Career and Growth

Ingredients to successful coaching

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Many organizations are discovering that the secret sauce to successful talent development is creating an effective coaching program — one that engages not only key talent but also drives strong organizational outcomes.

It is important to have a coach at every age - someone to help you reflect and bring out the best in you. Whether it is "sport" or work or personal, I am blessed to have had coaches throughout my career. To name a few, Jan Maarten van Duin (deceased, my father), Nick Jackson, Peter van Maurik, Barbara Johnson, Marti Pozzi, Robert Schriek and many others. These coaches believed in me and helped me to become a better version of myself.

Helping young women become more visible and nurturing them in their careers, and having diversity on the work floor is important to me. Paying it forward, I'm now giving insights and lessons learned in my career to young talent. I am a part of the Dutch network group "Topvrouwen.nl" (translated as Top woman) in the Netherlands. Realizing the importance of having more women at the top of the Dutch workforce, Topvrouwen.nl created portraits of 200 top females influencing workplaces. These 200 women are role models in their jobs who can make a difference for the next generation and be an inspiration source for (working) females.

There are many benefits of having a coach. The personal benefits of coaching are wide-ranging and can positively impact an individual's career if they engage with a coach in the right way. In my view, coaching can help boost confidence, improve work performance, and build effective communication skills.

Here are my ingredients to successful coaching:

Be motivated to change. The coachee that gets the most from coaching has a strong desire to learn and to grow.
Build good chemistry with the coach. The right match is key to the success of a coaching experience. Without it, the trust required for optimal performance will not develop and is a missed opportunity.
Establish and act toward achieving goals. Coaching allows the individual to define their career goals realistically. Set your goals and actively work towards them to increase the likelihood of achieving the goals.
Increase level of engagement. Coach engages coachee with its unique one-on-one feedback and lots of encouragement. With an increased level of engagement, the coachee can contribute more to the organization. This also helps with retention rates and productivity.
Create a Safe Place, Using the safe place for encouragement and development is essential. It allows for more in-depth learning and higher levels of comfort. Once the coachee is comfortable with their skills, they can begin to use them daily.
Deeper Level of Learning. Coaching isn't just about improving an individual's workplace skills; it takes learning to a deeper level. Through coaching, a coachee can learn more about themselves, find out how others perceive them, and improve on areas of their personalities that they are not satisfied with.
Build Personal Awareness. A coach can give their coachee ideas to improve themselves. More importantly, they can help them become aware of their blind spots. Once the coachee is aware of these areas, they can work with the coach to improve them.

Interested to learn how Equinix can support your career journey? Check out open roles here.

Life at Equinix: We are on a mission to connect the world!

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 19:00:00 +0000

I joined Equinix in Nov 2010 at our Sunnyvale, California office. As I continued to learn about Equinix's core business model and its ability to connect the world with its robust digital infrastructure, it blew my mind! With 220+ datacenters in 26+ countries, customers can create instant physical and virtual connections to a dynamic global ecosystem of nearly 10,000+ companies, each adding new connections on our platform faster than the next 10 providers combined. In short, Equinix is "Internet's Biggest Landlord" as quoted by Wall Street Journal.

Over the last decade, I got to work on new technologies, new business domains, new products and best of all, I got to collaborate with the best people around the world! In late 2018, I got an opportunity to relocate to Equinix Singapore, to work with our customers & employees in the region.

Before I joined Equinix, I worked as a technology lead at leading technology firms in the US and India to design and develop software applications.

What are you currently working on?

I lead a team of technologists to build software applications on web/mobile platforms and programmable systems (APIs) to help customers consume Platform Equinix products and services. We are on a mission to create a developer ecosystem for the world's digital infrastructure leader where one can consume Equinix products & services via digital channels and further innovate to deliver value to end consumers.

What makes you happy at work and keeps you excited about future of Equinix?

Reaching that "aha" moment during the mind-storming sessions with customers excites me. Being a thought leader during customer presentations & demos, helping them realize the platform Equinix value and driving the next big thing around Developer ecosystems gives me immense motivation to keep going!

How have you developed in your role since joining Equinix?

Starting as a software engineer to leading a team of professionals today as Director of Engineering, is possible only with a people focused organization like Equinix. Equinix leadership always provided timely & professional level training like Management foundations, Gartner Leadership program, Emotional Intelligence and BetterUp Coaching and also encouraged to contribute to global initiatives like Diversity & Inclusion, Wellness, Equinix Impact, etc. that helped me and many of my colleagues to grow both professionally & personally.

How are the products your team is developing helping to make an impact?

My team & I are constantly innovating the way customers & partners consume platform Equinix products & services digitally. We are building programmatic channels and mobile apps that helps customers & partners to automate, integrate and accelerate their digital businesses. This not only helps our customers and partners to improve their operational efficiency to save cost but also helps them to scale & differentiate themselves in the market.

What would be your top tip for someone new joining Equinix?

“Be Authentic and remember attitude is everything”. To standout in the interview, show that you are hungry for the opportunity, be clear on “Why Equinix?” and be yourself.

What are the exciting technologies that you and your team are working on?

At Equinix, we work on the latest and greatest technology stacks promoted in the open source community. Few key technologies are Cloud native apps, API Gateways, Event, Message & Restful API architecture, Mobile Apps (iOS & Android), Containers, applying DevOps Principles for Continuous Integration & Delivery, Agile delivery models, Public Cloud Platforms like Azure, AWS, Google.

How would you describe the culture within your team?

"Customer first" mindset, "Can do" attitude, "Open & transparent" dialogues, "Work Smart, Play Hard" belief!

What is the most challenging part of your job?

For me, staying on top of stakeholder's management within a growing organization is challenging. I have always depended on support from colleagues, team members and leadership team, and I'm happy to say the team always has showed up in need.

What do you enjoy about working for Equinix?

In simple words, "The Magic of Equinix". I would say Equinix puts customers and employees at the center of everything we do! The opportunity to work across the globe with diverse employees on the initiatives that has positively impacted customers and the community, is something magical for me!

Equinix Interns Offer Fresh Perspectives on Advanced Technologies

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Spring semester at universities worldwide proved difficult this year, with the spread of COVID-19 forcing professors and students to shelter in place and shift abruptly to online learning. Although some welcomed working from home, others found the transition difficult.

The shift to remote work also raised questions for students accepted to participate in the Equinix internship program. Would the internship go forward? If so, how would interns get to know their manager, team and fellow interns and work together effectively from a distance?

With our focus on enabling digital business around the globe, Equinix was more than ready to help our remote workers, including interns, meet the challenges. Our University Relations team provided interns with the tools and equipment they would need for a successful summer internship at locations worldwide.

According to Yun Freund, Senior Vice President, Platform Architecture and Engineering, “Interns are the future of our workforce. The interns not only bring in a fresh perspective on the advanced technologies from named universities, but also we as a company can share with them the important skills they need to thrive in their future workplace. Not only can these young and talented interns make an impact and drive real-world outcomes for Equinix, they are also the future of our workplace.”

We recently spoke with three interns who joined Equinix remotely this summer from their homes across the globe to work in product engineering and product management.

Feeding a desire to learn

You’ll have to lace up your running shoes if you plan to keep up with Tarunam Mahajan. After completing undergraduate studies in India, she spent three years as a network engineer for a mobility provider, meeting one-on-one with field engineers from a major telecom operator at locations in the Chicago area. Together they integrated the telecom’s hardware at each location with the mobility software and optimized the network so that the parts worked together efficiently.

Now 26 and a graduate student in engineering management at Duke University, she brought her self-starter spirit to Equinix. “Product engineering is a domain that requires a lot of understanding of technologies and of how a product is built,” she said, speaking from her Santa Clara dining table, a microwave beeping nearby. “I always want to learn more. And there’s a lot to learn here.”

Working over Zoom, email and Microsoft Teams with manager Suraj Dasika, Director, Product Software Architecture and Engineering, Tarunam began her internship in May. Her primary project was helping colleagues on three teams plan and visualize their processes, streamline their work and establish a monthly release cadence for Equinix SmartKey®.

This global secure key management and cryptography service is the first Software as a Service (SaaS) product from Equinix, said Tarunam. “SaaS is different than colocation, and it’s opening us up to new opportunities.”

She met regularly over Zoom with the teams working on the project, including the network operations team, the documentation team and the Fortanix partner team—15 people all told—to track each element of proposed software updates and each team’s progress against targets. “It’s a unique framework,” she said, and she loved all the collaboration.

Tarunam gave this advice for a successful internship: “Overcommunicating is the key: ‘I did this, I am now moving to this.’ Or I just talked and let my manager and mentor know what I was engaged with. They’ve been super supportive and provided me with open space to ask as many questions as possible.”

Gaining confidence to work on large projects

“Before I started this internship,” said Zachary Cooper, speaking from the kitchen table in his Tempe, Arizona, apartment, “I had only a very general idea of what it would mean to be at Equinix. But it’s been something I could not even have dreamed of.”

He chose computer science at Arizona State University because the field constantly changes: “It’s never going to get stale. It’s never going to be the same work.” The 21-year-old said his Equinix internship has given him the confidence to take the building blocks he learned in classes and apply them to real-world projects.

Since joining the Sunnyvale product engineering team remotely in late May, he’s participated in several projects. Working with Sudhanva Gnaneshwar, Senior Manager, Product Software Architecture and Engineering, Zachary began with a data analytics project, studying port utilization for customers.

Unsure how to get started, the intern learned by asking “a million annoying questions” of his manager, mentor and colleagues. He also provided regular feedback about challenges he was facing or things he didn’t quite understand. “If you have questions about the UX or the back end, people will just talk with you.”

He’s learned that a project “starts with a big monolithic idea, and you break it down into pieces.” Zachary is now working on microservices development, developing RESTful APIs for Equinix Cloud Exchange Fabric® (ECX Fabric®), which interconnects data center locations on demand via software-defined interconnection.

He explained, “Two weeks ago, I couldn’t even imagine working on this latest project. But I understand how to do this now, and I could do this on my own. Deep down all I needed to do was to throw myself at it. And I’m learning so much.”

Zachary is particularly pleased that the Equinix projects he’s worked on will continue to be useful even after he’s gone back to school. “I feel like I matter,” he said.

Helping to connect customers

“Initially when I started,” said 21-year-old product engineering intern Vivian Lee, seated in the living room of her parents’ Singapore apartment, “I wasn’t sure what I would be doing. I knew I would be doing testing, but I didn’t know what I would be using.” Already familiar with C++, C and Java programming, Vivian joined the Equinix customer apps team in the Singapore Global Development Center (GDC) in May, working entirely from home. Mohit Mathur, Senior Manager, Product Software Architecture and Engineering, and her other colleagues welcomed her warmly, if remotely, from homes in the area.

Daily meetings quickly helped her get oriented. “If I have any questions, I just ask. We use Microsoft Teams for meetings and the voice app for phone calls. For questions, I just message them.” She describes her colleagues as “really nice and friendly. People reply really quickly anytime I ask them something.”

Vivian’s main project has been writing reliability testing code for the Equinix Customer Portal (ECP) app, where customers can place orders, get reports and manage their interconnections. “It’s already on mobile for iOS and Android,” she said, “but the team wanted to rewrite the whole app using a new language, Flutter, writing one code base that would work for both platforms.”

Testing app reliability is crucial, helping the company deliver a solution that works consistently and lets users get things done efficiently. Vivian credits her manager and colleagues for their support: “When I realize something is wrong, I just ask one of the team members and he will guide me.”

She found learning Flutter easy because it uses Dart, a programming language similar to C++ and Java: “It has similar syntax and supports object-oriented programming. That helps to structure the whole project. It was like I saw something familiar, and it was actually quite nice—I could apply something I learned in school to what I do in my internship.”

Vivian looks forward to continuing her internship for several more months, perhaps extending her code into another app. She’ll continue her university studies online during the pandemic, and hopes to be working happily in software engineering once she graduates.

Social and connected across the company

The interns within the product organization met weekly in smaller groups to talk about their projects. Interns who wrote code for products worked closely with their manager and product team to learn best practices, review API standards and gain access to documentation, with code reviews in scrum calls over Zoom or Teams.

Support for this summer’s interns included a weekly Zoom meeting led by the University Relations team. Interns could talk about how they were doing and what they needed help with.

They also met remotely for career-building webinars, such as resume writing and use of social media for professionals; lunch-and-learn events with guest speakers like President and CEO Charles Meyers and CFO Keith Taylor; virtual coffee breaks and happy hours; and team games with prizes, such as an Equinix trivia competition.

“The University Relations team really made the effort,” said Zachary Cooper. “They’ve worked hard to make this program really great.”

The original article was published here.

Planning for the Future on International Data Center Day

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Data underpins nearly everything we do today. As more of that data is being stored off-premises in data centers, and the workloads that process them are themselves more often executed in data centers, data centers underpin nearly everything we do in our digital lives. And, of course, our digital lives now encompass a very substantial part of our total lives – from work to school to health to shopping and entertainment. The global pandemic has made it plain that, in a time of social distancing, data centers are essential to keeping the world going.

In light of this, as we celebrate the third annual International Data Center Day today, which is focused on “planning for the future,” I think it’s important for people to have a better understanding of the trends shaping our industry – how data centers are evolving over time, design innovations and the growing need we have for talent.[i]

How data centers evolved over time

During the late 1990s when the internet was just beginning to scale, large telecommunications carriers needed connection points to exchange traffic. We opened our first Equinix International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data center near Washington D.C. (DC1) on July 29, 1999 to provide just that – a neutral, equal-access location for traffic exchange. As we continued to work with network service providers (NSPs) to build out these carrier-neutral IBX data centers across the globe, other service providers and enterprises began to follow as they wanted to place their services closer to each other and population centers for better performance. In most cases, this meant providing retail colocation space, but some of the largest customers, those we now call “hyperscale” companies, needed wholesale space and power to support massive scaling across thousands of servers.

Today, Platform Equinix® spans more than 220 data centers across 26 countries and is home to a rich digital ecosystem of more than 10,000 businesses, including more than 1,800 networks and 2,900+ cloud and IT service providers. Our recently completed Equinix DC21 Ashburn data center is just steps from DC1 and provides an additional 41,657 sq. ft. of colocation space. And that’s just one building on the Ashburn campus, one of the biggest data center markets in the world.

Equinix DC21 IBX data center

Developing the data centers of the future

But growing demand for data center capacity isn’t the only thing driving our industry. As discussed in “The Data Center of the Future Begins in France,” additional forces such as rapid growth in smaller metros, workloads moving to the edge and increasing urgency to move to climate neutrality are beginning to shape how we develop the data centers of the future. These are fueling a need for:

Modularity – A broad range of form factors is key to meeting the very different needs of customers. In addition to traditional retail colocation data centers and hyperscale data centers, we are building smaller facilities with a modular design to address the needs of Tier 2 cities and edge workloads.

Flexibility – Today’s data centers need to be flexible enough to adapt to changing customer needs. New cooling systems that allow for greater variations in cabinet power densities allow us to accommodate customers with higher power density requirements more easily. And services such as Equinix Metal™ and Equinix Fabric™ enable our customers to deploy and connect physical or virtual infrastructure on demand in minutes.

Efficiency – A mix of capital investments, energy efficient systems, sustainable data center design and other best practices have enabled us to lower our current annual Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) goals to 1.20-1.44, depending on climate, and we are researching solutions that can help us drive PUE down even further, moving closer to 1.0. At the same time, we are exploring future data center innovations such as decoupled energy platforms that can support multiple energy sources, energy storage and virtualized power delivery that will further improve efficiency and sustainability.

Sustainability – With a comprehensive environmental sustainability plan in place, along with additional environmental commitments made recently, we are on a steady march toward climate neutrality and scaling our purchasing of renewable energy to reach our goal of using 100% clean and renewable energy for our global platform.

How Equinix is inspiring the next generation of data center professionals

For me, one of the most exciting aspects of the evolution of data centers is how we are helping enterprises accelerate their digital transformation so they will be in a better position to meet future challenges. Whether those challenges are strategic, like improving speed to market for business growth, or tactical, like meeting surging demand for compute or network resources, our customers know that flexible, modern digital infrastructure will help them address those needs. And having an agile IT infrastructure also means they are more resilient when faced with unexpected hurdles, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or natural or manmade disasters that might impact operations.

However, to continue to grow, data center operators like Equinix need more skilled professionals to staff and maintain our facilities. According to research by Uptime Institute, 50% of data center operators reported having difficulty finding qualified candidates for open jobs in 2020, compared to 38% in 2018. And demand for data center staff is expected to continue growing – a minimum of 300,000 additional professionals are needed by 2025 just to maintain “safe operations.”[ii]

In fact, in the Americas where I lead IBX Operations, Equinix has more than a dozen active late-stage projects to construct new data centers or expand existing ones, and we have even more active late-stage projects in other regions. Equinix is not alone in this – as the industry adds capacity around the world, it is deepening the gap between staff needed to accommodate data center growth and talent available.

This gap is one reason International Data Center Day is important. At Equinix, we sponsor a number of programs to encourage people to consider a career in data center management and help train them for a variety of positions. These include:

Equinix Digital Infrastructure Scholarship: A pilot program we are launching this spring, this scholarship will provide high school seniors an opportunity to work toward employment at Equinix. It includes a scholarship for a one-year engineering technology program at a Northern Virginia college,[iii] as well as the opportunity to participate in an Equinix mentorship and 12-week paid internship. If it’s successful, we plan to expand this to other regions.

Pathways: In 2020, we hired 90 new employees through Pathways, a program designed to bring employment opportunities to underrepresented talent communities, including people with disabilities, women of color, members of the military and spouses, and more.

Career development: We sponsor various career mentoring programs for young people such as career sessions for high school students in San Jose, New York, Madrid and Hong Kong, as well as job shadowing for a day in Loudoun County, Virginia. Equinix also supports career pathways programs in Hong Kong and Dallas.

Virtual Job 4 A Day with Equinix for Loudoun County Public School students (March 2021)

Jon Lin, Americas President at Equinix, mentoring Loudoun County Public School students in 2018

Loudoun County Public School students in Job 4 A Day with Equinix in 2018

New York Summer Search (2016)

[i] 7×24 Exchange International, International Data Center Day website.

[ii] Network World, Data-center training, recruitment need to change to meet staffing demands, Feb 2021; Uptime Institute, The People Challenge: Global Data Center Staffing Forecast 2021-2025; Data Center Dynamics, Data centers need to find 300,000 more staff by 2025, Jan 2021.

[iii] Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), Data Center Operations curriculum.

The original article was published here.

What Equinix's Career Transition Program Means To Me

Thu, 06 May 2021 19:00:00 +0000

I have worked at Equinix for 11 years now, and I currently lead our Operations recruitment team in EMEA, hiring staff for Equinix’s data centres across Europe and the Middle East. Historically this has meant working tirelessly to find Mechanical & Electrical Engineers and Cabling Technicians with experience working in a data centre. However, at the start of 2020, it became very clear that we were going to need to do something differently. There was hot competition for the best talent, and we wanted to diversify our workforce to leverage new skills and approaches to the roles.

We started to explore the idea of bringing in people from unrelated industries. We had seen some small-scale success with this before - one example of this was a colleague who joined us on a short placement when leaving the Armed Forces and never left, thankfully! We soon realised that an idea we had for a short-term hiring program in could actually transform the way we hire globally – and we haven’t looked back! We quickly found ourselves deep in a global program build, which was a first for me, and The Equinix Career Transition Program was born, as a formal pathway to join Equinix with no data centre experience or knowledge. We partnered with an external training provider to support people with this move and ensure we are setting them up for a successful career with us.

What we hadn’t predicted was that as soon as we began our global build, a global pandemic was going to come along and change everything. It quickly became apparent that we were in an extremely fortunate position in that we were still actively hiring across the globe, whereas this sadly wasn’t the case for many industries. We made the decision to focus our efforts on promoting the program within industries hardest hit, to ensure people that had faced redundancy were aware of the career paths Equinix could offer them. We partnered with companies in the aviation and automotive industries, as well as holding information webinars about how to launch a career at Equinix. I can honestly say I am so proud to work for an organisation that fully supports these initiatives. Being able to adapt our program to support those out of work gave me such great job satisfaction. I felt like in my own small way I was able to make a positive difference in what has been the hardest time many of us will have faced in our lives to date.

Since the program launched formally launched in August 2020, we have seen huge success globally, more than we ever dreamed of for the first six months! People have joined us from the military, aviation, automotive, hospitality and many more industries. Our partners in the business are relishing seeing their teams diversify in many ways. We are looking forward to opening the program out to several different job types in the future, so watch this space!

Of course the launch of the Career Transition Program was not always easy. We were determined to launch a globally consistent program and as such had many conversations at all hours of the day and night with our colleagues and partners across the globe. Training needs differ, languages differ and the minimum requirements for each role differ slightly, but by working as one team we were able to come up with solutions, and we’re still learning as we go. I’m not even adding lockdown and home schooling to this list of challenges, but needless to say I’m still having nightmares about phonics! Whether educating my children or building the Career Transition Program has given me more grey hairs in the last year it’s hard to tell, but the hair salons are back open in the UK now so no one ever need know!

I am so excited and humbled to have been at the heart of this idea from the very beginning and so thankful to colleagues and leaders within Equinix for supporting us as a team to achieve our goals. I couldn’t be any prouder to have been a part of this, and am so excited about what is to come.

Life at Equinix: From broadcasting to cloud

Wed, 12 May 2021 19:00:00 +0000

At Equinix, I manage the Global Solution Architecture team in APAC, based in Hong Kong. Our goal is to guide our customers on the possibilities the Equinix Platform can offer.

Career Pivot
I came to Equinix from the television broadcasting industry in 2018. I ran the APAC Professional Services team for a vendor to television stations across the region. Customers in the broadcasting industry were looking for solutions that addressed problems such as:

Faster time to market with more flexible solutions to respond to changing demands-think being able to temporarily spin up a new TV channel dedicated to the Olympics, for instance.
Cost reduction – implementing more automation to allow more services to be supported by the same staffing or equipment levels.
Changing consumption models – On-demand and catch-up TV models and revenue opportunities arising from new advertising methods, viewer interactivity, and targeted advertising analytics to ensure advertising was presented to the target demographic.

So, while I had been working in a different industry, the business drivers that bring customers to Equinix were familiar to me.

Starting from scratch
Changing industries is always a challenge. You need to learn new skillsets, markets, but one of the more challenging aspects is the new vernacular that everyone is using.

