On the RISE is a column by the Security Industry Association (SIA) in partnership with Security Sales & Integration profiling the next generation of security industry leaders. This column is part of SIA RISE, a community that fosters the careers of young professionals in the security through networking and career growth events, education and professional development offerings and scholarship and mentorship opportunities.

For this installment of “On the RISE,” the Security Industry Association (SIA) spoke with Nicole Rigby, team lead, distribution operations at Axis Communications.

Responses have been edited for clarity and style.

SIA: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career path.

Nicole Rigby: When I graduated college, I wasn’t fully sure what my career path would look like. I took an internship with a small family business in the food manufacturing industry while I earned my master’s degree. That was incredibly helpful for me because I got to learn various areas of business, such as research and development, accounting, finance, production, marketing and supply chain.

From there, I moved on to Axis Communications in demand and supply planning. I have a degree in economics but didn’t necessarily want to work in a bank or financial setting, so working on this team was a full circle moment for me.

Most of my experience at Axis has been with the sales and operations process with a focus on product launch/transition (rollover). Throughout my career, I’ve learned that I really enjoy relationship building and data analysis, two things I am very excited to focus on in my next role as team lead, distribution operations.

As of July 1, I began working with our distribution operations team, and I am eager to learn more and begin this next chapter in my career.

SIA: What first got you interested in security and safety as a career choice?

Rigby: I was first interested in Axis as a company. Their mission of “innovating for a smarter, safer world” drew me in, and learning about the value the security industry brings was a huge benefit. I’ve always felt passionate about helping others. Being in the security industry has been incredibly rewarding for me.

SIA: Who has influenced or mentored you — either within the security field or outside of it?

Rigby: I have been very lucky to connect with some incredible people during my time in the industry. I value personal connections and getting to know people on a deeper level, and I take a little bit of these influences with me everywhere I go. I have many great co-workers with differing perspectives, and I have learned from every interaction I have.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the leadership, support and encouragement of my first manager at Axis, Meghan Lanni. Meghan is a fantastic advocate for her team and is always able to find the perfect balance between pushing me and just listening.

One of the very first people I met at Axis was Steve Burdet. And, from him, I have learned the value of thinking outside the box and how to challenge the status quo. He has been a great mentor to me, and I really appreciate his perspective on both work and life.

I was in a formal mentorship program at Axis and created a lasting relationship with my mentor, Carl Trotzig. He has been an excellent sounding board and really encouraged me to think about the “why” when it comes to goals and development.

SIA: What’s something most people don’t know about you?

Rigby: I am a certified holistic health coach, and I am very passionate about health and wellness. I enjoy being of service and helping others, and, when I found myself starting my own health journey after college, I wanted to support others in theirs.

SIA: What are some challenges and advantages of being a young professional in security?

Rigby: For me, one of the challenges of being a young professional in security is the newness of it all. Everyone starts somewhere, right? Sometimes, starting or being new at something is the hardest part; however, there are many benefits that come with this, as well. A fresh perspective on a very well-established industry can go a long way. I think of a quote my director leans on often, “When we wake up in the morning, ask ourselves why we do what we do.” Sometimes it’s good to challenge the status quo and bring new ideas and ways of working.

SIA: What advice do you have for young professionals just starting out in the industry?

Rigby: Be curious! Ask questions and learn as much as you can along the way. Reach out to both seasoned industry veterans and newcomers and learn from their experiences and challenges.

SIA: What do you enjoy most about being at Axis Communications and in the security industry?

Rigby: The culture is absolutely what I enjoy most about Axis. We have a phenomenal group of people here, and I am always amazed at how open, driven and passionate my colleagues are. I enjoy the peace of mind and intelligence the security industry brings consumers. Whether it’s seeing a camera in a low-lit area at night or analytics to help solve crimes faster, I love seeing the value the industry brings to everyday life.

SIA: How do you define success?

Rigby: For me, success is enjoying what you do and putting in your best effort every day. Success is about fulfilment, being proud of yourself, your work and the life you build for yourself. More eloquently stated by Maya Angelou, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.”

SIA: How do you think the SIA RISE community can help foster the careers of young people in the industry? What does the program offer that is most important to you and Axis Communications?

Rigby: The SIA RISE community can help foster the careers of young professionals in the industry in a myriad of ways. Whether someone is early in their career or starting brand new in the security industry, there are tons of resources provided by RISE for learning.

Additionally, there is a great mentorship program, as well as a scholarship program created to support the education and career development goals of young professionals in the industry. For me, the leadership experience of RISE has been the most beneficial.

