Why Axis in the Americas is an exciting place to work
November 28, 2024
Our Americas head region is made up of around 700 colleagues, covering 37 countries. To better understand how we work across such a wide and diverse region, we spoke to Fredrik Nilsson, VP Americas, and Oscar Renteria, Inside Sales, to get different perspectives on working across such an exciting and diverse region.
The Americas is our largest region, spanning Canada to Argentina, including the Caribbean Islands, and split into eight business areas. As a region with a strong focus on working closely with partners and end customers alike, it is today generating around 60% of the annual Axis revenue. Through close work with sectors like retail, education, and important critical infrastructure, we have built successful partnerships, making the Americas an exciting, thriving, and growing region to work in.
Explaining what it’s like to work across such a wide area, Fredrik, who is based at the Americas region HQ in the Boston area in MA (Chelmsford to be more specific), shares “Even though the Americas is a such a large region, we always think of ourselves as being one team. We make sure to give people time to network and have a good time and really become part of the larger Axis family.”
Fredrik Nilsson, VP Americas.
Culture of collaboration
When working across a continent as large as the Americas, collaboration is key to a smooth operation. Oscar explains “Collaboration is so important to us here, whether that’s for projects across single or multiple business areas, or between, for example, us here in Houston, Texas, and the Americas region HQ. We’re all very open that way. We have always fostered an open culture, which promotes people reaching out to others, of any title or department, and sharing a coffee or fika, to encourage the exchange of ideas and knowledge”.
Fredrik adds “Collaboration is such an important part of any successful sales organization. We have field sales colleagues out in the business areas who may be hours away from the nearest support colleague. Two thirds of our team in the Americas are based out of one of our 18 Axis Experience Centers (AECs), close to our customers and partners. The AECs are located from Santiago de Chile in the south, to Vancouver in the north with 14 throughout the US, and more planned for 2025 and beyond. The AECs are mainly a space for Axis to showcase our products and solutions and collaborate with partners and end customers. Additionally, the AECs are a great space for all employees to work closely as a team, building knowledge, bonds and collaboration”.
Diversity
Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is something that has always been a driving force across the region. From holding the first Women in Security Forum in 2019, which has since spun into a great initiative across the industry, to the DE&I committee on which Oscar sits.
“I have a lot of insights into some of the diversity initiatives Axis has implemented, such as our generational panel. We have folks here of all different backgrounds, creeds, and religions, and we always find ways to be respectful to each other”. It is through encouraging a diverse workplace that innovation can grow.
Alicia, Human Resources Business Partner at Axis
Americas.
Innovation
Our company vision is ‘Innovating for a smarter, safer, world’. “Innovation is the key word here,” says Oscar, “We’re always looking for new ways to be innovative, and that doesn’t just apply to our products and technologies, but to our ways of working as well.” Such is the importance of innovation across the company that the region grants a monthly Innovation Award. Any initiatives that could improve individual or departmental working situations are welcomed and awarded.
As a winner of the award Oscar explains “My colleague, Audra Radke, and I had an idea which we took our leadership team, and they allowed us to do a pilot. Our Business Area Director, Steve Stanberry, was happy with the results and not only let us roll it out across the entire business area, but also submitted it to the Innovation Awards, which we won. It goes to show, every idea is welcomed, and if it’s worthwhile the team here will let you pursue it.”
Fredrik adds “Another exciting initiative is based on the TV show ‘Shark Tank’. 62 ideas were submitted from across the region. My team and I are currently deciding on the top five that will be invited to speak to us, and the best proposal will get a $1000 prize. We’re very nice and friendly though, so we don’t call it Shark Tank, we call it Swedish Fish Tank.”
Considering a Career in the Americas?
Why should you consider joining Axis in the Americas? Fredrik encourages “We are a place for those who want to build a long-term career, with plenty of opportunities to grow, develop, and try new things. At Axis in Americas, we even have an Industry Relations team that empowers employees with tools and strategies to thrive and build their career and personal brand in the physical security industry, which is very rewarding. Are you ready to get engaged? Oscar adds “If you like working with amazing people and technology, who want to see you succeed at everything, then this is the place to be”.
Looking for a new challenge in an innovative, dynamic environment? Check out our career opportunities today!