You can find yourself on the sidelines of conversations very quickly until you get up to speed with this, which was certainly the case for me.

I had expected this and was very upfront about what I did and did not know. I would-and still do- ask questions or have offline clarification sessions with people afterward to speed up my onboarding. This is where Equinix's strong collaborative culture benefited me.

Additionally, I also embarked on studying for the baseline certifications for each of the Cloud Service Providers, which helped bring me up to speed with their product offerings and their own terminology.

#InService Attitude
I mentioned above that changing industries is always a challenge; however, at Equinix, everyone has been exceedingly patient and generous with their time whenever I've asked for clarifications on anything.

I'm fortunate to be working in a team of people passionate about technology and the industry, and are excited about sharing their knowledge. I've also had a tremendous amount of support for any initiatives we have wanted to implement.

One thing that surprises most people who join is how accessible the Executive team and other senior leaders are. To anyone. Even as large as Equinix is now, it still feels like the biggest little company I've come across.

Tips on starting a career in tech
My number one tip is being able to tell a story that connects with the audience. Being the most knowledgeable person in a technical field isn't overly valuable if you cannot relate how that technology can help a customer with their business problems. This sounds obvious, but the difference between a good and a great Solution Architect is very rarely in technical knowledge; it's how they relate that knowledge.

Similarly, you want to make sure you have a personal development program that maps out your learning and growth path, so you ensure you finish a quarter more capable than you began it.

Be curious and brave enough to ask for advice. I've never met anyone who wasn't willing to help someone who approached them with some well-thought-out questions, looking for advice.

Interested to learn how Equinix can support your career journey?

We are hiring solutions architects! Check out open roles.

The original article was published here.

Life at Equinix: Building my career in the digital world

Wed, 12 May 2021 19:00:00 +0000

After I graduated from the university, I joined Equinix in 2016 as the first data center field engineer hired for the launch of the fourth Sydney data center (SY4). Over the past five years, a wide range of customers, from clouds, subsea cable to networks, enterprises moved into SY4, creating a rich ecosystem. I see the first rack on day 1 to full capacity today. In November 2019, we opened a new facility, SY5, to meet the growing demand for interconnection and colocation services.

Working in Equinix has been an incredible experience for me, both personally and professionally. I have been promoted numerous times throughout my career at Equinix, from Field Engineer, Sales Transaction Coordinator to Sales Engineer. It allows me to explore the business from different perspectives and move outside my comfort zone to better myself and those around me.

Enabling what matters

I am currently working on cage design to provide the right cage and server cabinet solutions to meet customer requirements for physical security and power usage, allowing quickly deployable interconnections.

Our data center platform is a neutral place where competing networks could connect and share data traffic, which makes us play a key enabler for digital businesses. My time at the company has helped me align with our customers' needs, and I appreciate that our role is to deliver exceptional services to our customers, which all starts by understanding their needs.

Whenever I walk around IBXs and see the team transfer my design to reality, I feel accomplished. It's a place where I improve my skill set, contribute to the greater good, and collaborate with other awesome people.

Growing through mentoring and work

Over the past 5 years, I've been lucky enough to get hands-on experience with many aspects of our business, from physically running connections in the form of cross connects, creating paper orders, and proposing appealing solutions to customers.

I joined Equinix Women Leadership Network (EWLN) mentoring program which is indeed a fantastic learning experience. This is a great opportunity to connect with a colleague in the our EWLN community who can offer support and guidance within my current role and with future career aspirations. Mentoring is a learning journey for both the mentor and the mentee, and I would encourage each of you to consider signing up to share your experiences and become a mentor.

Community and belonging

Our leaders are working hard to increase diversity. Closing the gender gap for women is essential because technology is not just about selling a solution - it’s about connecting to enterprises and end-users. Having a diverse team enables you better to understand a range of perspectives and connect with the customers.

As the only one from Asia in my team and leveraging my Chinese background, I can give our team insights into the business and cultural environment to equip my peers with exploitation opportunities for Australia in the growing Chinese market.

Inclusion - We act on it

My team members always question if our status quo is good enough or an opportunity to improve. We ask questions, challenge the current mindset to reinvent and streamline further.

Let people "own" their ideas

Everyone is encouraged to contribute during meetings. Attendees are assigned to specific duties for the meeting to ensure we are involved. Feedback and questions are sought to make meetings interactive. We also dedicate time to share what we are working on and what we have learned during our weekly team meeting.

Foster workplace friendships

Give people a chance to discuss non-work things, like weekend plans or something they're excited about. Bringing good feelings into the office can foster more good feelings within four walls.

Become culturally competent.

There are many opportunities that allow us to learn about different cultures, races, religions, and backgrounds represented by our colleagues. We ask our coworkers to share some of the customs and practices associated with their cultures. We also hosted Equinix's World Food Day, where we celebrated cultural diversity by making or bringing in something yummy from our backgrounds.

Are you looking to join Equinix? Here are my top interview tips

Answer questions with examples.

Instead of saying how you'd bring improvements and ideas to the team and company, show how you'd do it. It is not only an unexpected way to display your skills, but it shows your ability to think on the spot. Using examples is one of the best ways to craft a story that will resonate with people.

Research the company.

Researching your prospective company helps you answer questions about the company you're interviewing with. Review the organization's mission statement, history, and target audience to give yourself more confidence to provide a clear and concise response. Pull information from the company's website or published articles in trade publications.

The original article was published here.

Interested to learn how Equinix can support your career journey?

We are hiring Sales engineers across the globe. Check out open roles.

Employee Spotlight - Priscilla, Data Center Technician

Thu, 13 May 2021 19:00:00 +0000

We caught up with Priscilla, who works as a Data Center Technician at Equinix in Amsterdam and joined Equinix via our Career Transition Program.

Priscilla, tell us, how did you get involved in technology?

My mother had Hodgkins and received radiation for it. Therefore, working as a radiologist looked very interesting to me. Apart from the fact that it is a medical career, you are also very involved with the equipment. This is probably what fascinated me the most, and the reason I went into ICT. Taking computers and laptops apart, naming all the parts, and then putting them together again is one of the things I find most interesting. Especially if you can then also ensure that the equipment works perfectly and you can install the drivers.

Now we are really curious about what your position entails, could you maybe tell us a bit more about it?

I currently work as an IBX data centre technician at Equinix. In this function, I am responsible for maintaining the fibre and UTP connections, and to install new connections. In addition to this, we are also responsible for the quality and quantity of our clients' servers. For example, we perform power cycles for our clients on request, but we also expand the data storage for clients by placing extra DIMMs in their servers.

Sometimes it is possible that a client can no longer connect to a particular connection. In that case it is my task to detect the problem and to rectify it.

What does your typical day at work look like?

A day shift starts at 07:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. Equinix works with a ticket system. During this shift, we work with eight colleagues to solve clients' service requests. Clients submit a ticket, which is a service request with specific tasks and requests. We queue these requests. The requests vary between cross-connects, smart hands, uninstallations and migrations.

A cross-connect is the installation of a fibre or UTP connection between the client and the requested end point. A smart hand can be a simple power-cycle where power cables are unplugged for a short period, but it can also be an elaboration of an entire client-cage. It is also possible that a client ordered equipment, and asks us to fit and install it in their cage.

Around 11:30 AM, we have a half an hour break. The start time can vary per location. At my location, we are served lunch. Every month we pay a small amount in exchange for fresh sandwiches, hot snacks, fruit and drinks during lunch.

Around 3:00 PM, the colleagues working night shift arrive and the tasks are transferred. A handover is used for this. This states which tickets are due to expire and which must be done on a specific date and time so that the next shift is not faced with surprises.

Apart from training, what skills are needed for your position?

First of all, it is important to have an affinity for technology, and especially for computers and servers. If you do not have this, the knowledge will not stick and it will become difficult to perform your duties. In addition to this, Equinix is an international company and English is spoken with most clients and the service desk. It is thus very important that you are fluent in English. It's also important to have a sense of humour!

In addition to this, Equinix offers various courses after the end of your probation period to continue developing further, and to polish your existing knowledge. For example, a course about fibreglass.

What have been the biggest successes in your career?

Moving between employers due to an injury. I started with military training, but after a few weeks, I developed tibial inflammation. I had to stop the course to go for rehabilitation. This rehabilitation period lasted longer than expected, so I ended up sitting at home and looking for another job. I started looking both inside and outside the military for vacancies and eventually found Equinix. My success? That I could eventually look further into what I could do, and no longer looked at what I could not do due to my injury. Regardless of this, I will always regret not having been able to have a military career.

If someone, after reading your story, also wants to pursue a career in technology, what do they have to do?

First look within the technology sector where your interest lies and what you like. There are many different careers within the technology industry. When necessary, ask the companies if it is possible to tag along with someone for a day or a week, so that you can gain first hand experience about the company and find out whether this particular company really fits you.

It's important not to be afraid to enter a man's world! Personally, I have been welcomed with open arms, and they were specifically happy to have a woman join the team. Equinix is committed to building diverse teams.

What do you deem important to get started in technology?

First try and find out what interests you within the sector. Ask for information if you want to know more about something. If you are uncertain, try something, and if it is not for you, you can move on.

Finally, do you have any advice you can give to people who want to work in the technology industry?

Just go for it. You are free to choose your own career. Show those men that you can do what they do!

In partnership with Vrouwen in de techniek

Working Toward a Brighter Future

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 19:00:00 +0000

It is impossible to look forward without recognizing the events of the past 18 months and the lasting impact they have made around the world. The global COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the way we live and work. During this challenging time, one of the things that has grounded me and, I believe Equinix as a company, has been our corporate commitment to be “In Service To” each other, to our customers, partners, shareholders, and to the communities in which we live and operate. In particular, our dedication to put the interests and wellbeing of our employees and customers at the center of everything we do has been a guiding light as we make our way to a brighter future.

In my recent post, “Redefining the Way We Work,” I talked about how the Equinix culture embraces a “we before me” mindset that reflects a collective commitment to drive meaningful, sustainable progress for Equinix and the world. By holding fast to that mindset, we have been able to move forward during this period of uncertainty and achieve some milestones that are—as our CEO and President Charles Meyers expressed perfectly —“both exciting and humbling.”

As our global customers accelerated their digital transformation agendas during the pandemic, we had the opportunity to be there for them in new ways. We expanded our data center footprint, brought new interconnection-led product innovations to market and continued to grow our vibrant digital ecosystems so our customers could interact, transact and build new value. And the industry is taking note. Forbes CIO NEXT 2021 recognized our CIO, Milind Wagle, as one of the top tech executives who is redefining the CIO role and driving game-changing innovation (published April 2021). Milind was cited for his data center innovations, including developing data-driven models that can more accurately forecast customer usage patterns and associated power needs, enabling Equinix to better predict when individual data centers will hit capacity limits.

It is this commitment to continuously improve and blaze new trails for our customers that has made Equinix the trusted global platform of choice for digital leaders. As a testament to our customer-centric business model, for the first time in our company’s history, Equinix has ranked on the list of FORTUNE 500 companies at #461. This honor follows our recognition earlier this year as one of the Fortune’s 2021 “Most Admired Companies,” based on criteria that includes investment value, quality of management and products, social responsibility, and the ability to attract talent.

Another thrilling honor was our recognition as the 2021 Datacloud Global Award for the Data Center Provider of the Year by BroadGroup™ for our hyperscale xScale™ data centers. A panel of 34 independent industry experts spotlighted Equinix for demonstrating that “enabling businesses to innovate never stops.” They went on to say that, “Giving a connected data center platform is not enough anymore to quickly localize infrastructure, the market requires data center providers to be an innovation partner, bringing new ideas to the table and supporting the implementation in a dynamic digital ecosystem. This requires not only hard work, dedication and passion but also forward-thinking and anticipation of future needs.”
As our global customers accelerated their digital transformation agendas during the pandemic, we had the opportunity to be there for them in new ways."

Moving our employees forward

Importantly, all that we have achieved as a business is underpinned by the strength of our culture. At Equinix, we strive to enable our employees to bring their whole selves to work, able to confidently say “I’m safe, I belong and I matter.” Across the countries where we do business, we are honored to be recognized as a “Best Company to Work for” garnering recognition across the UK, Spain, Finland and Poland. This award honors companies with a strong employee commitment who see workplace engagement as a vital part of organizational success. In the U.S., we were honoured this month to be named by the Washington Post as one of the Top 2021 Workplaces in the D.C. area for the second time, after being named to the list in 2020. This award highlights companies in the D.C. area with the highest ratings from their employees.

I am also extremely excited to announce that our CEO and President, Charles Meyers has recently been named a Top CEO by Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites. The annual award highlights the Top CEOs in several countries throughout North America and Europe. CEO approval ratings are gathered through Glassdoor’s online company review survey, which gathers current and former employee sentiment about job and company satisfaction, the work environment and the culture. Employees are asked to rate a number of workplace factors like compensation and benefits as well as work-life balance, and asked whether they approve, disapprove or are neutral about the job their CEO is doing. In addition, employees are asked to describe some of the upsides and downsides of working for the company and provide any advice for senior management.

I am so appreciative of the commitment and energy our global employees show our customers, partners and each other each day—that is a reward in and of itself. Their dedication has helped fuel the digital transformation of thousands of businesses around the world and enabled us all to successfully navigate one of the most challenging periods of our lifetime. I am incredibly proud to see their contributions recognized on the worldwide stage and most importantly, to know that our investment in each other, our company and the communities in which we serve is creating a better tomorrow.

The original article was published here.

Getting to know our new VP of Asia Pacific Partner Sales – Sophie Ben Sadia

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Equinix recently announced the creation of a new Global Channel Organization to better align our partner objectives and bring our partner ecosystem together across all regions. Under the leadership of Jules Johnston, our Senior VP of Global Channel, we have welcomed three new vice presidents of channel sales: Sophie Ben Sadia (Asia Pacific), Kevin Thames (AMER) and Orla Ni Chorcora (EMEA)

In this Q&A series, Sophie Ben Sadia talks with Cindy Liu, Director of Partner Marketing in Asia Pacific, about the importance of joining forces with partners to leverage our powerful platform and trailblaze innovative solutions that create value added outcomes for customers.

Cindy Liu (CL), Sophie Ben Sadia (SBS)

CL: Sophie, please bring us up to speed on your career to date.

SBS: I joined Equinix in May this year, bringing more than 20 years leadership experience building high-performing sales, marketing and operations teams across various geographies. I was most recently Vice President, Channels & Alliances and the Edge Computing Leader, for Schneider Electric Secure Power Division for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Russia and South America regions. Prior to Schneider Electric, my last position was in Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise as Vice President of Sales for France Regions.

I am French and I am based in Singapore. I have lived in Asia for almost 12 years.

CL: What attracted you to Equinix?

SBS: There were three things that attracted me to Equinix. Firstly, Charles Meyers, our CEO, has put partners at the heart of our go to market strategy as a key part of Equinix’s growth engine. With an ambitious 50% target coming from the channel in the next few years, it is exciting for me to be a part of this journey.

The other factor was the culture fit. At Equinix, we strongly believe the culture determines our success. It is driven by our people who put customers at the center our company values, which we call the Magic of Equinix. One of the Magic values that really resonates with me is Find a better way, which aligns with my personal motto to challenge myself to strive for excellence and always have fun within the work by supporting each other and celebrating success.

And finally, I am a true believer in and I was very impressed by Equinix’s Future First sustainability strategy and commitment as the world’s digital infrastructure leader to harness the power of technology to create a more accessible, equitable and sustainable future. We are making good progress towards the sustainability goals as we strive to become the greenest place to operate with 100% clean and renewable energy and to be carbon neutral by 2030.

CL: Describe the importance of partners to Equinix?

SBS: Equinix is never the whole solution, we cannot do everything by ourselves. It is essential that we team up with partners who can bring their own services and competencies into a solution. The relationship with our partner community is symbiotic and our goal is to make that relationship as integrated and effective as possible.

With the digital transformation acceleration, our ecosystem is getting larger and richer. More digital leaders are seeing the impact of connecting to multiple ecosystems, including improving their value to end customers. We are very much complementing each other. For instance, our partners can tap into Platform Equinix® to deliver value added services to our joint customers.

CL: What do you love about working with partners?

SBS: Sustainability is also very much true for building long term collaboration, it is core to my philosophy with partners. Joining forces and collaborating to create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. And like any meaningful relationship, partnerships require patience, effort and commitment to build and nurture trust.

CL: What are some of your upcoming priorities for partners in the Asia-Pacific market?

SBS: We have two priorities in Asia-Pacific with our partners. The first is to increase awareness of all the changes within our partner community to show the extent of the support available. From the new team structure and new tools such as the Partner Direct Quoting tool, to products that are partner first.

The second is ensuring alignment with partners on our target opportunities such as the hybrid multicloud architecture or edge computing, and how to grow those opportunities by defining the joint solution and value proposition. For instance, our partners can leverage Platform Equinix to trailblaze innovation and create value added outcomes for customers.

CL: What are a few things you want partners to know about?

SBS: First of all, we have a portfolio that is very relevant to the current digital transformation trends. We are helping our partners to extend their addressable market with our data center services and digital engagement model. Our interconnection service is the glue of our ecosystem, Equinix Fabric™ is a great example. And we are providing digital infrastructure services that offer a new virtual consumption experiences across compute, network and storage.

We are also committed strategically to evolving a partner-first mindset, which means that we are on a multiyear journey to create joint value propositions with partners. In doing so, we have concrete commitments in four areas: building a new organization dedicated to supporting partners, enhancing our tools such as Partner Central Portal to further empower our partners, creating partner-first products and finally integrating partners into Platform Equinix.

Some of our partners have seen tremendous growth through their collaboration with Equinix. When they integrate their offerings into Platform Equinix they expand their market reach, drive booking success and harness more possibilities.

And the good news is that this is only the beginning. We have several other improvements planned for 2021 and beyond, from additional marketing automation for self-service to content syndication and more.

CL: Sounds like a very exciting time ahead for your Sophie. Now, can you tell us a fun fact about yourself that people might not know?

SBS: I have more bottles of wine as a wine oenophile – 800 bottles in fact – than the total amount shoes, bags and accessories I own!

And now that my wine collection secret is out, I’ll close with a thank you to our partners. I look forward to helping build even more success together for the benefit of our customers into 2021 and beyond.

The original article was first published here.

Getting to know our new VP of Americas Channel Sales – Kevin Thames

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Equinix recently announced the creation of a new Global Channel Organization to better align our partner objectives and bring our partner ecosystem together across all regions. Under the leadership of Jules Johnston, our Senior VP of Global Channel, we have recently welcomed three new vice presidents of channel sales: Kevin Thames (AMER), Orla Ni Chorcora (EMEA) and Sophie Ben Sadia (Asia Pacific).

In this Q&A series, Kevin Thames – in conversation with Deirdre Crossan, Senior Director of Americas Partner Marketing– gives us an insight into how he embedded the Power of 3 approach to accelerate channel growth across the region and how he plans to take that forward in his new role.

Deirdre Crossan (DC), Kevin Thames (KT)

DC: Kevin, you’ve had a successful career at Equinix for 10 years. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey here and what you have learned along the way?

KT: I started out as an Account Executive (AE) with a focus on building our enterprise customer base. When I joined in 2011, we were doing the majority of our business with service providers and financial services companies – in fact, only 9% were enterprises.

In my mission to make enterprise a bigger slice of the pie, I learned that the fastest path to success with Fortune 500 companies is through partners. One of my favorite proverbs is “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” So that’s what I did.

We found the Power of 3 concept presented the best opportunity to grow our business and scale the enterprise effort. Whenever we work with three or more partners within an account, the timeframe in which we were able to create real solutions shortened significantly and the collective probability to win that business went up dramatically.

We applied this to create partnerships at scale across the US, and I’m proud to say that I went on to close the company’s largest ever channel deal. After seven years I was tapped on the shoulder to lead our partner sales effort. At its core, leading our Channel effort is about providing the programs, tools and resources needed for the Account Executives at our partners, alongside the Account Executives at Equinix to achieve success. And since I was once one of them, I never lose sight of that simple truth, and it is an honor and a privilege to be in service to them.

DC: You have been championing the idea of the Power of 3 since you were in Field Sales at Equinix. What potential do you see with it?

KT: When we talk to customers about their digital transformation needs, they tell us that there isn’t a company on the planet that can solve all their problems. So if we all agree that is the case, and I definitely do, it makes sense for us to partner up on their behalf. It is about collaboration and coordination so that the end user benefits from the teaming, the knowledge transfer and the solution we all bring together.

The AMER region has some excellent Power of 3 examples with partners such as Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, HPE, Dell, Google and Oracle, and any one of our NSP or MSP partners coming together on Platform Equinix® to deliver value for the end client. I believe it is still a huge area of untapped potential so one of my big goals is to have AEs in our partner community embrace the Power of 3 concept at scale.

DC: So the power of Equinix is ecosystems, can you tell us more about that?

KT: We are known to have an unmatched ecosystem, which at its core is a marketplace. If you take it to the digital world, and consider an example like a food delivery app. Without the restaurants that make the food that is ultimately delivered to your door, it’s just an app that sits on your phone. So it is very similar at Equinix. Our marketplace of over 1,800 NSPs and 2,900 cloud and service providers is what differentiates Platform Equinix.

DC: Equinix is making three big bets for Channel; what are they and how will partners benefit from them?

KT: Yes, the first is around enabling our partners with all the tools and infrastructure they need for success. For example, last year we overhauled our Partner Central Portal to bring resources into a single online destination. We also launched two new Partner Certifications to empower partners to offer consumption-based services and a new Partner Direct Quoting tool which allows them to quote without engaging Equinix at the early stages of the process.

Secondly, we are investing in developing partner-first products so that we elevate the experience and enable partners to sell the full portfolio of Equinix services.

Finally, integration into the platform. Our most successful partners integrate their services and go-to-market with the Equinix platform.

DC: Tell us something that not many people know about you.

KT: One of my favorite questions. I spent 10 years of my life working with a nonprofit organization as a camp counselor where we worked to restore dignity and hope to children, teens, and young adults who have been abused and/or neglected – empowering them to make good decisions and lead healthy, productive lives. I was honored to serve for several years as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. And every summer we took a group of kids to summer camp. It’s an amazing community of volunteers that supported them throughout their lives until they either go into the military, the workforce or into college.