I have always been interested in leadership but needed to gain experience. Sitting on the RISE steering committee has given me leadership and project experience that has helped advance my career. It has also deepened my knowledge of the security industry, grown my network of fellow young professionals and given me opportunities to write and share my thoughts and passions.

SIA: What are some key components of your role with Axis Communications?

Rigby: A few key components of my role are leadership, inventory planning, forecasting and relationship building. It’s important to me that my team feels supported, guided and motivated to achieve goals and do their best every day.

We work in close partnership with our distributors to maintain proper inventory levels to support our channel. Data analysis is a key piece of my role as well; understanding sales trends and demand can help us better guide distribution orders and inventory strategies.

SIA: Prior to working in the industry, you held roles in sales, marketing and logistics. What were some of the top things you learned in these roles, and how did they help prepare you for your work in security and with Axis?

Rigby: I learned that content creation and digital marketing were not my forte. Even though I love photography, for me, it’s better as a hobby, not a job. All jokes aside, I did learn I really enjoy structure and processes. The logistics experience was my favorite. I got to spend time in the warehouse and learn about shipping, then coordinate trucks and work with outside vendors.

Finding my passion for problem solving and process improvement helped prepare me for Axis. I am a very caring person and have always wanted to find meaning in my work.

I learned that I needed a job where I felt like I was making a difference in people’s lives. I found this in the security industry, and I am very grateful to be able to work in an industry that positively impacts people’s lives and well-being every day.

SIA: What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you’ve seen with supply chain operations for Axis Communications and/or in the industry overall?

Rigby: The increase in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic was a big challenge for the security industry. We saw both orders and lead times reach incredibly high levels, while manufacturers throughout the supply chain struggled to keep up with the high demands.

Since then, we’ve seen supply and demand stabilize and lead times have returned to normal. This was a highly unpredictable time; however, it taught us many lessons and we have been able to strengthen our supply chain and ways of working, to mitigate any risk in the future.

SIA: What are some ways in which you think the security industry could foster more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?

Rigby: Sitting on DEI committees for both Axis and RISE has given me great perspective on all the positive initiatives these organizations are running, but there are still opportunities for improvement. The security industry could foster more diversity, equity and inclusion by continuing to evaluate processes, elevate marginalized voices and embrace change. A few examples of this could be reviewing benefits offerings, diversifying speakers at events or updating policies when needed.

SIA: What key challenges, opportunities and/or trends do you see as most important to the industry, or more specifically to those in the surveillance, audio and access space like Axis?

Rigby: The collection and management of data is a trend I’ve seen that will only continue to grow as time goes on. The data conversations lead to other topics such as cybersecurity, ethical use, analytics and artificial intelligence.

The opportunity to leverage data is huge; however, the challenge is making sure that is done ethically. At Axis, we are invested in bringing our customers innovative solutions, while ensuring our technologies are cyber-secure and following ethical use guidelines.

SIA: What has been the most rewarding accomplishment or experience in your career in the security industry?

Rigby: Two main experiences stick out to me the most. Early in my career at Axis, I was fortunate enough to spend two months at our global headquarters in Lund, Sweden, doing a research project on our product launch process.

This was rewarding not only because I got to make great connections with coworkers I work with virtually, but also because the knowledge I gained helped pave the way for process improvements for years to come. I pushed myself outside my comfort zone personally and professionally, and it will continue to pay dividends for both Axis and me.

Secondly, I had the opportunity to onboard a new distribution partner and manage the account. Things started off a bit rocky, with supply constraints and misaligned expectations. I was able to clear up some confusion and set clear expectations with our new partner that left everyone feeling more confident in the new venture.

This was incredibly rewarding because it involved problem solving, deviating from the norm and challenging conversations. Navigating all of this was difficult, but it resulted in a great relationship with partnership, respect and understanding.

SIA: What are your predictions for where the security industry may be headed in the next five to 10 years?

Rigby: In the next five to 10 years, we will see more focus and adaptation of AI and machine learning, as well as more robust safety measures when it comes to cybersecurity and privacy regulations.

SIA: You’ve written to our RISE community about mindfulness before. What role do you believe mindfulness and self-care play in a professional setting, and how can they help security professionals advance in their careers?

Rigby: I believe mindfulness and self-care play a huge role in every aspect of life, including in a professional setting. To me, it’s about taking care of yourself so you can show up as the best version of yourself every day, whether it’s at work or family events, in social settings or stuck in traffic.

Being in tune with yourself is incredibly important. It can contribute to career advancement and successes because the better you know and understand yourself, the better you can work towards your goals and passions.

Showing up for life with a full cup and well taken care of will give you more energy, better ways to manage stress and leave you feeling ready to take on your day. Start small, just make one or two positive changes and see what you notice!

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