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Brice Lenain's Exceptional Career Path: KEDGE graduate heads Microsoft's Global AI Sales Strategy
Entrepreneurial inspiration: The path of Brice Lenain, a kedger at Oracle then Microsoft
"Every day is a new adventure - from deciphering complex AI technologies to strategizing in the ever-changing digital landscape. It's like being in a tech movie, but better - it's real! "
🎓 From training to action
In 2005, Brice graduated from Paris-Sud University with a degree in electronics. He then broadened his skills with a degree in computer control systems from the University of Huddersfield in 2006. His thirst for knowledge led him to KEDGE Business School, where he obtained a Master's degree in Marketing and Strategic Management in 2009, followed by an MBA from Trinity College in 2013.
His professional career began at Sinovia from 2007 to 2009 and Circe Ingenierie from 2009 to 2010. He then joined Oracle, where he rose through the ranks to become Inside Sales Manager in 2011. With Microsoft since 2015, Brice was named Best Inside Sales Manager at Oracle in 2012 and received the Champion Award at Microsoft in 2022 and 2023.
🧠 Strategy and innovation: The keys to AI leadership
As Global Head of AI Sales Strategy at Microsoft, Brice demonstrated exceptional leadership. He led AI strategies, fostered team engagement, aligned solutions with customer objectives, and oversaw successful partnerships between sales, marketing, product and technical teams.
Brice has consolidated his expertise with certifications such as Microsoft Data Analyst Specialist, Azure AI Engineer Associate and Generative AI for Business Leader.
He attributes his success to perseverance and is proud to have played a crucial role in growing his team at Microsoft from 4 associates to 46, contributing significantly to the recruitment of successful colleagues to join the unit. He is also pleased to have worked closely with companies such asOpenAI.
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He was also recognized as the Best Inside Sales Manager at Oracle in 2012 and received the Champion Award at Microsoft in 2022 and 2023.
🏉 Rugby, more than a passion, a driving force
Outside of work, Brice is an avid rugby fan. His journey from the rugby pitches of Switzerland to a leadership role in sales illustrates how sport can equip individuals with significant strengths applicable in professional environments.
Through his involvement in rugby, including winning back-to-back championships with RC Nyon in 2016 and 2017, Brice has developed crucial skills such as resilience, teamwork and strategic thinking. These on-field experiences honed his ability to inspire, motivate and lead a team, qualities that easily transferred to his sales career.
In the competitive world of sales, Brice has used the skills he acquired through sport to cultivate a culture of excellence, resilience and strategic foresight. His approach to building strong team foundations and setting clear objectives mirrors the strategies used in rugby, demonstrating how the discipline, teamwork and perseverance learned in sport are invaluable in navigating the challenges of the corporate sphere.
This transition underlines the idea that the strengths developed through sport can greatly enhance leadership and performance in any professional field, demonstrating Brice's adaptability and the wide applicability of the skills he acquired through sport.
🚀 KEDGE, the decisive step
At KEDGE, I cultivated a managerial and team spirit, participating in collaborative projects that taught me the importance of cohesion and effective communication within groups. The school's entrepreneurial atmosphere encouraged me to take initiative and develop strong leadership skills, while the innovation courses pushed me to look for creative, forward-thinking solutions.
KEDGE prepared me to meet the challenges of the business world with a balanced managerial approach, emphasizing the importance of teamwork to achieve common goals. The entrepreneurial spirit instilled by the school has enabled me to successfully navigate my projects, while leadership and innovation have become pillars of my professional strategy.
📣 Maximize your potential, his advice to kedgers
The most valuable advice I can offer is to cultivate a spirit of enterprise, leadership and innovation right now. Get involved in projects you're passionate about, learn to work in a team and lead with empathy and confidence. Don't be afraid of failure, because it's often the prelude to great success.