We worked to provide them with life skills that taught them the three R’s: respect, responsibility, and resilience. And I’ve seen these simple truths impact their lives in profound and lasting ways. One of them, I call my little brother, got a full ride academic scholarship and graduated from Emory University, which is almost unheard of in this community. It has grown my heart tremendously. And I am still involved, I still love the organization.

DC: You are a co-founder of Equinix BlackConnect, tell us a bit about it and why was it important to you to get involved?

KT: It brings me great joy to be a part of Equinix’s BlackConnect as a member of the founding council, we recently celebrated our first-year anniversary. Over the last year we have focused on our three pillars, Expand, Empower and Elevate:

Expand: Look at ways we can bring more Black employees into Equinix
Empower: So that Black employees, just like every other employee, can confidently say that “I am safe, I belong, and I matter”
Elevate: Continue to invest in talent development while also bringing in more Black employees into leadership positions
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging leads to better business outcomes and we have so much more in store, and I am excited to do my part.

DC: Are there any last messages you would want a partner in the AMER region to know?

KT: We have a stated goal from our CEO to do greater than 50% of our business through partners in the next few years. I would like our partners to take away four key points from that mission:

We are aggressively activating the channel
We will enable partners to sell more complete services
We are shifting to a longer-term, channel-enabled mindset
We are focusing on elevating the partner experience

None of this is possible without an amazing (world-class) partner sales team to meet you in the market, so I thank them for all they do to make our partners successful.

DC: That’s great Kevin, so why should a Partner bet on Equinix?

KT: Simply put, we are betting on you. With 50% of our business expected to come through partners in the next few years, only Equinix can deliver on the digital infrastructure needs of your customers. On Platform Equinix you can bring together all the right places, partners and possibilities to create the foundational infrastructure your customers need to succeed.

In closing, I just want to say I can’t wait to get out and meet as many of you as humanly possible! I am looking forward to great success alongside you in 2021.

Excuse me, what do you do as a solution architect?

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 19:00:00 +0000

In a recent conversation with a colleague, she asked me what I do as a solutions architect. Her question triggered me to pen down some thoughts, so here we go!

A day in the life
The Global Solutions Architect Team's mission is to provide thought leadership resources to customers embarking on the digital transformation journey. What does this mean? It can mean hosting workshops with customers to understand their goals and objectives, discuss possibilities and map out a path from where they are now to where they want to be, or it might mean reviewing industry use cases that illustrate real-world results of organizations that have followed a similar path.

While networking has historically been—and still is—a large part of these conversations, more and more cloud- and compute-centric discussions are being held with line-of-business owners in addition to network and IT managers.

At the end of their time with an architect, our customers should understand what is possible, the steps necessary to reach their goals, and how Equinix and our partners can help them achieve those goals.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood
The book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey describes the importance of listening to understand. When meeting with stakeholders such as IT leaders or CTOs, this skill is crucial. Launching straight into a product-based solutioning discussion without clearly understanding the goals or pain points of your stakeholders will just yield frustration. For instance, is your prospect’s focus on migrating from a CAPEX to an OPEX model? Or perhaps their current priority is securing their infrastructure.

Most recently, architecting for remote work is now front and center, and has required a change in thinking in how data and devices are secured in remote environments while still offering the level of flexibility expected by end users.

When it comes to workloads, it can be easy to default to thinking that everything should be in the cloud. However, there are many reasons why pure cloud might not be the most suitable architecture. This is where understanding workloads is important. What is the workflow of the data being used? Is it “chatty” to the point of incurring expensive data egress fees? If so, are you better off considering a bare metal solution?

Data sovereignty is a major consideration in some locations, so perhaps employing a hybrid architecture that allows customers to point to a specific storage asset in a data center and say, "Our data is there," is important.

Likewise, there are still many legacy systems critical for business operations that cannot be migrated to the cloud.

Even once you have addressed these concerns, very few businesses can—or want to—lock into a single cloud vendor, and therefore they end up utilizing multiple clouds. Do these clouds need to talk to each other? If so, what methods will facilitate that? To solve these issues and more, we're seeing organizations exploring a range of architectural options.

Leading with impact
The most rewarding part of my role is witnessing individuals and teams grow. For example, coaching them by implementing a change they didn't perceive they were empowered to make builds confidence to tackle the next—potentially larger—change. This creates better job satisfaction (you can make a difference) and improves the experience for both customers and colleagues.

As far as the Global Solution Architecture team, it's exciting to be part of a team of such knowledgeable and enthusiastic technologists helping some of the biggest brands in our economies take advantage of the latest technologies.

We’re always looking out for people who want to make a difference and are looking for meaningful work that matters. If you’re interested in exploring a career with Equinix, check out these open roles:

The original article was published here.

Platform Equinix® Expands to India

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 19:00:00 +0000

The long wait is over. Today, we are thrilled to announce that Equinix, the world’s digital infrastructure company, is officially in India! This expansion sees the addition of two world-class, hyper connected data centers with over 350 existing customers — including the top cloud service providers and other major internet companies — in the important market of Mumbai. All this gives us a significant head start in the rapidly evolving Indian data center market. The beginning of our new chapter is exhilarating, and I am more than excited to be here on the ground and be part of Equinix’s exciting journey in entering this fast-growing strategic market for digital infrastructure.

This move is exciting for two key reasons. One is Equinix’s strong global footprint, which has seen several of our 10,000+ customers working with Equinix at multiple locations to deploy their IT infrastructure, many of whom are keen to expand into India. Equinix brings years of experience in serving the needs of multiple verticals with tailormade and differentiated solutions. The second exciting thing is, as a new member of Equinix, I am amazed and delighted to be working with a large group of futuristic thinkers and talented people. We share a mutual goal of achieving a sustainable future which, mixed with a diversity of thought, identity, experience, culture, background and proficiency, generates great innovation and business outcomes. Nothing can be better than working with an inclusive team dedicated to building the world’s largest interconnected ecosystem, something Equinix does so well.

Transforming a connected nation with digital initiatives

Considered one of the most vibrant economies in the world, India has set itself an ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025,[1] and “Digital India” initiatives are crucial to help achieve this target. Thanks to a variety of programs, local enterprises are becoming increasingly aware of the urgency of speeding up their digitalization, guided by prudent policies for data protection and data localization when it comes to data-driven innovations. Also, with COVID-19 pushing data and resources to the edge, business leaders have been forced to reconsider how they can architect their IT environment in an agile and secure manner.

Complementing this, the planned upcoming launch of India’s 5G network is set to accelerate the growth of data. Enterprises are not only looking for network stability, but more flexible and robust connectivity to handle data from widely distributed end users. This is boosting the data center market in India, as reflected by industry trends. According to Synergy Research, the data center market in India is expected to exceed US$2 billion in 2025 and continue to grow at a 15% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next three years, the second-highest rate in the world.[2] Amidst this transformative period, Equinix is riding the crest of the digital wave.

Unlocking endless business opportunities with the world-class digital infrastructure in India

As the world’s digital infrastructure company, Equinix always tries to stay a step ahead of our customer and partner requirements by expanding our footprint in different countries. Even before we officially entered the India market, Equinix was supporting local enterprises and partners to accelerate their global journey. For many years, Equinix enabled them to deploy their infrastructures, applications and services closer to the edge to connect with customers across the world and stay ahead of the curve.

For multinationals, India has been at the top of their wish list for expansion, and that’s why we decided to go the extra mile with this acquisition as our first step to enter the market, to support our customers with the continuously expanding Platform Equinix and its ecosystems. Home to the critical IT infrastructure of numerous global organizations, the two data centers in India will provide 1,350 cabinets, with an additional 500 cabinets at full buildout. The facilities, dubbed MB1 and MB2, will add more than 90,000 square feet of colocation space to Platform Equinix when fully built, benefiting businesses in India with the ability to expand internationally and enabling multinational corporations pursuing growth and innovation in the Indian market.

With Equinix, companies can rapidly scale their infrastructure, easily adopt hybrid multicloud architectures and interconnect with more than 350 international brands and local companies in India. Customers in India can connect in real-time, directly and privately, to more than 10,000 companies, including more than 1,800 networks and 3,000 cloud and IT service providers, through Platform Equinix for increased performance, security and scale.

Evolving India towards a digital future

As one of the largest economies in Asia-Pacific, India presents unparalleled possibilities in the digital age. Extending Platform Equinix marks a notable milestone for us, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead. With our global footprint and the industry’s largest ecosystem, we are well-positioned to be a driving force of the digital revolution in India and we are committed to helping businesses leap forward domestically and globally. I am so pleased to be part of the Equinix family and I look forward to joining hands with our customers and partners to achieve new heights in the digital era.

[1] The Hindu

[1] Norton Rose Fulbright, Data Protection Report, Data Privacy Day 2020 – Canadian Privacy Law Developments on the Horizon, Jan 2020; European Union, Adequacy decisions.

The original article was published here.

From a fruitful internship to an exciting career in data center operations

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:00:00 +0000

What are you working on?

I’m a facility engineer at the SG3 Singapore IBX data center. There, we work on planning and implementing facility maintenance, site administration, responding to customer work requests, incident management and infrastructure project management.

What’s a normal day like?

I start off the day by checking emails and the daily schedule. This allows me to draft the day’s to-do list and manage my time accordingly. In the morning I reply to urgent customer requests and start working on top-priority tasks.

After lunch, I go on a site walk and check on ongoing projects and maintenance progress, ensuring that the working environment is safe and follows Standard Operating Procedure. I also keep alert for any abnormalities or alarms that need immediate attention. The rest of the time I work on data gathering, engineering script writing and [AE1] report writing.

What made you decide to join Equinix?

I joined Equinix as an intern in 2016. During my 22-week internship, I really enjoyed my time with the team as well as the company culture and work environment. I also joined Equinix because I was interested in pursuing a career in electrical engineering and within the energy management field.

What skills did you gain from your internship?

I learned how to communicate effectively and professionally while working with the team to efficiently solve all kinds of emergency problems and also provide excellent customer service. I was also able to apply the skills and knowledge I learned in school. A professional working attitude, punctuality and always being ready to get the job done are other important skills I learned.

What was your most memorable/rewarding experience at Equinix?

I really enjoyed the wellness activities such as the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge run, tree plantings and orphanage visits. These activities really helped me to get to know people from different departments and to integrate into the team quickly.

How have you developed since joining Equinix?

I have worked as a facility technician for almost three years and as a facility engineer for a year and a half. In these positions, I have gained experience in maintaining and monitoring electrical and mechanical systems such as a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and generator, cooling and building monitoring systems. Through planning preventative maintenance, I became familiar with these systems’ maintenance scopes while also dealing with outside vendors, getting quotes and negotiating contracts. I also gained experience using tools like PowerPoint, Word and Excel for data analysis, data trending, report generation and presentations.

I have also been able to keep my audit certifications current (including SS564, SS507 and SSAE18) and also helped the data center achieve Green Mark re-certification.

How is your and your team’s work making an impact?

We work together to provide 99.999% system availability, achieve operational excellence and provide outstanding customer service.

We also aim to ensure monitoring and reporting functions for Equinix's essential systems 24/7/365, and to ensure that the IBX equipment and environment are maintained to the highest standards.

What is the team’s culture like?

The Facilities team cares for, supports and respects each other. Team members always share their experience and knowledge with one another, and we openly collaborate and communicate on the challenges we face together.

What advice would you give to juniors keen to join Equinix for an internship or a full-time role?

During your internship or full-time position here, I encourage you to work with your team closely and make connections with your team members. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. Show your enthusiasm to learn and grow, and be confident!

Are you looking for an impactful and fulfilling internship while collaborating with an inclusive and diverse team? Check out open roles.

Advancing women leadership at Equinix

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:18:06 +0000

At Equinix, we’re committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. In this article, Leanne Starace, Senior Vice President of Global Technical Sales, shares how we are advancing this mission and why women love working at Equinix.

Why would you recommend Equinix as an employer of choice for women?

The advancement of women is very important to our CEO, Charles Meyers, as well as to the entire executive leadership team. We focus on gender diversity with the intent to reflect the customers and communities in which we operate. The talent and perspectives of all the historically underrepresented communities within the organization are known to be incredibly valuable.

Work-life balance is something that the organization respects and will advocate for. I am a mother first and an employee second. If anything comes up for my family that requires me to adjust, I know the business will be supportive of my focus where it should be: on my family.

We’ve built incredibly high-performing teams at Equinix. Employees can afford to step aside and take care of their family members, and let another team member ascend into a position of leadership to take over, whether for a day, a week or a month. Having the insurance of a trusted and talented team supporting one another is important for women, and anyone caring for others.

Equinix has a culture that puts it's people first. This was especially evident at the height of the Covid pandemic. The company's leadership was transparent about safety and overly communicated to ensure everyone's well-being was taken care of.

One of Equinix's greatest attributes is that they also put people at the center when considering about business objectives. This makes Equinix an incredible place for women. It allows us to be the best version of ourselves; there are no boundaries here. This is incredibly important, as we think about the places aspire to go. The company is open to as much growth, development and leadership that you would have a propensity to achieve.

What sets Equinix apart when it comes to advancing women in leadership?

Our CEO is committed to advancing women in leadership. That ideology permeates the whole organization. For instance, my current role as the SVP of global technical sales was not historically occupied by a woman. Women in technical sales leadership roles occupy less than 10% of those positions industry wide. We have a well balance of gender on our leadership teams at the VP, SVP and C-suite level. Additionally, we have seen people not just brought into the company at those levels but, individuals like myself, have ascended into those leadership roles. This type of internal mobility is incredibly inspirational. The company is dedicated to advancing women for their experience, knowledge and business acumen, but also for the additional diversity, creativity and innovation they bring.

How do you empower and support other women at Equinix?

I try to help women see themselves the way I see them from across the table: as potential leaders. I hope to model the role of a woman in leadership. The more equitable distribution we see with women in leadership roles, the more women can see themselves in those positions. There isn’t one formula to get there. It isn’t a linear journey, there are many paths to leadership.

Sometimes, things happen along your career journey, and everything changes. Having a mentor, a particular set of circumstances or a new role pierces this thin veil that holds you back. My advice to women, which is the advice I give myself all the time, is that you can do more than you think you can. You can be more than you think you can be. It may feel overwhelming, but humans occupy these roles above you. They might be male humans, but they’re humans and you’re human, so you know you can do this. There’s nothing so unique about somebody who’s sitting in one of these seats that should hold you back from trying. Don’t tell yourself no; let somebody else do that and prove them wrong. Go for it and see what happens. It’s incredible to discover what you’re capable of.

I invest in helping women attain leadership roles. I gently encourage women because sometimes they need a nudge. Someone nudged me early in my career. I wouldn’t be sitting here if that person didn’t say, “I think you can be in sales. I think you can be a leader.” I didn’t believe that at the time. Someone else saw that in me. Have faith in someone you trust, and ask yourself, “What’s the worst that will happen if I go for it?” There’s no downside, and something amazing could be waiting to unlock within you. Understand that you have the support of other women. Trust the mentors around you, some of whom will be women, some of whom will be men. They can open doors for you that you don’t yet have the experience to see.

Want to be a part of a bigger purpose? Join the Equinix talent network to be the first to learn about new roles, Equinix news and career insights.

Navigating that promotion

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:00:00 +0000

If you are captivated by the seat you aspire to sit in, consider these three pointers:

Be good at your job and be your own advocate

You have control on your performance, on what you do every day. Aspire to be the absolute best at it, and then go further. Do more than the requirements of your job description. To earn that promotion, focus on areas that create value for the company. How are you delivering greater impact? Remember you are in the driver's seat of your career- make sure those impacts are socialized amongst your own development.

Build your brand

Second, focus on your professional brand; what you are you known for? How are you perceived professionally? What character traits do you think colleagues associate with you? Think about how you want to be regarded and then, show up authentically. Lean on your strengths- they will never steer you wrong!

Cultivate your network

Sponsorships and endorsements are critical. Given job performance and a solid professional brand, you will want to leverage your network of people who will also advocate for your growth. Cultivate your network with as much enthusiasm as you do in your career discipline. Invest your time in this every week, whether internally or externally to Equinix. Make sure you have people who are willing to sponsor and endorse you when you’re ready to move into a different role.

エクイニクス・ジャパンのリーダーを知る　－　代表取締役社長　小川久仁子

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 19:00:00 +0000

インスピレーションとイノベーションの国として知られる日本は、常に新しいアイデアとテクノロジーで世界を魅了してきました。今回の「リーダーを知る」シリーズでは、私ことアジアパシフィック地域担当プレジデントのジェレミー（以下JD）が、エクイニクス・ジャパンの小川久仁子代表取締役社長（以下小川）に、日本のIT業界の動向や、彼女のキャリアに影響を与えた経験について色々伺います。

INTERVIEWER:　「小川さんがエクイニクスに入社してから半年以上が経ちました。最初の100日間で特に印象に残ったことを3つ教えてください。」

小川　「まず初めにカルチャーです。エクイニクスの素晴らしいカルチャー、とりわけ、米国の本社から発せられる全世界の社員に向けたメッセージに何度も感動しました。何故こんなに感動するのか色々考え、いくつかのFindingsがあることに気づきました。まず、そのメッセージの内容です。いわゆる杓子定規なものではなく、心のこもったメッセージなのです。また、そのメッセージが絶妙なタイミングで社員に向けて発信される点です。口先だけでカルチャーを語る会社とは全く異なり、全社をあげてカルチャーにかなりの時間を費やしていること、そして社員の誰もがこのカルチャーこそがEQのDNAそのものだと認識していること、このEmployee Engagementの高さに心から感動しました。

二つ目は、データセンタービジネスへのイメージが180度変わったことです。私の従来のイメージは、サーバーファームをベースとしたコロケーションビジネスという理解だったのですが、都心型で、ネットワークリッチ、クラウドハブとしての役割をもつ、いわゆるDXを下支えするプラットフォームビジネスであること、そしてオンプレミスのデータセンターに取って代わるものではなく、むしろオンプレミスに付加価値をつける役割を担っているとわかった時は、なるほどと納得しました。

三つ目は、日本への投資です。私の担当しているメトロ（都市圏）は東京と大阪ですが、東京は全世界のメトロの中でも高いビジネスポテンシャルがあります。そして大阪も大きな成長可能性があり、戦略的に重要なメトロです。エクイニクスのグローバルカバレッジの中で、一国のメトロ全てが高い戦略的重要性を持つ国は珍しいといえます。その意味で日本のビジネスには大きな期待が寄せられていますし、私は日本の責任者として大きな責任も感じています。この社内外からの高い期待に答えるべく、日本チーム一丸となって、ビジネスを牽引していきたいと考えています。」

INTERVIEWER:　「日本企業がグローバル市場に進出するケースが増えています。日本企業はどのような課題に直面しており、どのような対処が可能だと考えますか。」

小川　「日本企業は以前からイノベーション能力の高さで知られていますが、俊敏性（アジリティ）、データコンプライアンス、そしてネットワークの遅延（レイテンシー）が海外展開の足かせとなってきました。そのため、今、日本企業は、グローバル展開に必要なワールドクラスのデジタルインフラストラクチャーを提供できる我々のような高い信頼性を持つパートナーを必要としています。世界各地にサービス展開している我々のコネクテッドデータセンタープラットフォームを利用することで、企業はインフラを迅速にローカライズでき、高速、低遅延、セキュアな接続性を手にして新しい製品やサービスを新しい市場に迅速に投入することができます。

たとえば最近では、楽天モバイルの子会社であるRakuten Mobile Singapore Pte. Ltd.へのサービスを提供開始しました。楽天モバイルはRakuten Communications Platform（RCP）を世界中の通信事業者やエンタープライズカスタマーに提供するためにPlatform Equinix®を採用しました。Platform Equinixを基盤とすることで、2,900社以上のクラウドサービスプロバイダー（CSP）と1,800社以上のネットワークサービスプロバイダー（NSP）からなる多様なエコシステムと相互接続することができます。また、オンデマンドでエッジ上に仮想ネットワークサービスを数分間で展開し接続できるため、インターコネクション帯域のダイナミックな需要変化やネットワークスパイクに対応し、世界中の潜在的なビジネスチャンスを有効活用することができます。」

INTERVIEWER:　「日本は世界最大級のデータ集積都市であり、ハイパースケーラーにとって重要な市場です。2020年初め、エクイニクスは、日本でハイパースケーラーデータセンターを開発するためにGICと合弁事業を設立したことを発表しました。日本のxScale市場についてどのようにお考えですか。」

小川　「日本は世界最大級のデータセンター市場であることは間違いありません。しかし、他の先進国と比較すると、遅れている分野もあります。IMDが発表した「2020年世界デジタル競争力ランキング（IMD World Digital Competitiveness）[1]」では日本は27位に位置し、企業の俊敏性やビッグデータ活用に関しては63カ国中最下位でした。理由はいろいろありますが、その一つとして、日本の企業のシステムの老朽化がDXの大きな障壁となっていることがあげられます。例えば、20年以上の老朽化したシステムが全体の20％も存在し、10年以上のシステムとなると40％の割合を占めます。

また、ビジネスにおいても、ミーティングは対面で行うという商習慣が根強く残っていました。社内でも対面の会議ですし、お客様とのミーティングも対面が前提でした。

ところが、コロナを機に日本ビジネスの前提条件であった“対面”から“非対面”にシフトせざるを得ない状況になり、この“非対面”がDXを加速させるドライバーとなっています。

特に政府の行政クラウドのプラットフォームとしてAWSが採用されたことは大きなニュースでした[2]。DXの推進には、クラウドの活用が第一ステップであることを踏まえると、私たちのお客様であるハイパースケーラーが提供するサービスへの需要は今後確実に高まるでしょう。エクイニクスは今年東京と大阪にxScaleデータセンターを開設します。これはエクイニクスが日本のDXを支えて加速するという大きな役割を担っていることを意味します。」

JD　「エクイニクスに入社する前は、世界最大級のテクノロジー企業に勤務されていました。その経験は、自身のリーダーシップスタイルの形成にどのように役立ちましたか。」

小川　「様々な学びがありましたが、得たものの一つ目は、ロジカルシンキングです。とにかく何をするにおいても論理的思考を求められました。私が新入社員のころ、先輩や上司から、言いたいことを1分でまとめるように、と常に言われていました。キャリアを積むにつれ、その思考回路の重要性が理解できるようになり、いつの間にか、私自身も部下との会話やレビューの際の口癖になっていました。ロジカルシンキングという世界共通でのメソッドを通じて、ビジネスのDNAを叩き込まれたのだと思います。

