business, marketing efforts or brute force. I’ve only been here a short time and my favorite thing about ICUC is above all the people – what a great group we work with. I don’t think I’ve run into anyone who hasn’t impressed me with their attitude and talent.
Snoo.ws: Social media is a big part of life for all of us at ICUC. What is your favorite platform and why do you like using it?
Joël: I am a rampant multi-disciplinarian, and fashion myself as a modern Renaissance man (even though that is an overused cliché, I still look up to people who seem to be good at everything). As such, I like using tools like Hootsuite and Buffer to broadcast useful information across all the major social networks. I am also somewhat of a speed-reader and love breezing through social streams and staying abreast of trends and seeing what friends and family are up to.
Snoo.ws: Tell us a little bit about your family and life outside of ICUC?
Joël: I have 4 kids (3 boys and a girl), so time spent with them is super important. Aged from 12 down to 3 years old we have a diversity of interests in our household (ballet, basketball, card & board games, PopCap games, tea parties, Nintendo, baseball, Minecraft). Mornings are pretty exciting in our house. My wife Nicola and I have been married for nearly 17 years, and we were high school sweethearts (we even went to Kindergarten together) – she’s still my best friend.
Snoo.ws: I took a look at your blog, titled simply, Joël Parent, and was impressed with how cool it looks, and by the obvious fact that you lead way more than a simple life. What are some you interests outside of work?
Joël: My outside work interests include: Coaching Baseball, Motion Graphics & Web development (Adobe Creative Suite), Squash (the racquet sport), hitting the gym 2-3 times a week for weights/cardio, Graphic novels, bleak science fiction, TV (Mad Men, Walking Dead), horror anthologies, cooking, renovation work (just finished my basement renovation), hold’em Poker, anything by Joss Whedon and video games (Xbox & PC).
Snoo.ws: We all have ways to de-stress and relax. As a gamer, what are your favorite platforms and games?
Joël: Love Real Time Strategy games (Dawn of War, Company of Heroes, Warcraft, StarCraft, Age of Empires, Age of Mythology), shooters (Halo 4, Borderlands 2), Dungeons/RPG (Diablo, Torchlight), Adventure (Assassin’s Creed, Witcher), Puzzle/Casual (Lumines, Bejeweled, Plants vs Zombies). I’m all over the place.
Snoo.ws: I believe we’re all a little wild at heart. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done (share a photo with us if you have one) and how did it make you feel?
Joël: Produced 2 Metal band music videos (for no money). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKqEt1J0yE And http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtsIECvX9PY . They got good play in North America on MTV and MuchMusic. Band eventually starved out though and quit. Would’ve felt better if I had gotten paid.
I hope all of you enjoyed getting to meet Joël and learn some interesting things about him. The metal band videos were certainly eye opening! lol Thanks for sharing Joël and welcome to ICUC, where you’re not alone with creative and sometimes quirky co-workers!
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