We keep the Best Advice Q&A series going with Scott Dunn, president of Dunn Strategic Advisory and chairman of the Security Industry Association’s board of directors executive committee, who recently started his own advisory firm after more than 20 years with Axis Communications. He offers up the best advice he’s ever gotten, gives tips to the next generation of the security industry and shares the person who inspires him.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Scott Dunn: I got some great advice coming up in the industry. My good friend and colleague Howard Simpson said to me (paraphrasing here): “Always do right by your partners and customers. It may cost you in the short term, but in the long term, the good will come back to you.” I can tell you it’s a great way to live and work.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Dunn: Take initiative. I have counseled many young people in my past 30 years and, when they ask me how to succeed, I always tell them to go for it. If you see a need to fix something, then fix it. If you see an opportunity to innovate, then take it. If you work in a company or have a manager who discourages that, then you are working in the wrong environment.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers, “Make sure to listen to what they have to say,” whom would you pick and why?
Dunn: That’s an easy one for me since I have worked closely with him for the past 20 years. Fredrik Nilsson is a true leader, not only at Axis Communications but in the security industry. He has great insights and vision on not only the business side but the technical side on the future of security.
He is always happy to meet new people and both partners and competitors seek him out and listen to him. He is also is one of the funniest people you would ever meet as well.
Click here to check out the entire Best Advice series!