二つ目は、コミットメントです。私が学んだコミットメントの解釈は、「目標達成のために全身全霊で取り組む」と言うことです。目標がどんなに高くセットされていても、あらゆる方策を考えて実行する。これは、現在の私のスタイルの原点であり、強みの一つでもあります。

最後は、チーム・ビルディングです。同じ目標を共有し、それぞれの担当エリアにおいて主体的に実行しながらも、お互いの協力を通じ、最高のパフォーマンスを生み出す組織づくりです。その前提としてカルチャーが重要な土台となることは言うまでもありません。言うのは簡単、実行するのは大変ですが、若い時から比較的大きな組織を任せてもらえていたので、私の強みの一つとなっています。」

INTERVIEWER:　「次世代の才能ある女性人材をサポートすることを強く提唱していますが、若い女性リーダーに何かアドバイスをお願いします。」

小川　「私の体験談をお話ししたいと思います。私がまだリーダーとしての経験が浅かった頃、幸運なことに素晴らしいメンターに出会うことができました。メンターからは耳の痛いことも言われましたが、振り返るとその言葉は今でも自分の中では心に残る教えとなっています。つまり、耳の痛いことを指摘してくれるメンターもしくは誰かをできれば持ったほうがいい。また、その指摘に対して自分を変えられる素直さを持ち合わせて欲しいと思います。」

INTERVIEWER:　「最後の質問です。小川さんについて、私たちがまだ知らないことがあれば教えてください。」

小川　「私は韓国ドラマの大ファンです。毎日寝る前に見ています。ストレス解消にとても役立っています。」

今回のインタビューを通し、小川さんと日本市場について、より知ることができました。今後、彼女や彼女のチームと一緒に仕事をし、日本のお客様のグローバル展開をお手伝いすることをとても楽しみにしています。次回のインタビューもどうぞお楽しみに。

エクイニクスの大阪の新しいデータセンター、デジタルファーストの未来を支える

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 19:00:00 +0000

昨年、エクイニクスは、デジタルエコノミーの成長を後押しする重要な要素の1つとして、日本で2番目の企業集積地である大阪でのフットプリント拡大に向けた重要な取り組みを発表しました。これを受けて、エクイニクスは新たなInternational Business Exchange™（IBX®）データセンター（以下、OS3）が本日オープンすることを発表します。

日本は世界第3位の経済大国です。また、我が国はすべてのものがつながる超スマート社会を提唱しています。この国家的デジタルビジョンの第1段階を実現するため、日本政府は企業のデジタル化を積極的に進めており、中小企業やスタートアップ企業に対し、進化を続けるビジネス環境にデジタルテクノロジーを活用して対応するための支援を豊富に提供しています。テクノロジーを幅広く使用することから生まれる大量のデータおよび通信に対応するため、日本のデジタルリーダーは、ローカルからグローバルまでを高い信頼性でカバーして最適なパフォーマンスを提供する、頼れるデジタルパートナーとの提携を急ピッチで進めています。

一方、関西圏の日本のデジタルエコノミーにおける重要性は今後も高まり続けます。最新の「グローバルインターコネクションインデックス（GXI）」第5版によると、大阪のインターコネクション帯域は2020年から2024年にまでに50％の年平均成長率（CAGR）で増加することが見込まれています。アマゾンウェブサービス（AWS）、マイクロソフト、グーグル、オラクルなどのハイパースケーラーが大阪におけるインターコネクション帯域の急増を牽引すると予測されています。ハイブリッドマルチクラウドへの移行が進む中、これらハイパースケーラーはクラウド導入に伴う高性能、一貫性、セキュリティ、耐障害性、ローカルデータレジデンシーに対するニーズの高まりに対応するため、大阪への投資を拡大していくものと思われます。

2020年には、大阪は「新時代の万博」と称され世界中から2,800万人の来場者が見込まれる、2025年日本国際博覧会（以下、大阪・関西万博）の開催地として承認されました。大阪・関西万博の理念にもあるとおり、多様な技術は国家間をつなげる橋です。OS3は、万博を主催し多数の画期的な偉業を世界各国からの来場者に披露する大阪を強固なデジタルインフラストラクチャとして支援します。1

OS3の第1フェーズは、2021年末までに完成し、約3,070平方メートル（33,000平方フィート）以上のコロケーションスペースと900ラックが提供される予定です。最終フェーズでは、合計8,300平方メートル（約89,340平方フィート）以上のコロケーションスペースに2,500ラックが提供される予定です。大阪のエクイニクスデータセンターキャンパス（OS1）に直接接続されるOS3は、Equinix Fabric™を含む幅広いインターコネクションソリューションを提供します。25社以上のネットワークサービスプロバイダーが参加するエクイニクス大阪キャンパスの充実したエコシステムにより、企業は東京やそのほか世界にあるPlatform Equinix®上で自社の分散インフラストラクチャと他社の分散インフラストラクチャを接続することができます。

OS3の写真をご参照ください。

OS3 – 受付

OS3 – 会議室

OS3 – データホール

OS3 – サーバーラック

OS3 – セキュリティオペレーションセンター

OS3 – モーション起動型のLED照明

OS3 – チラーシステム(高温冷水セットポイント適用)

Getting to Know our Asia-Pacific Leader – Manoj Paul

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 19:00:00 +0000

India’s digital economy is anticipated to be worth US$2 trillion by 2030. As the government continues to advance digital technology adoption, including the upcoming rollout of 5G, opportunities to accelerate digital transformation in the country are more exciting than ever.

For this latest installment of our “Getting to Know” series, I sat down with Manoj Paul, Managing Director at Equinix India, to learn more about his background and journey to Equinix and discuss the dynamic digital landscape in India.

Jeremy Deutsch (JD); Manoj Paul (MP)

JD: You’ve now been with Equinix for about six months. What has been your top takeaway from this time? Is there anything that has really surprised you about the company?

MP: I joined the Equinix family last September with the acquisition of GPX India by Equinix. To become part of this industry leader with a stellar reputation among customers worldwide and head the India business, which is one of the fastest-growing markets, is a significant milestone in my career.

One of my takeaways from the last few months is the confidence customers worldwide have in Equinix solutions and services. Since the acquisition, we’ve witnessed several inbound deals closing with global customers, and I realized early on that this success is made possible by the strong, highly-skilled, and energetic sales team around the world backed by teams committed to designing and building high-quality infrastructure. The positive atmosphere and teamwork at Equinix are truly unparalleled, and that’s a big enabler for exceeding customer expectations in all aspects.

What really surprised me was that despite being such a large and successful organization, there is tremendous humility and empathy in all actions of the senior executives, and in general, the whole organization. It shows that Equinix has spent time and resources developing a culture for employees to keep the customers in the center of everything they do and themselves feel that they’re safe, they belong, and they matter.

JD: You have three decades of rich experience in the technology industry. What have been some of the defining moments of your career so far?

MP: It has been an incredible journey since the start of my career in the early 90s, when EPABX systems just started getting deployed in India. Looking back there are a few key milestones that I’m proud to share. One of them was spearheading the rollout of DSL broadband service at Bharti Airtel, the first in India by a telco. We saw immense success and were able to quickly achieve the first 10,000 customers spread over three metros with the subsequent rollout of Wi-Fi DSL broadband at home and in public places.

As the head of the banking, finance and insurance (BFSI) vertical, and then as the Western region COO for Bharti Airtel, I was able to grow the enterprise business exponentially, especially considering that the West region in general and BFSI vertical in particular were strongholds of competing telcos. I remember the celebration we had for the first-ever 100mbps intercity link order from a marquee financial institute.

The most significant achievement of my career has been building a highly motivated and experienced team at GPX India. Together, we created a profitable data center business in India that customers loved and recommend. Through our differentiated positioning and services, GPX India was able to achieve the distinction of being India’s most hyperconnected carrier-neutral data center with an unparalleled ecosystem comprising the world’s largest Cloud Service Providers, Content/OTT and Telecom Service Providers. And finally, the latest defining moment was playing a critical role in the successful acquisition of GPX India by Equinix.

JD: India is certainly an exciting market for Equinix. As we continue to explore expansion plans and the upcoming opening of the Global Centre of Excellence, what are your plans for 2022 and beyond?

MP: I’m thrilled about the opportunities ahead. Over the years, Equinix has rapidly expanded in existing and new metros across all markets it has entered; and the same is planned for India in the coming years.

We have plans to introduce the full range of interconnection and digital infrastructure services, including the launch of Equinix Fabric™. This will allow customers in India to leverage Equinix’s digital infrastructure to expedite their digital journeys, better serve their customers and expand their digital presence in other markets around the world. With customers in India now getting access to Equinix’s ecosystem, we are very well-positioned to be a critical driving force for the digital revolution in India.

We also see a keen interest among many of Equinix’s existing 10,000+ customers to establish their presence in India and we’re gearing up to support their expansion plans. All in all, it’s going to be very exciting years ahead!

JD: With digital transformation firmly on the agenda of enterprises and a booming start-up ecosystem in India, how do you see the market evolving over the next few years? What are some of the key technologies that will shape the future?

MP: The Indian government’s budget this year gives data centers and energy storage systems infrastructure status in India and many states have rolled out special incentives and ease of doing business policies for data centers. These are highly progressive measures to accelerate the growth of digital infrastructure. These measures, along with the announcement of 5G spectrum sale for this year and the impending rollout of 5G, will have a very positive impact on the data center industry. Many sectors like government, education, finance, entertainment and e-commerce, and trends like virtual meetings and work from anywhere, will continue to be highly dependent on digital ecosystems, which will drive demand for data centers and interconnection- based digital infrastructure.

With the massive growth in data volume due to the rise in consumption of digital services, existing and upcoming undersea international cable links, access to skilled resources, and data center incentive policies at state and national levels, India is very well positioned to grow as a critical hub in Southeast Asia and will play a key role in the global data center market in the future.

JD: What is your talent strategy for the market? How are you prioritizing upskilling and inclusion in a hybrid work environment?

MP: Good question. Aggressive expansion plans require additional manpower. We are currently looking at lateral hiring from the industry and at the same time building a talent pool by recruiting fresh graduates from campuses. We also have a high focus on giving growth opportunities to existing team members by upskilling them. Our training and mentorship programs leverage Equinix’s experienced mentor community throughout Asia-Pacific and globally. Another important aspect we’re leveraging is on-the-job training by involving our operations teams during the building, testing, and commissioning of new International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data centers, which is a unique learning opportunity.

JD: How would you describe your management style?

MP: I’m a hands-on person who believes in “Devil is in the details” and likes to lead from the front. While planning is a critical aspect of management, execution is the key to success. In other words, that’s where the rubber meets the road. I’m highly focused on getting things done with empathy towards all stakeholders and customer-centricity in all activities. For a leader, success lies in getting the team to deliver to their maximum potential by guiding them and aligning them towards a well-articulated common end objective.

In a fast-evolving business environment, it’s also essential for me to continue my learning journey. I focus on constantly upskilling and absorbing knowledge through participation in industry forums and interactions with thought leaders — keeping in step with the latest in the industry so that with the changing business environment, I can continue to add value to my team.

JD: To wrap up, tell us something about yourself that we don’t already know.

MP: Here’s something fun — I am a big foodie! Fortunately, I regularly exercise and go for walks to justify my indulgence. While others believe in “eat to live,” my motto is “live to eat.”

Leveraging growth opportunities in India

This has been an exciting conversation, and I hope it has provided more insight into Manoj’s journey and his impressive vision for Equinix India. I look forward to working with him to support the expansion of more of our global customers into this amazing market!

Unlock the opportunities for Indian businesses expanding internationally and for multinational corporations pursuing growth and innovation in the Indian market. Get in touch with the team at Equinix India to learn more about how we can collaborate and take your business to new interconnectivity heights.

Want to join a industry leading tech pioneer with 70+ quarters of growth? Explore career opportunities now.

The original article was published on Equinix Interconnections Blog.

Equinix PrideConnect: We Celebrate Pride All Year Long

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 05:01:53 +0000

Inclusivity is the cornerstone of our culture at Equinix, making a difference for our LBGTQ+ community.

When I first joined PrideConnect, our LGBTQ+ Employee Connection Network, I was elated that I could be part of a community that encouraged me to show up as my authentic self and provided me the ability to connect with peers on empowering and real topics. That was a true gift. Now, here we are three years later and I see how far we have advanced our internal movement and I am proud of the work we have done.

So, as we kick off what I love to call Summer of Pride, I reflect on how far we have come but also how much work there is left to do. Summer of Pride offers a time to celebrate and share, but also reminds us that we can’t stop. We have to continue our efforts and remember that we have to show up every day to continue to create an impact in our workplaces and our communities. The work we are doing at Equinix is powerful. Through PrideConnect events, education and community we are finding ways to connect on a global scale.

The PrideConnect Network at Equinix is focused on external, internal and community partnerships worldwide. In APAC—where I’m based—we are proud to be a founding member of Pride in Tech, with over a dozen customers/partners, to raise awareness, share best practices and resources and lobby for LGBTQ+ rights & protection collectively in the region.

With the support of our leadership, we have made significant advancements worldwide by hosting many LGBTQ+ events in 2021, with hundreds of attendees participating. In APAC, we also increased our Pride Ambassador program by 60% to help drive employee engagement in various markets across the region. We could not deliver the events and programs we do without the unwavering commitment of our ambassadors.

Globally, we have also increased our focus on driving impact in our communities through regional and local sponsorships; here in APAC that includes PinkDot Hong Kong, PinkFest Singapore, and the Equal Love Campaign. And we are not done, we are currently focused on establishing stronger relationships with NGOs such as Minus18 in Australia, and RebitLGBT in Japan.

As a result of our community efforts in APAC, I was named the winner of the LGBT+ Inclusion Champion in Asia award this May. These awards demonstrate the focus on inclusion across the region by sharing case studies of how companies are executing their Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) initiatives. It was an honor to be recognized alongside two other great champions in Asia and it is a testament to our efforts to advance LGBT+ awareness and education, in hopes to influence change and shift mindsets. I truly could not have done this without the support and dedication of all our Asia ambassadors and members.

I believe we are all on a self-learning journey. With an optimistic and pragmatic approach, I am confident we will see the change we want. But it is my colleagues and friends who share it best–through their personal stories of what Pride means to them, the value PrideConnect brings to them and how they are helping to further our movement. I recently connected with Alex, Vesna and Billy to learn more about their journeys and how our community supports them in the regions where they work.

Here are their stories:

Alex Deng – AMER

I am proud to be part of PrideConnect at Equinix. It is a journey where I learn, accept, and love who I am. It’s a place where I feel safe to be my authentic self at work and home. PrideConnect creates a platform where our allies and members of the community stand together to lift each other up. It’s a safe place where we can speak up freely and honestly, especially for people who can’t find their voice.
With the support of our leadership, we have made significant advancements worldwide by hosting many LGBTQ+ events in 2021, with hundreds of attendees participating."
I am fortunate that I’ve attended Capital Pride several times. The parade and festival are full of cheering and dancing. It’s a place where you can be loud and proud. There are also other spectacular events organized by local non-profits throughout the year, such as volunteer events, local exhibits, and book clubs. They are great ways to support, listen and learn.

This year, for Pride, I’m looking forward to seeing Above & Beyond in New York City with my boyfriend Nick. Thanks to the support from the We Are Equinix Virginia chapter and our global DIB team, we are partnering with Equality Loudoun to support the Loudoun Pride Festival. I’m going to volunteer alongside Equinix colleagues and friends to make our first Pride festival in Loudoun the biggest, boldest and most colorful pride festival in Northern Virginia!

As I think back on who inspires me, there are plenty of celebrities, authors, scientists and athletes who have inspired me growing up. But it is truly my furry friend Maxie (8-year-old Sheltie) who has inspired me every single day. His unconditional love helps me look at my own behavior and inspires me to do better. Maxie never passes up an opportunity to play and have fun and he truly lives in the moment. His playfulness reminds me to take time to enjoy what’s around us. When I’m sick and down, Maxie always sits close and never leaves my side. His endless loyalty has shown me an important virtue in every relationship.

Vesna Plevnik – EMEA

I grew up in a very conservative culture and environment so my road to coming out—like so many others—has not been easy. I always felt the need to wear a mask to cover up my identity or to feel safe. It took me a long time to gather the courage to start living my truth and to ‘’come out’’. And the reason for me is simple: ‘’because it is OK.’’

As a woman and an immigrant, there are multiple misconceptions about my identity. In a world full of stereotypes, and tendencies for unconscious bias, it can be uncomfortable engaging in conversations where people create their own labels for you. And it is not always easy or comfortable to correct them. People need to be aware of their questions and understand that some questions are perceived negatively even when they are simply curious.

This is why PrideConnect is especially important to me–it provides a community and a safe space where everyone can be themselves, ask questions and learn. Pride is a celebration of one being their true self without any fear of prosecution or exclusion. It offers a voice to those who are afraid to speak out and space for everyone who feels they do not belong. Because here we do belong.

I remember attending my first pride event–the Pride Parade in Amsterdam. I was in my early 20s and I had just moved to the Netherlands. It was amazing and liberating to see the whole country coming together to celebrate every color of the rainbow. Now my Pride Month celebrations are much simpler. I like to take part and watch the parade with my friends and we enjoy various events and speeches. It is so much fun seeing rainbow flags everywhere and walking down decorated streets.

Billy Wu – APAC

I have been in the closet for my entire life in the workplace before joining PrideConnect. I felt that by coming out I might lose the chance for promotion or people might look down on me and my abilities due to my sexuality. Knowing that it was still culturally acceptable to refer to me as a “homo” I was not prepared to share my story.

I think that many people have misconceptions about my identity and tend to draw their own conclusions. Often I am perceived as straight and asked various questions about family planning and kids, especially around the New Year or at family reunions. It makes for difficult conversations and I don’t always know how to respond to make them understand as I fear some people are not always accepting of homosexuality.
This is why PrideConnect is especially important to me–it provides a community and a safe space where everyone can be themselves, ask questions and learn."
But joining PrideConnect has been inspiring for me. The Pride Ally team and our PrideConnect leadership have shown so much sincerity, kindness and acceptance that it makes it easier for me to feel safe in the workplace–it honestly relieves my soul. And, through our mentoring program, I have connected more deeply with Ada and feel encouraged to advocate and promote Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging more broadly in our organization.

Our Pride Events also inspire me to action. During our Pride in Tech event in April, I was touched by the sharing and personal stories. Hearing from others about what they are going through–or have gone through–what I am experiencing encourages me to overcome my own difficulties.

This Pride Month, I have a lot to celebrate! My wedding with my same-sex partner was postponed from March due to the pandemic so we are going to celebrate in June–followed by a special trip to New York City where we’ll join the Pride Parade for the first time!

I want to thank Equinix leadership for their support of PrideConnect. The support from management is crucial and it gives me reassurance that the company embraces diversity and I feel more connected to Equinix and part of the family. I am very grateful for how PrideConnect has made me shine and accept myself.

My colleagues’ stories are as impactful as they are inspiring and I am grateful that I can stand alongside them to share our stories, our hopes and our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. I think that I speak for all Equinix PrideConnect members when I say how grateful I am to work for a company that respects me, and encourages me to show up as my authentic self and where I can be who I am–without judgment or bias.

I invite you to join us–be part of the culture, be part of the movement. Explore opportunities to join the inclusive Equinix team–worldwide.

This article was first published on Equinix Interconnection Blog.

Le datacentre du futur fait ses débuts en France

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer l’ouverture prochaine de notre premier datacentre Equinix International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) – qui sera également le premier datacentre modulaire neutre vis-à-vis des opérateurs – à Bordeaux, en France. Les raisons qui ont motivé le choix de la ville s’inscrivent bien au-delà de la qualité de ses vins ou de sa riche histoire remontant à l’Empire romain.

La convergence de diverses forces, notamment la croissance rapide de plus petites métropoles, le le développement de l’edge computing ou encore les impératifs de neutralité climatique, est en train de façonner les datacentres de demain. L’emplacement géographique a toujours joué un rôle fondamental dans la conception des datacentres, notamment en raison de facteurs tels que la proximité aux sources d’énergie, aux possibilités de connexion, aux entreprises et aux utilisateurs. Or, sous l’impulsion de l’Internet des objets (IoT), de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) et de la 5G, la généralisation de l’edge entraîne un besoin d’installations de plus petite taille et pouvant être construites plus rapidement, afin de répartir les services en dehors des grandes zones métropolitaines. En concevant des datacentres selon des principes éprouvés s’inscrivant dans une approche modulaire standardisée, nous posons les jalons d’une infrastructure numérique durable et capable de s’adapter aux besoins des entreprises à la demande, en tout lieu.

Bordeaux, une ville appelée à grandir

La transformation numérique s’accélère partout en France. Mais, alors que les FLAP (Francfort, Londres, Amsterdam et Paris) restent des plaques tournantes du numérique en Europe, la France jouit d’une position favorable à l’essor de ses métropoles plus modestes. En effet, de nombreuses villes françaises de second rang, dont Bordeaux, se développent plus rapidement que la capitale.[i] Située sur la côte atlantique, à quelques heures au sud-ouest de Paris, Bordeaux abrite des écosystèmes florissants dans les secteurs de l’aérospatiale, du laser/de l’optique ainsi que de la santé numérique et des sciences de la vie. En 2020, elle était l’un des trois plus importants pôles d’attraction de start-ups du pays après Paris.[ii] Parmi les autres indicateurs de croissance, on trouve :[iii]

L’une des villes françaises à la croissance la plus rapide dans le domaine de l’e-santé et des emplois numériques
Première zone métropolitaine de France en matière de création d’entreprises (+18,7 %), soit plus de 10 000 nouvelles entreprises créées par an
Un fort soutien du gouvernement en faveur des start-ups par le biais d’associations/initiatives telles que French Tech Bordeaux
Un important pôle de recherche numérique avec un millier de scientifiques
Une liaison ferroviaire à grande vitesse avec Paris (deux heures)
Une fibre haut débit relativement dense (voir carte de déploiement ci-dessous)

Source: Arcep

Bordeaux est également un point d’arrivée stratégique de câbles sous-marins, ce qui en fait un potentiel hub numérique d’envergure internationale. L’IBX de Bordeaux (BX1) servira de point de connexion pour un nouveau câble baptisé AMITIE, qui reliera la France aux États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni afin de créer une nouvelle passerelle européenne pour les échanges entre les États-Unis et l’Europe. AMITIE et un autre câble récemment raccordé à Bordeaux, Dunant, présentent une capacité supérieure à celle de tous les systèmes de câbles sous-marins transatlantiques existants.[iv] L’arrivée de ces méga-câbles près de Bordeaux attirera les opérateurs réseau dans la région, qui à leur tour feront venir les hyperscalers et les fournisseurs de services cloud désireux d’étendre leurs services cloud à l’edge. Par conséquent, les entreprises qui souhaitent se rapprocher de ce nouveau marché numérique chercheront à s’implanter au sein d’une installation à la fois locale et neutre vis-à-vis des opérateurs.

