Global CEO Excellence 2017

28 CEO MONTHLY / GLOBAL CEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017 , Québec International’s mission is to contribute to the economic development of the Québec City metropolitan region and enhance its international status. As a regional economic development agency, Québec International fosters business growth and development, supports key clusters and attracts talent and investments to the area. Discussing his previous roles and how he arrived at the position of CEO, Carl lists his previous achievements. “Originally from Québec City, I received my bachelor’s degree in economics and a corporate governance certificate from Laval University. I also completed training programs in entrepreneurship (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), leadership (NTL Institute) and coaching (Niagara Institute). After nearly 20 years in the private sector, I then held managerial positions with various economic organizations, including as vice-president of Montreal International and Québec International is an economic development agency serving companies and investors. We invited Carl Viel, President and CEO to tell us more. 2017 Global CEO Excellence Awards winners’ magazine for Best International Trade & Development CEO & Excellence Award for International Recruitment Services – Canada general manager of Montreal InVivo.” For Carl, the challenges and opportunities he has faced during his time at Québec International, are “drivers to continue to improve our organization, to continue to rethink our “working” model, to adapt our approach to a changing environment and ensure that we’re addressing our evolving customer needs.” Under Carl’s leadership, international trade services and accompanying companies in their foreign market expansion where constantly adapted and outcomes measured in order to realign with business needs. The organization has also been recognized to their effective international talent recruitment. “Every year, our talent and international entrepreneur attraction team provides coaching services for hiring and onboarding talent, consultation services in international mobility and training activities for companies. However, in order to enhance and intensify our presence internationally, we have conducted three promotion and scouting missions for international entrepreneurs in Brazil and France. These missions allowed us to establish strategic partnerships and promote our regional business environment, and as such these markets will remain our ongoing focus moving forward.” Constant, consistent improvement is key to his and his organization’s success, believes Carl. “We’re working in global market, where everyone is trying to attract, train and retrain talent. Like many others we’re seeking new ways to stand out of the crowd, especially when everyone is offering the same selling benefit to attract talent. In the future we need to maintain a level of innovation to distinguish ourselves from competition and ensure that we operate with the highest standards.” “To achieve this goal, we need to continue to create a working environment where employees will learn and love what they’re doing and challenge themselves, and myself, to overachieve”