Source de l’image: Orange

Une conception modulaire innovante pour des constructions éclair

Le datacentre Equinix BX1 fournira des services d’interconnexion, de connexion haut débit et d’hébergement d’infrastructures sécurisés et résilients. Il offrira en outre un accès direct et rapide à l’écosystème d’Equinix Paris, qui comprend déjà plus de 110 opérateurs réseau, plus de 200 fournisseurs de services cloud et informatiques, plus de 40 sociétés de services financiers et plus de 60 entreprises de contenu et de médias numériques. La proximité à Paris permettra également aux leaders numériques de renforcer leur résilience en profitant d’une solution de reprise après sinistre à cheval sur les datacentres IBX des deux métropoles. Mieux encore, les entreprises pourront s’interconnecter instantanément avec les partenaires de leur chaîne logistique mondiale grâce à des services d’interconnexion tels qu’Equinix Fabric™ et profiter ainsi de nouvelles perspectives commerciales (voir illustration ci-dessous).

BX1 sera le premier datacentre Equinix à bénéficier des principes de conception edge modulaire novateurs permettant de déployer des infrastructures en un temps record. Chaque module regroupe plusieurs fonctions dans un même bloc – par exemple, l’ensemble des équipements de refroidissement – et intègre les bonnes pratiques que nous avons acquises lors de nos déploiements hyperscale et de détail. Le recours à un catalogue standard de modules de conception permet de réduire les coûts et le temps de déploiement tout en améliorant l’efficacité, l’évolutivité et la flexibilité.

La conception edge modulaire comprend les autres avantages suivants :

La rapidité de déploiement due au système de préfabrication
Les multiples possibilités de configuration offertes par la conception modulaire
La possibilité de reproduire un même design à différentes échelles
Le déploiement de capacités dans des lieux où l’espace est habituellement limité
Les déploiements abrités et non abrités
Une plateforme d’énergie découplée qui prend en charge plusieurs sources d’énergie tout en offrant un stockage d’énergie plus écologique et une meilleure résilience

Le nouveau datacentre IBX de Bordeaux présentera une surface d’environ 3 000 m2 répartie sur 12 modules. Il offrira 220 armoires d’une puissance de 1 000 kW au cours de la phase 1. La phase 2 permettra d’ajouter 240 armoires, la capacité finale prévue étant de 1 440 armoires et d’une puissance de 6 MW.

Dessin du projet BX1

La conception modulaire du BX1 est également respectueuse de l’environnement, ce qui lui vaudra les certifications aux normes environnementales et énergétiques les plus strictes. Cette démarche reflète la volonté d’Equinix de préserver l’environnement en réduisant notre dépendance aux combustibles fossiles, en minimisant notre empreinte carbone et en créant des datacentres résilients et efficaces. Cette stratégie comporte également certains avantages pour des villes comme Bordeaux. Alors que certaines collectivités locales peuvent se montrer réticentes à la prolifération des datacentres dans leur région, l’approche modulaire et plus discrète d’Equinix garantit une conception écologique de bout en bout. Un datacentre peut ainsi apporter des avantages économiques à la région tout en minimisant l’impact sur l’environnement.

Grâce à l’infrastructure numérique de Platform Equinix, les entreprises situées à Bordeaux ou souhaitant opérer en France pourront se connecter efficacement et en toute sécurité à tous leurs partenaires et clients dans le monde entier. Comptant plus de 220 installations sur cinq continents, Equinix permet aux entreprises françaises de se connecter rapidement et facilement aux principaux marchés mondiaux, y compris les centres financiers et les passerelles vers les économies émergentes.

Pour en savoir plus, lisez le rapport Gartner “Infrastructure Is Everywhere: The Evolution Of Data Centers”.

Pour en savoir plus sur nos datacentres français, cliquez ici.

[i] ESPON, Second Tier Cities and Territorial Development in Europe: Performance, Policies and Prospects, Jan 2013; Wikipedia, Urban area (France), last updated Feb 2021.

[ii] Sifted, The French tech revolution: How France’s startups made it to centre stage, sponsored by La French Tech, 2021; Wikipedia, Bordeaux Economy, last updated Feb 2021.

[iii] Culture trip, Understanding the Startup Ecosystem in Bordeaux, Aug 2018; Invest in Bordeaux, Digital Metropolis and Territory of Entrepreneurs, translated to English; Arcep, Map of fiber deployments, last updated Jan 2021. The Fiber to the home (FttH) coverage rate of a municipality assesses the proportion of housing or premises for professional use that can be connected to one or more FttH networks.

[iv] Total Telecom, The French Connection: Orange boasts two submarine cables linking France to the US, Jan 2021

The original article was first published on Equinix Interconnections Blog.

Making an impact with our Customer Success team

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 10:14:48 +0000

Our Customer Success team puts our customers at the center of everything we do. Together with other global teams, they work to ensure our customers are supported every step of the way, from the installation and the day-to-day running of their data center operations, to delivering an exceptional customer experience.

We sat down with Marcos Pineda, Director of Customer Success for the Asia-Pacific region, to learn more about the opportunities in the Customer Success team.

What is the biggest opportunity for a Customer Success Manager in this role?

A Customer Success Manager has the unique opportunity to connect our customers’ objectives to our fantastic capabilities—the products and services that Equinix has to offer.

Why is this such an important role within your team?

These days, every business is on the move to adapt to a new reality. This role is fundamental to help customers grab the opportunity to go digital and to do it fast.

What does a great leader look like at Equinix? What’s your leadership style?

A great leader at Equinix models our values, shows obsession for our customers’ success and prioritizes our employees’ wellbeing on a daily basis.

What made you decide to join the team at Equinix?

It was 100% the incredible team I interacted with during an intense recruitment process. It’s always the people!

What gets you excited about coming to work in the morning? What do you love the most about working at Equinix?

Equinix is a special place. The super strong culture is apparent at all levels. It starts with the employees and ends with our customers.

What do you look for when recruiting for your team?

I look for talent eager to grow, learn and lead change. I also look for people who are an active part of their communities and who are ready to make a positive impact.

How would you describe the culture of your team and at Equinix?

Our team is very aligned to Equinix’s values. We work smart and care for each other.

How do you ensure your direct report(s) feel well-supported in their lives both in and out of the office, especially during this pandemic?

The pandemic has been a challenge but one to embrace. As a team, we have discovered new aspects in our lives, and we are walking that journey together.

Flexibility is more important than ever. It’s a discovery process where we’ll define what works best for us as conditions change.

What do you believe is the No. 1 thing managers must do when onboarding new employees?

Onboarding is a lasting experience. At Equinix, we go all-in when a new employee joins.

In my view, managers must do three things:
1) connect personally;
2) provide guidance on what makes Equinix special;
3) be curious about new employees’ ideas and impressions.

Why is diversity in your team so important to you?

Diversity is beyond important—it’s fundamental. It’s the only way for a team to achieve its full potential.

If you're inspired to join our Customer Success team, check out the roles here.

Paris, carrefour de l’accélération du numérique et du business responsable

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Art, Mode, Sport, Gastronomie ou encore Architecture : autant d’aspérités qui caractérisent Paris pour nombre de personnes dans le monde. Pour ses résidents, tout comme pour ses primo-visiteurs, Paris est tout autant un concept qu’une ville.

Si Paris est un concept dans nos esprits, tâchons de ne pas oublier ce que Paris, la ville, est devenue. Elle est désormais un moteur du développement économique en Europe et accueille le siège social de 29 des multinationales du palmarès Fortune Global 500. La région parisienne est désormais la plus grande métropole en Europe et un carrefour de rencontres et d’interaction pour une population qui se veut toujours plus diverse et multiculturelle. Cette région est également un hub essentiel pour se connecter aux écosystèmes numériques, un hub intégré à ce qu’Equinix nomme la “digital silk road” (route de la soie numérique). Enfin, et ce point est particulièrement intéressant, Paris accueille nombre d’instances du Service Public, d’entreprises et d’organismes de recherche qui conjuguent leurs efforts pour lutter contre les effets du changement climatique et promouvoir le développement durable.

Pour toutes ces raisons, et davantage, être parisien est une fierté pour moi, tout comme apporter le meilleur de ce qu’Equinix peut offrir à ma ville.

Paris, un point de convergence des écosystèmes numériques

Selon le rapport Global Interconnection Index (GXI) Volume 5, la bande passante dédiée à l’interconnexion devrait progresser à un taux annuel moyen de 47% d’ici 2024 sur la région Parisienne, surperformant ainsi la croissance sur les autres métropoles de la zone Europe, Moyen-Orient et Afrique (EMEA). Ainsi, Paris devrait, à elle seule, peser pour 12 % de la bande passante totale d’interconnexion sur la région EMEA. Ces chiffres témoignent de ce que nous savons déjà au sein de la communauté business de Paris : les écosystèmes numériques au sein et autour de la ville se renforcent, une croissance nourrie par l’expansion des entreprises locales et l’accueil de multinationales et de fournisseurs de services qui veulent capitaliser sur ce que Paris a à offrir.

Le GXI souligne que Paris est une métropole de tout premier rang pour de nombreux secteurs d’activité, jouant un rôle clé en matière de services métiers et professionnels, d’énergies, de services publics et de transport. Ce leadership se reflète dans les caractéristiques de la bande passante d’interconnexion : par rapport aux autres métropoles de la région, c’est à Paris que la bande passante est avant tout issue de la connectivité des partenaires business.

La part moins importante de bande passante d’interconnexion issue de fournisseurs cloud est une vraie opportunité commerciale. De nombreuses entreprises françaises s’attachent à nouer des partenariats avec des fournisseurs cloud d’envergure mondiale pour offrir des services cloud souverains. Ces services aideront les entreprises à tirer parti des fonctionnalités numériques modernes tout en assurant la conformité réglementaire en France et en Europe.

Connecter la France au monde
...Paris représentera à elle seule 12 % du total de la bande passante d'interconnexion dans toute la région EMEA."
Si Paris domine l’économie française, la ville est aussi un hub de connexion majeur entre l’Europe de l’Ouest et le monde. L’accès de la France à la Manche, à l’océan Atlantique et à la Méditerranée en fait un carrefour pour les câbles sous-marins qui véhiculent le trafic internet d’un continent à un autre. La proximité de Paris des côtes maritimes, et le marché majeur que cette ville représente font de Paris un point d’arrivée évident pour le trafic acheminé par câble sous-marin en provenance de multiples régions.

Sur la côte Atlantique, la ville de Bordeaux est devenue un des points d’arrivée majeurs pour les câbles sous-marins entre les États-Unis et l’Europe. C’est notamment le cas pour les nouveaux câbles Amitié et Dunant qui présentent tous les deux des capacités plus importantes que tous les autres câbles transatlantiques. Sur la côte méditerranéenne, Marseille tient le haut du pavé en tant que station d’arrivée des câbles qui connectent l’Europe à l’Afrique et au Moyen-Orient, notamment 2Africa, le plus important des projets de câble sous-marin dans le monde. 2Africa interconnecte les régions de 33 pays en Afrique, au Moyen-Orient, en Europe et en Inde. Marseille et Bordeaux sont accessibles depuis Paris par une connectivité en fibre optique à faible latence.

Enfin, notons que les tout premiers câbles sous-marins ont été déployés dès 1850 pour interconnecter Paris à Londres par télégraphe. Des décennies plus tard, les liaisons sous la Manche permettent d’interconnecter deux hubs numériques majeurs en Europe. Ainsi, le câble CrossChannel, inauguré en 2021 offre une connectivité de plus de 20 Tbps par paire de fibres entre Londres et Paris, avec une latence ultra-faible.

Dans ce contexte, les entreprises qui déploient leur infrastructure numérique à Paris pourront s’interconnecter à un écosystème dense d’entreprises et de fournisseurs de services présents sur la région. Au-delà, elles bénéficieront d’un accès à faible latence vers l’Amérique du Nord, l’Afrique et le Moyen-Orient. Cette connectivité globale est un vecteur d’opportunités pour se rapprocher des clients présents sur de nouveaux marchés géographiques ou pour favoriser l’innovation via de nouveaux partenariats.

L’investissement massif d’Equinix à Paris et favorise l’accélération numérique et le développement durable

L’annonce du nouveau datacenter Equinix PA10 illustre l’engagement d’Equinix auprès de ses clients français à leur apporter une infrastructure numérique qui favorise leur réussite au sein d’un environnement métier en mutation. PA10 s’inscrit dans le projet d’Equinix d’investir 1 M€ en France sur les 5 prochaines années, une enveloppe en supplément des €1,2 milliard déjà mobilisés pour ce pays.

Je suis particulièrement enthousiaste d’annoncer ces nouveaux investissements qui témoignent à quel point une infrastructure numérique est essentielle, aussi bien en France que dans le monde. Nous savons que les services numériques se sont révélés particulièrement utiles lors de la pandémie, dans le cadre du travail, des études et du divertissement. En se projetant dans l’avenir, nous savons déjà que le numérique sera essentiel à la reprise de nos économies post-pandémie.

Pour autant, je reste persuadé que reprise économique et développement durable vont de pair. Equinix est un moteur d’accélération du numérique dans un contexte de développement durable. Nous pensons que notre métier nous impose de collaborer activement avec les acteurs du Service Public, de définir des objectifs ambitieux de développement durable, et bien sûr, de les atteindre. Le datacenter PA10 est un exemple parmi tant d’autres de la mise en œuvre de notre stratégie durable Future First.

Une fois finalisé, le datacenter PA10 sera le fer de lance de multiples innovations liées au développement durable, avec notamment un projet de récupération de chaleur à partir des équipements de clients présents dans le datacenter pour injecter cette énergie dans le réseau de chauffage urbain de proximité. Le toit de l’installation accueillera une serre dotée d’un système hors-sol pour la culture de fruits et légumes. Cette serre favorisera la maîtrise de la consommation d’eau, avec un système de récupération des eaux de pluie, et une irrigation restreinte aux zones en cours d’exploitation. Au-delà de réduire ses émissions de chaleur, cette serre en altitude prendra soin de réduire le volume d’eau rejeté vers les égouts.

Rendu de l’International Business Exchange (IBX) PA10 d’Equinix à Paris, France

PA10 est le nouveau-né parmi les datacenters International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) d’Equinix à Paris, à savoir trois installations denses et interconnectées à Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers et Pantin, ainsi qu’un datacenter autonome à Courbevoie. Les entreprises qui souhaitent se développer sur Paris peuvent tirer avantage d’une interconnexion directe, privée et à faible latence vers plus de 1 200 clients et partenaires de distribution. Elles peuvent également se connecter à des milliers d’autres entreprises faisant parti de l’écosystème mondial des partenaires Equinix.

Data centers IBX d’Equinix sur Paris

Equinix Paris permet à ses clients de déployer et de connecter des infrastructures numériques, du cœur vers la périphérie de ces infrastructures, en tirant parti de multiples services IT :

Equinix Fabric™ – Interconnecte des infrastructures et services digitaux à la demande, de manière ultrarapide, via une liaison sécurisée et programmable (software-defined) entre et vers différentes métropoles. Les entreprises présentes sur Equinix Fabric peuvent s’étendre vers les zones géographiques où sont présents leurs collaborateurs, leurs partenaires et leurs clients.
Network Edge – Modernise votre réseau et déploie l’infrastructure numérique de fournisseurs majeurs en périphérie de votre réseau, en quelques minutes.
Equinix Metal™ – Automatise le provisioning des équipements bare-metal et permet de déployer une infrastructure matérielle à la demande. Ce service assure une évolutivité pour s’adapter aux capacités requises par vos besoins métier.
Equinix Connect™ – Offre un accès à Internet via différents fournisseurs d’accès, regroupés en un seul lieu et régis selon les termes d’un seul contrat.
Equinix Internet Exchange – Assure l’échange de trafic internet via la solution de peering la plus importante au monde, sur différents marchés.
IBX SmartViewTM – Donne un accès temps réel à des données opérationnelles et environnementales pertinentes pour vos activités au sein du data center IBX.
Equinix Managed Services – Relève les défis liés au réseau, à la sécurité, aux données, aux applications et au multicloud, grâce à notre équipe d’experts offrant des solutions de data centers et de services managés. L’accès aux principales plateformes cloud, dont Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud et Microsoft Azure, est assuré.
En tant qu’acteur majeur des infrastructures numériques dans le monde, Equinix offre une plateforme mondiale de confiance qui rassemble et interconnecte l’infrastructure qui sous-tend la réussite des opérations numériques. Découvrez comment étendre votre activité locale et mondiale avec Equinix Paris, ou contactez-nous dès aujourd’hui pour un accompagnement sur mesure.

Ressources complémentaires

Dans la vidéo “Pourquoi choisir Paris ?”, j’échange avec Lionel Grotto, Directeur Général de l’agence Choose Paris Region, sur les avantages de mener vos activités sur la région parisienne.

The article was first published on the Equinix Interconnections Blog.

How to unleash your superpower by embracing your authentic leadership style

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Michele Lada, the senior director of sales in Northern California for Equinix, works with a team of seasoned sellers, managing some of the company’s most strategic client relationships. She joined the company about a year ago, with two decades of technology sales experience — and an inspirational personal journey to leadership.

“As someone who did not have a woman mentor or role model for most of my career, I was reluctant to get into people management for the first 15 years of my career,” Lada tells Fairygodboss. But then, “in 2015, I was fortunate enough to have a female director who saw my potential and found ways to inspire me to come out of my introverted shell and realize how much more I could contribute,” states Lada.

Although Lada recalls initially pushing back at the idea of going into management, “during the one-on-one meetings I had with that director/mentor, she told me that I was a natural leader of people by the way I coordinated my global team and rallied my peers for the good of the organization,” Lada explains. “She taught me that it is okay to focus on your personal brand management and, by gaining more respect and responsibility, you can have a greater impact on an organization and your clients.”

When her mentor left the company, leaving her in charge, Lada found herself quickly stepping into the leadership role and finding more fulfillment in the mentoring and coaching aspect than she ever had closing a deal as an account executive.

“I jumped into the role wholeheartedly and made enough of a visible impact that I was promoted to lead other sales directors as our organization grew,” Lada shares. “My visible passion for problem solving, client experience, executive positioning and consensus building helped me gain the respect of my peers and senior leaders and continued additional responsibility.”

Here, we caught up with Lada to learn more about her foray into sales leadership. Here’s what she had to say.

Managing people — especially if you’re new to it — is not easy. How has Equinix and your own manager helped set you up for success? How is this kind of support reflective of the overall culture at Equinix?
People management is a huge responsibility. You hold another's livelihood and, sometimes, happiness in your hands. When I first became a people leader, I had no playbook to follow and learned a lot by my mistakes on the job. These weighed heavily. Since joining Equinix, I've been afforded a wealth of resources when it comes to personal and professional development.

We have access to one-on-one coaching, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. My coach really helped me understand how I could leverage my own style with many personality types while maintaining authenticity. My leader here is also a great sounding board and offers a safe space for me to be vulnerable, but also for me to offer him constructive feedback. The Equinix culture allows us a safe space to ask for help while offering the leeway to develop our own leadership styles.

What’s been your most valuable career mistake in your leadership journey?
When I first became a sales director, I thought the way to success was doing things the way my boss did. If I could make him look good, make my number, and not create any waves, then I was doing my job. It really didn't feel good and took a physical and emotional toll. I thought I wasn't cut out for management. It took a while for me to understand two things: there is a big difference between being a manager and being a leader; I wanted to be a leader.

Secondly, authenticity is the most important part of being a leader. I don't have to have the same strengths as my managers. In fact, complementary skill sets are more important when building an organization. Once I felt comfortable that I could define my own leadership style, not only did my career take off, but my mental and physical well-being righted themselves. Equinix allows me to flourish in a way that wasn't possible in other organizations.

What’s something you’re especially good at work and outside of work?
I have spent my years as a leader practicing the art of listening even to those who might not be speaking up. I try to foster an environment where anyone, regardless of whether they work directly with me or not, can come to me for advice or just to vent. If we take the time to really get to know what motivates each individual, we can help them bring out their own personal superpower, which benefits all of us.

Outside of work, I love hosting people and doing dinner parties whether extravagant or just Taco Tuesday. Creating an environment where people can relax and share the best of what they have to offer always makes me smile. I'm also pretty proud of my prolific rose gardens.

What are you trying to improve on?
As my own worst critic, I am always looking for areas of self-improvement. Over the past year, I am working on saying "no" more, which has been a lifelong challenge. I can't say that I am successful yet, but I've become much more aware of my time limitations and the impact of taking on too much. I find it much easier to coach others on this topic but am continuing to make a conscious effort to choose the bigger impact versus the sheer number of tasks.

What’s the one career move you’ve made that you’re most proud of?
I almost didn't apply to Equinix for a few reasons. First of all, I was only nine months into a new job that I still enjoyed and felt an obligation to “stick it out.” Secondly, the job I applied for was an executive level that I wasn't sure I was ready for at a company as successful as Equinix.

I am proud of myself for taking the leap on what I thought was a stretch goal to see what could happen. I knew I was leaving my former company in a better place than I found it, and though I didn’t get the role I originally applied for, I was able to move into an extremely fulfilling leadership position at a company I love. I still remember the weekend I almost made the decision not to apply and that inspires me daily to never count myself out.

The original article was published on Fairygodboss.

Our US sales team is expanding. Learn more about open roles with our US sales team.

You own your own career growth - 5 tips from an Equinix sales leader

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 19:00:00 +0000

"Many people believe that developing your career means changing companies, and not infrequently."
Marianne van Duin, Regional Vice President

I’ve learned that you’re responsible for your own career, and you need to manage your own path. Even if you decide to stay with one company, you can (and should) grow your career and volunteer for additional responsibility. I get concerned when I review resumes that show an individual changing jobs every one to one-and-a-half years. By the time you really understand the company and your role and can contribute fully and let everyone know what you’re capable of, you’re leaving. I have more confidence in people who show commitment and take on additional responsibilities or those who have rotated jobs within the same company. This indicates loyalty.

My top tips are as follows:

1. Develop a strong personal brand and be visible.

A strong personal brand and a credible reputation puts you on the radar for exciting career opportunities. So make sure your colleagues know who you are and something about your unique skills and accomplishments. Learn to tell your career story in a concise and interesting way. That said, don’t expect you’ll be approached for a new role or promotion. I learned this the hard way. I was bypassed for positions while less qualified colleagues were getting the job. You have to speak up and let management know you’re the best candidate for the job.

Let management know you’re interested, and that you want the job. Many women make the mistake of not applying for roles they’re capable of doing. Instead, they work hard and wait to be recognised and rewarded. If you don’t apply, you can’t get the job. Assess your skills, and ask yourself if you’re capable of doing the job. If the answer is yes, then what are you waiting for?

2. Build your network.
Establish networks both inside and outside of your organization so that you have plenty of options. You want people to remember your name when interesting projects are being discussed. Building a strong network is worth the investment of your time and effort.

3. Ask for feedback. Feedback is a gift. With feedback, you can improve, learn and grow.

4. Be persistent. If you really want that job or promotion, don't give up. Sometimes things don't happen as fast as we'd like, but once you've set a goal, stay focused.

5. Find a mentor. Building your network will help you find a suitable mentor. I’ve been lucky; I’ve had some excellent mentors throughout my career. Select a few mentors to guide you in different areas. Pay it forward. I’m mentoring several women in Equinix. It’s fulfilling to mentor women who have just started their careers. And I’m getting better at it.

The above practices have allowed me to develop my career. As a child, I always said that when I grew up, I would work for an American company. I would travel the world, and I’d be a manager with people reporting to me. Now, many years later, my dream as a little girl has happened. If you want something, you can make it happen. Nothing comes easy in life. Destiny, fate, karma, serendipity – whatever you call it—the idea that life is determined by powers beyond our control is as old as time. Believing that you control your own path means you have recognized your internal locus of control. I took responsibility for my thoughts and actions and their outcomes. By thinking this way, you can become unstoppable.

Acquiring a sales leadership position happened naturally and was part of the journey I had set for myself. If you’re looking for an organization that empowers you to advance your career, consider an opportunity with Equinix. Our sales team is expanding globally. Check out open positions.

Leading with integrity

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 07:18:06 +0000

Marianne van Duin, Regional Vice President of Sales for growth and emerging markets in EMEA, leads seasoned sales teams in 11 countries to help some of our global customers accelerate their digital transformation journeys. In this article, we chatted with Marianne to learn more about her leadership journey.

It’s okay to make mistakes

Over the years, I had the pleasure to work with different leaders. I am still grateful for all the leaders I have worked for and can say positive things about each—how they coached me and helped me to progress my career. The biggest impact was at the start of my career. Not knowing anything, a real rookie, my first job was in IT, which at that time was still a very male-dominated environment. I am still grateful for the great leader that took me under his wings and taught me the traits of selling, customers, and leadership. At the start of my career, I was taught that it is okay to make mistakes, as you will learn the most from making mistakes. During my career, I had different leadership styles—I learned from my mistakes, adapted, and moved on. It’s okay to make mistakes if you learn, adapt and change.

Having great leaders above me makes a difference

I am not new to managing people. But having great leaders above me makes it such a nice experience. Having a great leadership team reporting into me also makes a difference. Looking back at my career at Equinix, I am so proud of my sales leaders and what we as a team have accomplished. Teamwork makes the dream work, and together we excel to new heights. I am proud that people in our team can say “I am safe, I belong, and I matter.”

My advice for new people managers would be to be an effective communicator and be creative in your approach. My current leader has the drive for excellence and makes those around him perform to higher standards. It fits like a glove with our company culture and the Magic of Equinix values.

Lead when the time is right

One of my best career moves was declining a country leadership role that I didn’t feel right taking, as I was pregnant at that time and was not willing to take on a new role with more responsibility. I didn’t feel it would have been fair of me, given that I was going on maternity leave for four months. I later turned down another sales leadership role and stepped back into an individual contributor role. People questioned this decision, but it was right for me. I always said when the time was right, I would step back into a leadership position, as I know my value and I have trust in what I am doing.

Putting people first

I spent 15 years with my former employer and had made several career moves within the same organization. When the opportunity with Equinix came, many people questioned my decision to move, as I had built a great legacy and had proven myself in the organization.

Going to Equinix was the best move I could have made. In my interviews, I was so impressed by the people and the culture of the company. After two and a half years at Equinix, I can truly say that this is a magical company.

The Magic of Equinix was created systematically and intentionally, asking what can be done to demonstrate the statement "I'm safe, I belong, and I matter." It requires commitment of time and money and, importantly, listening to the people who make up the company. Much of this work is initiated within the heart of the company rather than top-down.

Our culture is at the heart of our success. It is driven by our people, who share a passion for winning and put the customer at the center of everything we do.

At Equinix, we put the people first. The in-service to culture that I've experienced is the one difference that I don’t see in the other companies I have worked for in the past. A lot of companies are talking about it, but at Equinix, we execute this magic every day.

We’re also invested in nurturing and developing the capabilities of aspiring leaders. We have set ambitious goals for ourselves, and the key to achieving those goals is having the right leaders to take us there. So, I invite you to explore opportunities with us and join us to drive bold and meaningful change at scale.

Celebrating the Vibrant Hispanic & Latino Culture at Equinix

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 19:00:00 +0000

As we start our celebration of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month here at Equinix, it’s the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on what GenteConnect does throughout the year. One of nine Equinix Employee Connect Networks (EECN), GenteConnect provides a safe space to encourage the exploration of diverse perspectives around our languages, intersectionality and multiculturalism; it’s an environment where we can counter stereotypes and challenge perceptions.

“Gente” is the Spanish word for “people”. By bringing colleagues together in GenteConnect, we nurture understanding of our culture and gain support for our efforts to attract and develop Hispanic and Latino tech talent. We do this by curating programs and events that encourage, develop and advance our community and allies at Equinix.

For many, the Hispanic and Latino community is hard to deﬁne. Simply explained, we are a large group of hard-working, passionate and values-based individuals who, in the United States, represent a diverse set of residents and citizens whose origins span from over 26 Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries and a myriad of rich and fascinating backgrounds.

As the largest minority in the U.S., we are thought leaders, musicians, actors and filmmakers, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and top corporate executives impacting society, culture, the economy, sports, retail, media & entertainment, and more. Yet, we are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions, something GenteConnect is on a mission to change–at Equinix and beyond.

Why GenteConnect?

GenteConnect exists to promote Hispanic and Latino languages, cultures, and heritage while encouraging, developing, and advancing outstanding Hispanic and Latino talent, building cross-cultural bridges, and harnessing the power of our creativity and experience to expand the Equinix competitive advantage.

We encourage each member to celebrate what makes us different, while unifying our community toward a common goal: to Encourage, Develop, and Advance together. These are the three pillars that make up the GenteConnect Charter:

Encourage: Promote career paths that lead Hispanic and Latino professionals to Equinix, broadening our global reach.
Develop: Refine and harness the power of our talent to achieve personal and organizational success.
Advance: Collaborate with senior leaders and executives to advance Hispanic and Latino talent while influencing strategic initiative

We use this charter to maintain our focus and guide the development of programs we offer to our members, including:

Language lessons: Our diversity is reflected in our languages, which is why we facilitate Spanish and Portuguese classes. Additionally, we host English lessons.
Mentorship programs: Since one of our pillars is member development, we help them connect and learn from other members in Spanish or English.
Ambassador network: Our colleagues worldwide play a key role as ambassadors for facilitating the achievement of our initiatives and raising awareness of them.
Professional development opportunities: By partnering with organizations such as LatinaVIDA™[1],
Leading Change and McKinsey & Company, our members get access to forums where they can share and discuss topics that help propel them forward on their career paths.

Our partnership with McKinsey & Company makes it possible for U.S.-based Latino employees to participate in the McKinsey Leadership Academy. Graduates are paired with senior leaders to build relationships across the business, to access leaders with identified talents and applied learnings, and to have an advocate for their career aspirations.

Celebrating Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month at Equinix

GenteConnect has set this year’s theme as “Open your mind, Open your heart” which is intended to encourage Equinix colleagues to stray from imposed labels and perceptions that often stir up passionate opinions of preference. Our first event for the month will feature the GenteConnect leadership team holding a global discussion about who we are, what we do, and how we help our community at Equinix and beyond.

Two other main events feature role models: Erika Álvarez, NASA Systems Engineering & Integration Manager for Advanced Exploration Systems, and Peter Bratt, who is a Rockefeller Fellow, a Peabody Award winner, an Emmy-nominated, award-winning film director, writer, and producer, and a social justice activist. Finally, we’ll host our first ever in-person networking event featuring music, delicious cuisine, and more.

Making an impact beyond GenteConnect

GenteConnect has partnered with the Equinix HR and New to Career Recruiting teams to develop strategic messaging specifically for our Latino community. This includes the creation of impactful videos that highlight the magic of Equinix through our employees. These videos will be shared globally through media platforms and events during recruiting season and conferences such as the Grace Hopper Conference in September, which will attract over 30,000 women attendees from STEM and technical roles, including colleagues from Equinix.

Three of our EECNs have Women Leaders mentor circles and programs: GenteConnect, PrideConnect and YoungProfessionalsConnect. All of our EECNs offer reverse mentorship opportunities where senior leaders are mentored by employees from diverse communities. The criteria for the program can be based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, religion, gender or disabilities, with the intention to pair employees who are different in cultures, life experiences and professions.

To learn more about how you can become part of this inclusive culture as you pursue your professional goals, I invite you to explore opportunities to join the Equinix team–worldwide here.

This blog article was first published on Equinix Interconnection Blog.

Investing in the future leaders of sustainability

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 20:00:00 +0000

In 2021, we began collaborating with Singapore Management University to award a Sustainability Scholarship, aimed at motivating outstanding undergraduates who want to expand their learning across traditional academic disciplines by majoring in Sustainability. Shania Sukamto is one of two beneficiaries of the award of SGD60,000 over two years. As our Sustainability Scholar, Shania shared her thoughts and opinions on the importance of building a sustainable future.

Tell us about your time at SMU and what made you choose sustainability as your second major.

My time in SMU has been quite unconventional given the need to navigate multiple hybrid or online semesters due to the pandemic. Fortunately, despite the constraints, I was able to join student organisations such as the Impact Investing Club and the VERTS Environmental Club, where I met like-minded friends. With the flexibility of online classes, I also interned part-time for two semesters, which gave me hands-on experience.

I chose Sustainability as my second major as I felt it complemented my finance major and would allow me to pursue a career in sustainable investments, which I am passionate about. To usher a transition towards climate adaption and mitigation, we will need capital to finance new structures and implement new systems, for example, carbon trading and ESG reporting within finance. This requires a firm understanding of the intersection and opportunities between finance and sustainability.

What inspired you to apply for the scholarship?

I was inspired to apply for the scholarship as the Equinix scholarship is prestigious. It also allowed me to be more financially independent with regards to my tuition—something I’m proud of. I’ve studied the technological innovations that allow data centres to be more resource-friendly and emit less CO2, so I’m familiar with the environmental impact Equinix can make, given its position as the one of the world's largest digital infrastructure companies.

How will the scholarship and degree programme drive your career goals?

The scholarship has reinforced my conviction that this is not only a career path where I can make a positive impact in the world with my capabilities, but also one that corporations are placing greater emphasis on and directing more resources to. It has motivated me to continue working hard to become an expert in this space as I establish strong foundations in finance while constantly priming my knowledge of the sustainability space by reading and talking to leaders in the field.

What is one thing you wish people knew about sustainable innovations?

I wish people knew that sustainable innovation still needs more innovation! This sounds obvious, but despite the overwhelming number of technological inventions in recent years, many of these cannot yet be achieved at scale to replace the status quo in terms of economics, speed of production and other logistical issues. The hardest part is the implementation of these incredible science and technological discoveries, and that is where the next wave of innovation could take place. How do we make these new sustainable solutions attractive to companies and citizens? It requires faith and desire to move towards a sustainable future. Implementing new infrastructure that runs on a renewable energy source or a smart grid solution requires significant upfront investment and carries risks. However, the climate crisis threatens us all. We must be willing to invest in sustainable innovation, just as Bill Gates is supporting a variety of start-up technologies to help craft a sustainable future.

What do you visualize in tomorrow’s world of sustainability? What’s your vision of a sustainable future?

My vision of a sustainable future is one with systemic reform across society, from governments to corporations. We must overhaul the status quo to truly live in a sustainable world — one as driven by morals and ethics as it is by profits. While technological innovations can seem enticing, it’s also dangerous to place too much hope in a moon-shot solution without reflecting on what got us in this situation in the first place. For example, even if we develop a commercially viable solution for Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage, if we continue to emit massive amounts of CO2 due to our consumption habits, we will narrowly scrape by the two degrees centigrade temperature mark to avoid a climate catastrophe (assuming we can). It may sound naïve, but my vision for a sustainable future is one in which every individual is understands the reality of the climate crisis and is motivated to do all they can in their capacity to mitigate it—as a policy maker, a business owner or a consumer. While mandatory reporting or agency restrictions can be in place, it is up to every decision maker to not only adhere to these but to go beyond to solve the climate crisis.

This also applies to social sustainability, which is unfortunately overlooked as emphasis is placed on the ‘E’ in ‘ESG’. The COVID pandemic has brought to light severe injustices, both in developing and developed countries, towards employees who must work overtime or suppliers whose margins are squeezed due to cancelled orders, etc. In a world where many industries are dominated by a few large players, it’s a challenge for consumers to avoid supportin a company embroiled in human rights violations with its workers or communities living near its production sites. I envision a world where corporations are more decentralised (and I think this could be possible through all the developments in the blockchain/crypto space) so that people can be direct stakeholders of corporations and would naturally would be more conscious of how their decisions impact their fellow co-stakeholders of the firm. I’m not certain what this would look like or if it will be possible, but given the prolific activism of my generation, I believe we can create a future that is more equitable to all.

If you're interested to build the world's digital future sustainably, find out more about our internship opportunities on our Students Page.

International Women’s Day 2023: “Why equal opportunities aren’t enough”

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:00:00 +0000

“Equality is giving everyone a shoe; equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.” ~ Dr. Naheed Dosani, advocate for equitable healthcare

Today is International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women, raising awareness against bias, and taking action in support of equity. This year’s IWD theme “Embrace Equity” is especially important as it calls attention to why, in order to advance women, we need both equality and equity.

Equinix is proud to support IWD 2023. As the executive sponsor of our Equinix Women’s Leadership Network (EWLN) and an ally who pushes for the empowerment of women, we want to inspire a conversation about how everyone can collaborate to achieve equity in and out of the workplace.

Equality vs. Equity

Equality strives to give everyone the same opportunity; equity recognizes differences that prevent equal outcomes with the same opportunity. While equality and equity get used interchangeably, they are inherently different concepts.

Equality assumes we are all starting from the same place with the same shared experiences, background and privilege and that by providing access and support equally, everyone will have equal opportunity for success. Equity accounts for the fact that not everyone starts from the same place with the same privilege of access and support, which can create significant disadvantages, making it more difficult to achieve the same goals. This difference is subtle, is often misunderstood and stands in the way of providing real access to opportunity. Equity removes the barriers that get in the way of people’s ability to thrive.

Everyone starts from a different place, so how do we learn how to spot inequity? How do we raise awareness? How can we help forge positive change?

Allies are necessary to drive equity

Here’s how The Great Place to Work organization describes allyship: “Allyship in the workplace means using your personal privilege to support colleagues from historically marginalized communities. Allies wield their influence to amplify the voices and elevate the employee experience of their underrepresented coworkers.”[1]

Women are a truly diverse group and not all policies and practices benefit all women equally. Women of color, LGBTQ+, disabled and economically challenged are often disadvantaged which is why women must provide allyship to each other, but women cannot achieve equity alone—we need male colleagues to join this effort as allies who collaborate, promote and fight for equity in the workplace. Getting this buy-in is crucial to systemic improvements to workplace policies, practices, and culture.

While many of our male colleagues already believe in gender equality, they may not be sure how to turn gender equality into gender equity. If you’re looking to evolve as an ally and want to take steps to learn how to build equity in support of your woman co-workers, we recommend a few steps to get you started:

Be curious, don’t assume and educate yourself – First, read, listen, watch and deepen your understanding. When you do speak with someone to understand their challenges, be fully present and suspend assumptions, ask for permission to discuss, and don’t assume everyone shares the same experience. Listen and pay attention to the specific ways they want to be supported.

Own your privilege – Has someone ever questioned your ability to “juggle” raising children while excelling at work? Do you adjust your speech, appearance or behavior to fit into a particular culture because you are the only one like you in the culture? Recognize the advantages, opportunities and resources accorded to you as an ally. By doing so, you can understand how privilege is a resource to deploy for good. Don’t sit back and wait for others; own taking action yourself.

Seek and accept feedback – Seek to understand if you have unconscious bias. Ask others for feedback. Establishing trust with women and anyone from a marginalized group is critical before they will feel safe in the power dynamic to provide “unvarnished” feedback. If you miss this step, you risk creating additional stress and work for the person from whom you are seeking feedback. Show appreciation and that you value their feedback (even when it is painful) and be thoughtful and sincere.

Become a confidant – Research shows that women advance when they have trusted relationships with male partners at work. These relationships provide women with a space to confide in someone they trust about issues like microaggressions encountered in the workplace. Make the time to be available and to empathize and validate the woman’s experience.

Take action – When you witness microaggressions, racist or sexist comments and behavior, be clear and decisive in shutting them down and giving your support in the moment. The key is right in the moment. Explain that you are offended by the comments or actions and that they aren’t acceptable. When you see someone taking up most of the space in a meeting, ask specific questions of women whose contributions and expertise are being overlooked or devalued.

Expect challenges as you venture into this new world of allyship, but like any other learning experience, it will get easier. What’s important is that you continue checking in with yourself and others to ensure you’re not slipping back into biased thinking and get feedback about how you can fine-tune your approach.

Equinix paves the way for allyship in the workplace

The Equinix Women Leaders Network (EWLN), one of many in the Equinix Employee Connection Network (EECN), is open to all employees. EWLN is a network of women and allies pursuing growth, visibility and opportunities to increase business impact, and they’ve been doing so for over ten years. Men are welcome to participate as sponsors, mentors and allies. By meeting together, women and men can learn from each other and understand different perspectives. The EWLN is an excellent opportunity for women and men to network and discover new talent. As gender equity becomes core to the company culture through the active allyship of men, it will be exciting to observe the advancement of even more women into leadership roles.

Our Allies Council, which includes 50 senior leaders, promotes gender and racial equity through various programs designed to empower them to become advocates for diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB). In a six-month reverse mentorship program, the Allies Council partnered with our EECNs to connect leaders with mentors to learn and experience communities with a different perspective.

Equinix is also helping close the gender digital divide worldwide with our continued support of World Pulse. We recently announced the expansion of our long-time commitment with a $100,000 grant from the Equinix Foundation to help accelerate digital inclusion for women and girls globally.

To learn more about how you can become part of this inclusive and empowering culture, we invite you to explore opportunities to join the Equinix team—worldwide.

You may also be interested to learn more about our Equinix Employee Connection Network.

This article is first published on our Interconnection Blog.

Having a mentor is the best thing that happened to me in my sales career

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 02:33:52 +0000

Did you know you don’t need a formal mentorship program to get a mentor? Christine Münch, Business Development Manager—Interconnection and Peering for EMEA at Equinix, gave us a closer look at her mentorship journey and her relationship with her mentor, Sabine Schaar, Regional Vice President, Sales Germany, Field Sales.

Why find a mentorship?

The mentorship journey is an essential ingredient to success in any field. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don’t know what mentorship is and how to find it. They think it only applies to athletes or people in positions of power. The truth is anyone can benefit from mentorship.

Realizing the benefits of mentorship, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and reached out to my mentor, Sabine, who has a vast experience in the industry and is passionate about helping women in tech.

Do you have any tips on finding the right mentor?

A mentor is someone who can offer valuable guidance, wisdom and support as you work to achieve your goals. Finding a mentor who is a good match for you is crucial, as a successful mentor relationship balances trust, respect and communication. You must be willing to be vulnerable and share your thoughts and feelings with your mentor.

How has having a mentor or sponsor enriched your own work experience?

With Sabine as my mentor, I’m often inspired by how she approaches different topics at work. This has helped to broaden my horizons inside and outside the company. What struck me was her communication skills and experience in the industry. She has her own ways of approaching matters. For instance, Sabine is passionate about helping other women in tech. However, she focuses on more than just networking with women, as it’s also essential to galvanize the men in the team to drive the agenda forward.

Any advice to mentees on how they can make the best out of a mentorship program?

Mentorship is not a one-time event—it is an ongoing journey that will require dedication and hard work. Be respectful of your mentor’s time and be sure to have a plan in mind when you approach your mentor. Be proactive and set time aside for yourself to reflect on questions like “Where do I want to go next?” “What do I want to achieve?” and “What is my goal?” Conduct a thorough self-analysis on “Where am I standing right now?” “What can I offer?” and “Which areas I could develop further?”.

Do you feel like your mentorship experience has been reflective of the overall culture at Equinix?

One of the Magic of Equinix values is “Keep Growing.” We believe that we can drive company growth through our personal growth. Equinix is a place that truly allows us to thrive both professionally and personally. There are plenty of development resources available from LinkedIn Learning. This learning resource covers key topics pertinent to the organization, including a mentorship resources page to help mentors and mentees have a successful mentorship journey. The resources are never lacking, and we’re always empowered to develop our own success.

To learn more about how you can become part of this inclusive and empowering culture, we invite you to explore opportunities to join the Equinix Sales and Customer Success team.

Equinix Enters Malaysia with $40M Data Center Investment

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 19:00:00 +0000

[Press Release] World-class digital infrastructure to accelerate digital economy transformation in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region

Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world's digital infrastructure company™, today announced its market entry into MALAYSIA with plans to build a new International Business ExchangeTM (IBX®) data center located in JOHOR, called JH1. With an initial investment of approximately $40 million, JH1 is scheduled to begin operations in Q1 2024, providing 500 cabinets and 1,960 square meters of colocation space. The world-class IBX data center will support Malaysian companies and multinationals doing business in MALAYSIA with access to Platform Equinix® to bring together and interconnect the foundational digital infrastructure that powers their success.

Malaysia's digital economy is forecast to reach $34 billion in Gross Merchandise Value by 2025,1 with the country on course to achieve a digital economy contribution to Gross Domestic Product of at least 25.5% the same year.2 Equinix's expansion in Malaysia will unlock opportunities for Malaysian businesses expanding internationally and for multinational corporations pursuing growth and innovation in the Malaysian market. Malaysian companies will benefit from the ability to accelerate their evolution from traditional to digital businesses by rapidly scaling their infrastructure, easily adopting hybrid multicloud architectures and interconnecting with strategic business partners within the Platform Equinix ecosystem of more than 10,000 customers.

Rendering of Equinix JH1 International Business Exchange (IBX) in Johor, Malaysia

Equinix's expansion in Malaysia is in line with the MyDIGITAL initiative launched by the Malaysian Government, which aims to provide a blueprint for the country to accelerate growth of digital products and services. Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Chief Minister of Johor, said: "While the digital economy represents a catalyst for the Malaysian economy, data centers are integral in supporting digital ecosystems and their sustained growth. We welcome this investment by Equinix, along with the global expertise they bring to Johor, as well as the rich digital experiences and outcomes that will benefit this state and the country. We are looking forward to working together, in transforming Malaysia into a digitally driven, high-income nation at the forefront of this region's digital economy."

This expansion marks Equinix's second foray into ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) following the recently announced plans to expand into Indonesia, allowing the company to address digital infrastructure demand critical to the region's digital growth. Jeremy Deutsch, President, Asia-Pacific, Equinix, commented: "Establishing a presence in Johor strengthens Equinix's leadership position in Asia-Pacific within a strategic market such as Malaysia, one of the most requested markets in Asia-Pacific by our global customers. I would like to express our gratitude to the Digital Investment Office (DIO), Invest Johor, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for their assistance and support. We look forward to deepening our collaboration through future expansion, maximizing local businesses' digital growth potential with rich digital experiences and outcomes."

Highlights / Key Facts

JH1, a two-story facility, will be located at Nusajaya Tech Park (NTP) in Iskandar, Johor. It is 15 kilometers from Singapore, allowing the data center to address excess demand from organizations in the city-state in addition to Malaysian domestic demand.
Equinix also has the option of acquiring additional land in NTP to build a second facility, supporting Malaysia's digital growth aspirations. Companies and multinationals doing business in Malaysia will be able to access Platform Equinix to store and distribute large volumes of latency-sensitive data and applications closer to end users and local markets.
Today, Malaysia is one of the top three colocation markets in ASEAN, with momentum driven by growing demand and investment from hyperscalers and cloud service providers, as well as national policies favorable for digital growth. According to Synergy Research, the Malaysia data center market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 10% during 2021–2026.3 This shows the need for increased digital services and data center services capacity in Malaysia.
As indicated in the Global Interconnection Index (GXI) 2023, organizations are connecting to three times as many business ecosystem partners and metros, consuming more than twice the amount of interconnection bandwidth on average in the past five quarters than in the previous five years. Organizations need access to ecosystems comprising network companies, cloud and system integrator companies, and enterprise customers who can take advantage of a full platform service across a global footprint. The Johor data center will provide organizations with access to vibrant ecosystems made up of more than 2,100 networks and over 3,000 cloud, IT and system integrator services that Equinix works with globally.
When opened, the new IBX data center in Johor will increase Equinix's total global footprint of more than 245 data centers across 71 metros and 32 countries, providing Equinix's 10,000+ customers more ways to securely deploy, directly connect and effectively scale their digital infrastructure in a rapidly growing economy. It is expected to also present opportunities for further expansion into new metros and market segments in Malaysia.
In Asia-Pacific, Equinix currently has 51 data centers across 13 metros across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore. In addition, Equinix also announced expansions into Chennai in India, and Jakarta in Indonesia in 2022, strengthening its market leadership in the region.

This article was first published on Equinix Newsroom.

Southeast Asian Markets are Emerging as a Powerhouse for Digital Growth

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Equinix Extends Its Digital Infrastructure Platform Through Indonesia and Malaysia Expansions

No one denies that Southeast Asia (SEA) is one of the most economically developed regions in the world. The region’s digital economy approached US$200 billion in gross merchandize value (GMV).

E-commerce has been a massive driver of growth in SEA with adoption skyrocketing across the region, up to 98% for affluent users and 74% for suburban consumers. For the first time this year digital financial services have begun to overtake e-commerce as SEA’s top investment sector with payments retaining the biggest slice of deal activity.[1] Invigorated by a highly favorable growth environment, the industry has made significant inroads into SEA over the years. All sub-sectors are experiencing growth because of persistent offline to online behavior shifts. Digital banks are new entrants leveraging existing merchant and consumer networks to reach unbanked, underbanked populations and young digital natives. Progressive governance has allowed digital financial services (DFS) enterprises like Grab in Singapore, Tokopedia and GoTo in Indonesia to thrive in digital finance spaces. Commercial banks, recognizing the growth potential of digital banking, have launched their own e-wallets or in some cases partnered with DFS enterprises to fast-track their own digitalization, catalyzing financial inclusion.

Another key driver of growth for digital services and demand for supporting data infrastructure is the uptake of digitization among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These enterprises are the bedrock of SEA, contributing up to roughly 40% of regional gross domestic product (GDP) and employing up to 67% of the working population.[1] Going digital addresses multiple SME pain points at once such as high operating costs of manual bookkeeping and cash transactions, inaccessible finance due to unreliable financial data, and the inability to scale and reach customers due to being offline.

Our findings in the Global Interconnection Index (GXI) 2023 indicate that organizations are connecting up to three times as many business ecosystem partners and metros, consuming more than twice the amount of interconnection bandwidth on average in the past five quarters than in the previous five years. Rapid deployment presents an opportunity for Equinix to support businesses in the emerging region, enabling them to store and distribute large volumes of latency-sensitive data and applications closer to end users and local markets while enriching global interconnectivity through our digital ecosystem.

Southeast Asia Expansions Positioned to Meet the Growing Demand for Digital Services

Equinix’s presence in SEA allows us to provide digital infrastructure that enables local businesses to tap into growth opportunities abroad, accelerating their digital footprint growth via Platform Equinix® and develop the connectivity reach of global organizations wishing to access the burgeoning SEA digital economy. In two months, we proactively established a presence in two new SEA markets—Indonesia and Malaysia, strengthening our Asia-Pacific footprint across metros in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore.

Indonesia

The Indonesian data center market was worth USD 1.67 billion in 2022, and is predicted to reach USD 3.43 billion by 2027, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 13.15% from 2022 to 2027. One of the critical sources of growth in the region is its rising internet economy.[2] It is estimated that by 2025, this growth will reach USD146 billion or 40% of the digital economy in SEA will be dominated by Indonesia. The country is forecast to become the second largest public cloud market in Southeast Asia, at about 22% YoY GMV growth, Indonesia’s digital economy hits around USD 77 billion in 2022 and is on course to reach about USD 130 billion by 2025, driven primarily by e-commerce.[3]

The USD 74 million International Business ExchangeTM (IBX®) data center in Jakarta, JK1, will provide more than 1,600 cabinets and more than 5,300 square meters of colocation space when fully built. The new facility will expand Equinix’s global network of linked data centers by adding a strategically significant, high-growth market. Equinix’s entry into Jakarta is aligned with the Indonesian government’s digital transformation initiatives, boosting the country’s digital infrastructure objectives according to goals set out in the Indonesia Digital Roadmap 2021–2024.

Malaysia

Malaysia is an emerging data center market with a mix of domestic and global players building data centers there. According to Synergy Research, the Malaysia data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 10% during 2021–2026.[4] Malaysia is on course to achieve a digital economy contribution to GDP of at least 25.5% by 2025.[5] Organizations in Malaysia need access to ecosystems comprised of network, cloud and system integration companies and enterprise customers that are taking advantage of a comprehensive platform service with a global footprint.

The USD 40 million-dollar investment into the Johor JH1 IBX data center will further support the Malaysian government’s aspirations for digital transformation and businesses’ digital transformation. Expected to officially open in Q1 2024, the two-story facility will provide 500 cabinets and colocation space of 1,960 square meters. Located in Nusajaya Tech Park (NTP) in Iskandar, Johor, just 15 kilometers from Singapore’s Tuas Checkpoint, JH1 is expected to have the ability to address demand from organizations in Singapore in addition to Malaysian domestic demand.

Enriching the Digital Portfolio of Asia-Pacific to Capture Rising Opportunities

The IBX data centers in Indonesia and Malaysia will expand Equinix’s global network of interconnected data centers. These expansions will allow us to help our global customers expand into SEA, while also helping local companies across the enterprise, service provider, cloud and content spaces go global and accelerate their digital transformation journeys via Platform Equinix®. The expansion into Indonesia and Malaysia is the first steps of our overall SEA expansion strategy. We will continue to look for the right opportunity to grow and will be adding new data centers to our pipeline for both regions in the coming future.

Currently, Equinix has more than 245 data centers across 71 metros and 32 countries. Along with our established ecosystems and a reliable interconnection solutions portfolio, the expanded Platform Equinix will provide significant opportunities for enterprises situated in SEA to continue their digital transformation and move their IT infrastructure, applications and services closer to the digital edge in proximity to customers and partners.

This article was first published on Equinix Interconnection Blog.

[1] https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/e_conomy_sea_2022_report.pdf

[2] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/indonesia-data-center-market

[3] https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/indonesia_e_conomy_sea_2022_report.pdf

[4] Synergy Research Group, Colocation Forecast, Mar, 2022

[5] https://www.mida.gov.my/mida-news/digital-economy-able-to-contribute-25-5pc-towards-malaysias-gdp-by-2025/

The Backdrop of Equinix’s Data Centers in Asia-Pacific

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Acting as a digital enabler for businesses to thrive in today’s digital economy

As industries around the world embark on their respective digital transformation journeys, governments and organizations across Asia-Pacific are increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure to connect them to the global digital economy. The data center market in Asia-Pacific in particular is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1% during the period of 2022 to 2027 fuelled by deep internet penetration, public cloud services and higher predicted Internet of Things (IoT) growth.[1] Throughout the year 2022, Equinix has been responding to the growing demand for data facilitation across the region by developing data infrastructure at speed with the introduction of new data centers in both established and emerging markets.

In Asia-Pacific, Equinix currently has 51 data centers in 13 key metros across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore. Let’s have a look at some upcoming data centers in the region announced in 2022.

Equinix JH1 IBX data center in Johor, Malaysia (rendering image)

Equinix JK1 IBX data center in Jakarta, Indonesia (rendering image)

Equinix MB3 data center in Mumbai, India (rendering image)

Equinix TY15 IBX data center in Tokyo, Japan (rendering image)

Equinix SL2x xScale data center in Seoul, Korea (rendering image)

This article was first published on Equinix Interconnection Blog.

Equinix to Expand Digital Infrastructure Platform in Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 19:00:00 +0000

[Press Release]

An additional investment of more than $100 million to help businesses capitalize on the country's digital transformation and economic growth.

As Malaysia continues to grow as a strategic regional hub for digital interconnection between businesses, Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world's digital infrastructure company®, plans to open its first data center in Kuala Lumpur in Q1 2024, following its expansion announcement last year to enter Malaysia with a data center in Johor. Spurred by strong cloud growth and e-commerce adoption, as well as its continued investment in 5G, Malaysia is one of the fastest growing data center markets in the ASEAN region, with much of the development attributed to Johor and Kuala Lumpur.1 Equinix's expansion is expected to provide greater digital infrastructure capacity in Malaysia to address rising demand from local and global companies expanding in the country.

Global Reach of Platform Equinix with expansion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

As Malaysia enters Phase 2 of its MyDIGITAL blueprint for a digital economy, demand for digital infrastructure is expected to remain robust. According to Synergy Research, Malaysia is already the third largest data center colocation market in the ASEAN region, and is forecast to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 11% from 2022–2027.2 With extensive global experience in supporting 5G development, Equinix's new facility aims to accelerate the digital vision laid out in the government's MyDIGITAL blueprint to establish Malaysia as a hub for colocation in ASEAN and a regional digital economic powerhouse. The new facility in Kuala Lumpur, named KL1, together with the recently announced JH1 in Johor, will also provide digital infrastructure that businesses need to capitalize on the country's digital economy.

Jeremy Deutsch, President, Asia-Pacific, Equinix, said, "Over the past several years, we have witnessed Malaysia emerge as an increasingly strategic location for global digital infrastructure, and we believe it to be an attractive destination for data center growth and investment. Following our initial investment in Johor, we are excited to add another data center in Kuala Lumpur. By expanding Platform Equinix® in the two most strategic metros in Malaysia, we will enable Malaysian businesses, as well as multinationals with a presence in Malaysia, to leverage a trusted platform to bring together and interconnect the foundational infrastructure to power their success. We believe the two data centers will fuel Equinix's existing data center momentum and support Malaysia's aspirations as a digitally driven connectivity hub."

Highlights / Key Facts

The KL1 IBX® data center will be located in Cyberjaya within Kuala Lumpur. Cyberjaya is a key part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia, a government-designated zone to promote and boost Malaysia's digital economy. Scheduled to open in Q1 2024, the first phase of KL1 will provide an initial capacity of 450 cabinets and colocation space of 1,300 square meters. When fully built, it will provide a total of 900 cabinets and colocation space of 2,630 square meters.
KL1 will enable global networks, content providers and enterprises to exchange high volumes of internet traffic via Equinix Internet Exchange®. Through one of the world's largest global peering solutions at scale, internet service providers will have access to new digital corridors to exchange data directly with other internet service providers, participating in the flourishing digital economy and e-commerce landscape in ASEAN.
Malaysia has positioned itself as an attractive digital infrastructure and cloud services hub, providing additional capacity to meet neighboring Singapore's demand for digital infrastructure.3 With a strong leadership position in multicloud connectivity, KL1 and Equinix Fabric® will enable customers to deploy their infrastructure to connect with the world's leading cloud service providers, including Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, safeguarding their business-critical data in a private and secure environment.
In Asia-Pacific, Equinix currently operates 51 data centers in 13 metros across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore, with expansions announced in Indonesia and Malaysia.

This press release was first published on Equinix Newsroom.

Are You in Sales? Here’s How My Company Empowered Our Sales Team to Become Trusted Advisors

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 20:00:00 +0000

At Equinix, we do sales differently. Our sales reps and account managers are empowered to transform how they conduct business by shifting gears to become trusted advisors to our customers. By doing so, we can excel and build long-term partnerships with our customers. With a trusted advisor role, revenues, customer loyalty, and customer satisfaction will increase. Who doesn’t want this?

Further, this shift to a trusted advisor role is imperative in today’s fast and ever-changing digital economy. Customers today can obtain product information and have access to information without ever talking to a salesperson. So, in today’s world, customers expect salespeople to act as trusted advisors. Customers are anticipating that a salesperson has done their research and can provide useful value and knowledge.

But what does being a trusted advisor really mean? Well, by being a trusted advisor, you have the ability to diagnose a client's business problems and challenges, and then make the right recommendations to improve their situation. A trusted advisor does not push a product; they focus on the customer’s ROI and TCO and make decisions about what’s best for the customer. A trusted advisor can be viewed as a subject matter expert. They stay updated on the latest industry, company, and competitor news.

Once you adopt a trusted advisor role around the customer, you can tailor your sales approach to address their specific requirements, needs, challenges, and pain points, as well as provide personalized solutions to your customers. This will definitely build trust and show that you genuinely care about meeting their needs — which will help strengthen your relationship and customer loyalty.

How to grow your Sales career by becoming a trusted advisor.

As for how you can become a trusted advisor, here are five top skills that you need to develop:

1. Active listening is important, and every sales employee should practice this skill to truly understand your customers' challenges and concerns. Customers should be able to express their thoughts, and then we should actively engage them in a meaningful conversation. By listening attentively, you demonstrate empathy and show the customer that their input, opinions, and needs are valued.

2. Let’s not forget that salespeople also need to stand out from the competition they are facing. Differentiation is a key issue. Salespeople are the most important agents when it comes to setting their companies apart from the competition.
Salespeople should also keep their prospects and customers engaged. If you want to get the most out of your efforts, you need to know how to keep your prospects intrigued and enthusiastic throughout the entire process.

3. Salespeople should also keep their prospects and customers engaged. If you want to get the most out of your efforts, you need to know how to keep your prospects intrigued and enthusiastic throughout the entire process.

4. To be a trusted advisor, you’ll also have to develop your ability to think innovatively. Customers and prospects look for trusted advisors who understand their challenges and pain points, and who can offer solutions to overcome these challenges. Salespeople should not be afraid to offer new ways to handle “old” problems. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo, be different, and be innovative.

5. Get to know and develop empathy with your customers. Before approaching a customer or prospect, take the time to find out more about their company, their products, and their challenges. You should ask yourself questions, including: Who are their target customers? Who are their competitors? What are their challenges? Once you have done your background research, tailor a message that aligns with the answers you found.

As for empathy, in the context of customer relationships, empathy allows you to put yourself in your customer's shoes and see things from their perspective. By doing so, you can create a deeper connection with your customer, build trust, and foster a sense of understanding and rapport. One of the primary objectives of sales is to establish relationships with customers that will lead to successful transactions. Building trust is a crucial part of this process as it creates a foundation for future interactions. However, creating stronger relationships goes beyond simply establishing trust. Empathy is a key component in developing deeper connections with customers.

This article was first published on Fairygodboss.

Want to take the next step in your Sales career? Come check out open opportunities on our Equinix sales team here.

Equinix for Everyone: Veterans in the Data Center Industry

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:00:00 +0000

Hello, my name is Stephanie Escobedo, and I am a Senior Data Center Engineer at Equinix, the World’s Digital Infrastructure company. I am also a Veteran and served in the United States Navy.

I was born in Mexico and my family relocated to Kenosha, Wisconsin where I spent most of my childhood. From as early as I can remember, I have always had a desire to join the military. In 2018, I completed my education and immediately enlisted. Military boot camp and my ensuing advanced training was transformative. It also proved to be very isolating and challenging as a queer, Hispanic woman surrounded by few and often no other peers who were like me. I eventually decided to join the Navy as my branch of choice and became an electrical gas turbine engineer—yet another fulfilling path that proved to be simultaneously isolating as someone with such a diverse background.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy due to injury, I found myself feeling completely lost and directionless. This is the dark side of civilian life that not many talk about, but it takes a major toll on your mental health. Everyone thanks you for your service, yet no employers are willing to hire you due to your “niche skillset” and “resume gaps”. I decided that my best path would be to utilize my military experience to transition into the engineering world. This is often the only way forward for those in my situation since pivoting to areas like sales, finance, marketing, etc. require further initiative and often an MBA to facilitate the transition. One day as I browsed roles on LinkedIn, I came across an opportunity at Equinix to work in a technical capacity within data centers. Not only did this align with my goals and experience, but it also was earmarked and advertised for veterans.

After interviewing, I was eventually selected for the role and joined Equinix. During my time at Equinix I have not only gained knowledge of how data centers work and how the people at the backend keep them working but have also produced valuable results and maintained the status of top performer. My experience in the military has provided me with the capabilities to quickly get up to speed via on-the-job training, providing dedicated support, and effectively communicating and collaborating with my peers. In fact, I have learned that this is very standard across the Veteran population. Veterans remain with their initial company 8.3% longer than typical employees, are 39% more likely to be promoted earlier, and are 160% more likely than nonveterans to have a graduate degree or higher.

That said, working in the data center industry has proven to follow suit with my past experiences of being rewarding, yet challenging as a woman. Uptime Institute reports that women account for only 5% of data center staff globally across the entire industry. Estimates also predict that in the next 3 years, a startling 30% of the industry’s staff will retire (DCD). While there is still a long way to go in increasing representation for those like me in this space, I am proud to work at a company like Equinix that is actively breaking barriers in the hiring process to combat these statistics. With this continued dedication to hire women, veterans, black, Hispanic, disabled, and more talent—we will surely see this industry continue to transform.

While at Equinix, I was not only recruited, but have also been supported throughout my journey. Equinix has various employee resource groups (internally called EECN’s-Equinix Employee Connection Network) that can build community for those of all backgrounds. A few of these that provide me with pride due to my identities are our EECN’s supporting women, young professionals, Hispanics, the LGBTQIA+ community, and finally—veterans. I have had so many impactful mentors that have not only provided me with new skills, but also have helped me network with other leaders, identify new skillsets I can explore, and support me in continuing my education. I am back in school at UW Madison getting an MBA and am utilizing their hybrid program so I can continue my education while still advancing my career at Equinix.

Being in the military has been such a great experience, however it put a halt on my career. I feel I am having to make up for that time that I “lost” --time that was spent serving my country. I do not regret the time I spent serving my country, however I do still see so many existing stigmas and barriers for those who leave the military and transition to corporate. I cannot wait to see the representation of women grow in this industry in the years to come.

A path to success in sales

Tue, 07 May 2024 19:00:00 +0000

In the world of sales, success is often achieved through a combination of hard work, skill development, and a strategic approach to career growth. We had the privilege of speaking with Carol Wang, Sales Director for Equinix Malaysia, to gain insight to her remarkable career journey, aspirations, and valuable advice for individuals seeking to elevate their sales careers. From her initial accomplishments to her seamless transition into a leadership role, Carol's story serves as a true inspiration for those aiming to excel in the dynamic and competitive sales industry.

You have been in sales for over 20 years. What do you love about sales?
Carol: As an introvert, I never imagined myself as a salesperson, but in my inaugural sales role, I discovered a genuine enjoyment in engaging with diverse individuals. Often, these interactions not only brought me joy but also became valuable learning experiences. You must love the job to stay in the job. Many of my customers and partners have also become my friends and mentors. Furthermore, I find adrenaline in driving new opportunities for businesses and managing customer business priorities.

What has enabled you to advance your career in sales?
Carol: It is important to have a career-building mindset—refrain from viewing any role as just a job. Early in my career journey, I diligently crafted my career path, actively seeking opportunities to broaden my knowledge and experience within the tech industry ecosystem. This entailed learning about new technologies, honing customer relationship management skills, and fostering business partnerships. I love the technology industry because technologies advance so rapidly. Embracing this dynamic environment, I eagerly seized opportunities to glean wisdom from peers and managers worldwide, all of whom served as inspirations for my personal growth. Cultivating a network of mentors proved invaluable in navigating my career trajectory, offering helpful guidance on sales leadership, professional development and new avenues for advancement.

Moreover, I established a clear timeline for progressing through different sales positions, ultimately aiming for leadership roles. This strategic approach not only provided direction but also fuelled my drive for continuous improvement and achievement

What are some key attributes required for a successful sales career?
Carol: Resilience, adaptability and a relentless drive for learning and self-improvement are indispensable qualities in the sales industry. Moreover, for individuals transitioning from individual contributor roles to managerial positions, possessing problem-solving skills and a strong collaborative spirit is paramount. Establishing oneself as a trusted and respected leader among team members hinges upon the ability to effectively tackle challenges and foster a culture of teamwork and cooperation.

How do you set your team up for success in achieving sales targets and deepening their professional development?
Carol: I make it a priority to personally connect with each team member, actively engaging with them on the frontline to offer my expertise in problem solving, all aimed at delivering tangible, outcome-based results and driving towards our common goals. I believe that this hands-on approach fosters a positive and productive work environment, emphasizing the importance of model leadership and seamless coordination to meet sales objectives.

Collaboratively, we craft personalized development plans tailored to individual team members, integrating discussions on career aspirations into performance reviews. Through this process, we identify actionable steps to empower them in achieving their professional goals while working towards our shared objectives.

Carol's journey and career aspirations serve as a testament to the possibilities and opportunities available in the sales industry. If you are looking to pave your own path to success in the dynamic world of sales, consider exploring opportunities with Equinix.

Unlocking Opportunities for Sales Excellence and Business Growth

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:00:00 +0000

We sat down with Peng Yuan Lee—Senior Director, of APAC Regional Go-To-Market (GTM) Operations (APAC), Peng Yuan Lee, — as she shares her insights into the world of Equinix’s GTM (Go to Market) Operations team.

Discover how this team drives sales excellence, plans for growth, and leads Equinix's transformation initiatives.

What is the biggest opportunity to be part of on Equinix’s GTM Operations team?

The biggest opportunity for the GTM Operations team is being able to partner with different people cross-functionally daily. We get to be at the center of the organization, bringing many of the strategies and initiatives to life. With exposure and involvement in much of the company’s transformation initiatives, this role involves implementing guidelines to enhance sales processes, utilizing and educating of a standardized sales procedure and CRM tool, and educating stakeholders to ensure a single-source of truth for our organization to rely on for any data-driven decisions. By streamlining daily operations, aligning sales segmentation and orchestrating territory planning, the team contributes to the organization's overall success.

Why is this role so crucial and important to the organization?

We provide critical support to the sales team through last mile execution support. As part of the revenue operations (RevOps) pillars, each function brings unique strengths, making us a strategic partner for Equinix Sales. For Sales Planning and Operations functions, we partner very closely with our sales teams— from planning and, quota setting phase to running the business and accurately forecasting, leveraging on standardized procedures and tools. We play a critical role supporting sales excellence by providing data-driven analysis and proactively looking for areas of improvement.

Equinix is heading for a digital-first approach. How do you see this to be beneficial for its position in the market?

The technology industry is currently undergoing a massive transformation, with businesses seeking opportunities to leverage a robust technology backbone that supports speed, on-demand services, and the ability to convert capital expenditures (CAPEX) into operational expenditures (OPEX). Additionally, companies are looking for flexible models of data center and services setup to support their diverse business use cases.

Equinix is uniquely positioned at the heart of providing these values to customers. With our digital-first approach, we can meet the evolving needs of businesses by offering scalable and agile solutions that enable them to adapt to changing market demands. By leveraging our extensive network of interconnected data centers, Equinix empowers organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure, enhance performance and drive innovation.

Furthermore, our digital approach allows us to provide customers with the flexibility to scale their operations, access a wide range of cloud and network service providers, and leverage advanced technologies such as edge computing and hybrid multicloud architectures. This positions Equinix as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to navigate the digital landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth.

In summary, Equinix's digital approach aligns perfectly with the current market trends and customer demands. By offering the technologicaly backbone and flexible solutions that businesses require, we solidify our position as a leader in the industry and continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers.

What do you look for when recruiting for your team?

When I'm recruiting for my team, there are a few key qualities that I look for in candidates. Firstly, I seek individuals with great attitudes and a genuine passion for the role to which they are applying. Having a positive mindset and enthusiasm for the work they do is crucial in creating a motivated and collaborative team environment.

I also value candidates who can connect the dots. This means they can see the bigger picture and understand how their role fits into the overall objectives and strategies of the team and organization. Being able to think critically, identify patterns and make connections is essential for driving innovation and finding creative solutions to challenges.

Ready to embark on an exciting journey with our Global Revenue Operations Team? Explore open opportunities across the globe and take the next step towards unlocking your potential. Learn more and join us today!

Fostering innovation, partnership and digital growth

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000

In today's interconnected and rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking innovative solutions to create competitive advantage and achieve their objectives and reach new milestones. At the heart of this transformation lies the role of a global solution architect - a visionary who possess the unique ability to bridge the gap between technology and business strategy on a global scale.

Let's dive into the details as Sam Ho, our Senior Manager of Global Technical Sales in the Asia-Pacific region, shares how global solutions architects drive digital transformation, accelerate business growth and foster innovation.

What motivated your decision to join Equinix?

I come from the telecommunications industry with over 20 years of experience. These service providers are well-established and operate on a large scale, which often entails navigating through various processes and procedures. As a result, we need to consistently provide solutions that meet very specific business requirements. The most appealing and fulfilling aspect for me was learning about Equinix's carrer-neutrality and partner-friendly environment. Our focus is not just selling our products, but also prioritizing industry knowledge and best practices, allowing us to be trusted advisors to our customers. We enable our customers to overcome their technological challenges by incorporating solutions built on our platform services.

Could you share with us your journey at Equinix over the past few years?

I have been a part of Equinix team for the past six years, witnessing first-hand out continuous transformation and growth to serve our partners and customers better. During my initial three years as a global solutions architect based in Singapore, I contributed to the evolution of Equinix from being solely a colocation provider to becoming the world's leading infrastructure company.

Throughout this journey, I had the privilege of being involved in significant milestones such as the launch of Equinix Fabric, the development of Network Edge and various new markets expansion throughout the region. These experiences showcased Equinix's forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to empower our customers.

As my career progressed, I was given the opportunity to lead a team of global solutions architects in Singapore. I currently oversee a team of sales engineers and global solution architects across South Asia. I am glad that I can drive Equinix's growth and success while working alongside many other talented professionals.

I am proud to be part of an organization that constantly strives for innovation and excellence, and I am excited to explore what the future holds as we continue striding ahead.

What kind of impact does Equinix has on a global scale? What would you tell someone keen on joining the Global Solution Architect team?

At Equinix, we are essentially the backbone of the internet. Our sustainable global digital infrastructure and collaborative network of over 10,000 digital enterprises help bring the world to your fingertips. We are the world's leading infrastructure company with the largest market share of retail colocation. If you want to be close to where the digital ecosystems of hybrid multicloud and create AI magic, Equinix is where you need to be. Life at Equinix will only get more fascinating from here!

Please tell us about your leadership style.

I lead by example and enjoy ploughing the ground. I like to get involved in the nitty-gritties of customer engagements and technical work. At the same time, I also believe in giving my team members the space to lead, grow and thrive, backed by my wholehearted support at every step of the way.

How does Equinix’s culture contribute to the company’s success?

At Equinix, we believe in an open-door culture and great transparency with our senior leadership team. This approach ensures clarity in our goals and serves as a strong motivator for continuous improvements. We firmly believe in "clarity is kindness" and this principle resonates across all levels of our leadership. We also place great emphasis on our team members' wellbeing, supporting their professional growth with access to technical knowledge and in-depth training in their respective areas of specialization. As a result, they develop key skills and expertise while adding immense value to the organization.

If you want to thrive in an environment that values open communication, transparency and career development, we invite you to explore exciting opportunities at Equinix.

Unleash your potential and be among the changemakers powering the digital economy.

Discover how you can make a meaningful impact with us. Explore our available positions and take the next step in your career journey with Equinix.

Meet our Equinix Indonesia team: Driving digital transformation in the Archipelago

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000

As Equinix continues its expansion in Indonesia, we are excited to introduce some of our leaders who will play a key role in enabling digital transformation in the country.

With their focus on innovation and collaboration, they will build teams that will strategically advance our business across Indonesia. Their expertise and vision will further strengthen our commitment to empowering enterprises in Indonesia to unlock their full potential, grow sustainably and transform dreams into reality.

Boosting Indonesia's digital economy

Haris Izmee, our new Managing Director of Equinix Indonesia, brings with him nearly 25 years of expertise in the technology and cloud space.

Haris shared, "I'm excited to join Equinix in its momentous journey in Indonesia! The dynamic market holds immense potential, and as the leading data center provider, Equinix is uniquely positioned to drive growth and innovation here. I am passionate about leveraging Equinix's robust platform to make a significant impact on Indonesia's digital landscape and contribute to the broader region's advancements.

Equinix's expansion into Jakarta is aligned with the transformation initatives of the Indonesia Digital Roadmap that aims to boost the country's digital instrastructure, accelerating digital transformation and enhancing Indonesia's digital economy.

A digital edge to create unique compeititve advantage

Deon Montasser, Country Sales Director, Equinix Indonesia, has rich experience in the cloud and technology domains, having worked with several leading names in the sector.

Attracted to Equinix's business growth model, Deon commented that "Equinix plays a strategic and important role as the world’s digital infrastructure company, that enables organizations to implement hybrid multi-cloud interoperability with the largest ecosystem of digital partners. With data and AI becoming the source of competitive advantage, Equinix brings a unique edge in helping organizations in their digital business. When I knew about Equinix’s plan to open its first data center in Indonesia, I knew I had to be part of Equinix’s momentum of growth in supporting Indonesia’s digital leaders to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.”

Teamwork makes the dream work

At Equinix, we pride ourselves on delivering world-class data center infrastructure that exceeds industry standards. At the helm of our data center operations in Indonesia, A.S Yudhastiya, affectionately known as Sandy shared, “I was drawn to Equinix’s commitment to innovation, and its mission to drive meaningful change in our industry. As a leader, I believe in fostering a culture that prioritizes collaboration and empowerment, and Equinix embodies these same values.

The opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about pushing boundaries and transforming challenges into opportunities was incredibly appealing.

Being part of a global team that not only values excellence but also prioritizes continuous learning and development has the potential to influence positive change within the organization and the broader community. Being part of Equinix allows me to leverage my skills in a dynamic environment where I can contribute to strategic initiatives, inspire others, and drive growth.

Join our team and be the change

Our entry into Jakarta is nothing short of exhilarating, and we're actively seeking talented individuals to join us on this transformative journey. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, you can explore a multitude of opportunities for skill development, career advancement, and unparalleled success.

If you're ready to be part of something bigger, seize the opportunity today.

Find out more about a career with Equinix Indonesia.

Unleashing my tech sales career at Equinix

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Finding a career path that offers growth, opportunities and a chance to make a global impact is a dream for many. Equinix, being a global leader in digital infrastructure, has been a catalyst for countless success stories, providing a platform for individuals to thrive and excel in their chosen fields.

In this article, Clarence Mohyong, Senior Sales Engineer shared about his career journey as a new to career in the Equinix’s global technical sales team.

What motivated your decision to join Equinix?
As a mechanical engineering student before joining Equinix, I have always been passionate about sustainability and the role that engineers play in reducing our environmental impact through technology. I was drawn to Equinix not only for its strong reputation as a global leader in digital infrastructure, but also for its bold commitment to achieving 100% climate neutrality by 2030. Given the resource-intensive nature of data centers, it’s impressive to see a global provider taking significant steps toward sustainability.

Can you share with us how was your career journey like in Equinix, and the growth opportunities you have been given?
My career journey at Equinix has been incredibly rewarding, filled with valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth. I began as a Presales Associate, where I had the unique opportunity to shadow experts within the Global Technical Sales team. This gave me exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities of both Sales Engineers and Global Solutions Architects, allowing me to learn about technical sales from different perspectives. I was quickly empowered to take ownership of my role, directly supporting the sales team in meaningful ways, such as assisting with solution design and customer engagements.

Equinix strongly emphasizes career development, and I’ve benefited from specialized internal learning programs tailored to my role. These, along with the mentorship from my seniors, have been instrumental in expanding my technical knowledge and enhancing my skill set. The support I’ve received has not only helped me grow in my current role but also opened doors to future opportunities within the company.

What kind of impact does Equinix have on the global scale, and what would you tell someone who is keen to join the GTST team?

Equinix is at the heart of the global digital landscape, providing the infrastructure that enables seamless connectivity between businesses, cloud providers, and networks worldwide. I’ve personally witnessed how the work we do helps companies innovate and transform their operations on a global scale. For example, I’ve been involved in projects that have enabled businesses to expand into new markets and optimize their digital infrastructure to not only reduce costs but also improve sustainability.

For anyone considering joining the GTST team, I would emphasize that it’s a unique opportunity to become a trusted advisor for customers, guiding them through complex technical landscapes and helping them make strategic decisions. As a Senior Sales Engineer, I’ve had the privilege of working with clients across various industries, including Banking and Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Healthcare. Each industry presents its own challenges—whether it’s ensuring compliance for financial institutions or even optimizing workflows for healthcare providers—but the reward comes from delivering solutions that drive tangible business results.

How is the culture of Equinix like and how does it echo within the GTST team?

Equinix has a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking culture, which is one of the key reasons why I enjoy working here. Everyone is always willing to share knowledge and insights, fostering strong collaboration across teams and helps us improve how we work continuously. Within the GTST team, this culture is even more pronounced through our focus on teamwork, innovation, and a shared passion for solving customer challenges. One of the things I appreciate most is how open everyone is to providing guidance and sharing their expertise. This has not only helped me grow in my role but also made our team stronger as a whole.

Anything you would like to share about your experience working at Equinix as your first organization?

While I do not have prior experience for comparison, Equinix has set an incredibly high standard for what a great workplace should be. One of the things that has really stood out to me is the company’s commitment to both business success and personal growth. From the start, I’ve been equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to the business’s success. I’m also continuously encouraged to upskill through internal and external courses, which has been invaluable in keeping me up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. What truly makes Equinix stand out is the emphasis on the importance of every individual’s role. It is not an overstatement when we say "it takes a village to close each deal". Our culture fosters strong relationships and teamwork, reminding us that collaboration is key to our success. This experience has not only shaped my professional journey, showing me the value of innovation and personal development, but has also inspired me to continue growing in the tech space and take on more responsibility as I advance in my career.

If you are also interested in starting a career in sales at Equinix, learn more about our culture, our exciting work and impact that we are making!

Unlocking sales success powered by Equinix's unique culture

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

In the competitive world of technology sales, finding a company that aligns with your value and offers a supportive work environment can be a challenge.

At Equinix, we provide a distinct experience that sets us apart from other tech companies. Our enriching company culture, emphasizing collaboration and innovation, makes us a preferred choice of sales account executives looking to thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.

We had an interesting conversation with Michael Roberts—a sales account executive with 15 years of tech industry experience—where he shared what compelled him to join Equinix.

Empowered to succeed.

“What stood out to me was undoubtedly Equinix's culture,” commented Michael. He had heard great things about our culture of collaboration, innovation and community building from his brother-in-law, who has worked with Equinix for seven years.

Speaking about his own experience, Mike added, “Equinix fosters an environment where sales professionals have access to senior executives and are encouraged to provide feedback and contribute new ideas. This openness to employees’ input is unique and empowers account executives to make a real impact on the company's direction.”

Michael’s previous tenure was with a leading SaaS company that has highly competitive sales teams with limited regional cross-collaboration. But at Equinix, it is all about teamwork. We strive to create a conducive environment where individuals can thrive, do their best work, and feel proud of the difference they make. Open communication that builds trust, understanding and accountability is central to our culture.

“I have access to everyone, from executives to colleagues who are willing to listen, share knowledge, and collaborate globally. Success is not overwhelmed by excessive grind at Equinix. While hard work and dedication are valued, the company also emphasizes a balanced and fulfilling work experience”, added Michael.

Creating real-world impact

Michael continued, “Equinix’s impact on the industry is another aspect that strongly appealed to me. For example, Equinix works closely with leading automotive companies to expand their network, leveraging its extensive points of presence (PoP) to support their growth. This level of impact and the opportunities to work with industry leaders make Equinix an exciting place to work for.”

As the world’s digital infrastructure company with a network of 260+ high-performance data centers, we interconnect industry-leading organizations in finance, manufacturing, retail, transportation, government, healthcare, education, and many more across a digital first world.

Transforming strategy into action

We prioritize constant optimization of our processes to deliver exceptional user experience and foster a customer-centric approach. Be it selling, tailoring our offerings, or building strategic and collaborative associations, our customer forms the focus of all our strategies and actions. Our long-standing customer relationships exemplify our commitment to customer success.

“We aim to be strategic advisors to our customers, aligning their business goals with our strong portfolio of products and solutions. This shifts from a transactional to a more strategic approach, allowing us sellers to make a greater impact on our client’s success.” said Michael. Michael credits our unique company culture, impactful industry presence, and commitment to customer success as the top reasons that make Equinix stand out as one of the best tech companies for him to work in.

If you are a sales account executive who wants to join a company that values your input, provides ample growth opportunities, and fosters a supportive work-life balance, Equinix is the place to be. Join us to experience The Magic of Equinix and achieve new milestones. Come learn more about our career opportunities here.

Back and Thriving: Operations

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:00:00 +0000

At Equinix, culture isn’t a buzzword–it’s a backbone. “Unlike other global companies I have worked for in the past, I didn't notice any race between employees or unhealthy competition. It was always about helping each other and collaborating together to achieve the goal," reflects Przemysław Zera, our Operations Compliance Manager.

The spirit of collaboration defines the Equinix experience. Far more than a workplace, it’s a global community where support, growth, and well-being are deeply embedded in the day-to-day. In an era where company culture can often feel performative, Equinix offers something rare: an environment where people genuinely want to return – and many do. Former employees come back, not just for the work, but for the culture that shaped them.

A Culture of Support and Collaboration

Creating a culture where people feel seen, heard, and valued isn’t easy–but it’s essential. At Equinix, these values aren’t aspirational; they’re operational.

Chris Isernia, a Data Center Technician, captures this well:

"At Equinix, there are many factors that contribute towards an inclusive work environment e.g. diversity, communication, training & development, recognition, and appreciation."

By weaving, inclusivity and mutual respect into the fabric of everyday work, Equinix cultivates a space where teams rally together to reach shared goals. It’s a culture that values contribution over hierarchy and impact over ego.

Growth and Innovation from the Inside Out

For Thomas Morrison, the journey at Equinix has been on of continuous reinvention. Starting as a Warehouse Specialist and now serving as a Logistics Manager, he’s seen firsthand how Equinix invests in internal mobility and innovation.

"What I missed the most during my time away from Equinix was the willingness to adapt and evolve. Also, the collaboration between teams and employees."

His story mirrors, countless others across the company–employees supported by leaders who see potential, not just performance. Equinix’s culture of innovation isn’t confined to products or platforms; it starts with its people.

Prioritizing Wellbeing in a Demanding World

In an industry that often prioritizes output over well-being, Equinix chooses a different path – one where employees are encouraged to thrive, not just survive.

Poh Lee Cheong, Data Center Customer Operations Assistant Manager, has felt this firsthand after returning to Equinix:

"The teamwork and camaraderie from my previous tenure encouraged me to return to Equinix."

Whether it’s leading the Data Center Visit Experience or managing critical budget cycles, Poh sees how Equinix intentionally build supportive environments. This focus on well-being is more than policy–it’s practice. Employees are encouraged to bring their full cells to work, knowing they’ll be met with trust, respect, and care.

Community, Sustainability, and Purpose

Alex Wong, Data Center Lead Customer Operations Engineer, speaks to another defining feature of Equinix: its commitment to service–both to customers and the broader world.

"Equinix serves Employees just like they serve customers, always put at the center and taking 360-degree care."

From volunteering through the WeAreEquinix program to supporting local sustainability efforts like installing beehives data centers, employees are empowered to make a difference. The company’s approach to environmental and social responsibility, reinforces a belief that doing good and doing business are not mutually exclusive.

By fostering a culture that emphasizes diversity, communication, and recognition, Equinix empowers its workforce to excel and innovate. The company's dedication to nurturing talent and promoting holistic wellbeing ensures that employees are not only productive but also fulfilled.

Here, people don’t just grow careers. They grow community. They build futures. And they do it together.

Explore and discover how you can thrive with us. Visit our careers page today.

Back and Thriving: Sern Ong

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 03:19:27 +0000

In the fast-paced world of tech sales, career moves are common. But for some, the journey circles back to where it all began. That’s exactly what happened for Sern Ong, Senior Account Executive, Country Sales, who returned to Equinix—and hasn’t looked back since.

A career built on relationships and growth

Currently a senior account executive on Equinix Singapore’s Field Enterprise Sales team, Sern has been in this role for nearly three years. But his connection and career with our organization began much earlier.

“I spent close to five years on our Channel team, managing relationships with some of our key global system integrator (GSI) partners,” he shares. “That experience gave me a deep understanding of how we collaborate with the broader ecosystem to deliver value to our customers.”

This is his second stint at Equinix, and both roles have offered him a unique lens into different facets of the business—from partner development to direct enterprise sales.

A culture that wins

Like many professionals, Sern explored opportunities outside the company. But something important was missing, and he found himself searching for more.

“What truly sets Equinix apart for me is the people, our distinctive culture—something I didn’t find elsewhere,” he reflects. “When my former leaders reached out and offered me the opportunity to return in an enterprise sales role, I didn’t think twice. The sense of belonging and the collaborative environment here made the decision to come back an easy one.”

Shortening the path to growth and possibilities

One of the key drivers of Sern’s professional advancement has been the unwavering support from leadership.

“Even though I started out as a partner development manager, my leaders supported my return and transition into an enterprise sales role,” he explains. “Their trust and willingness to invest in my development have played a significant role in advancing my career here.”

This kind of support isn’t just a one-off—it’s embedded in our culture. We empower our people to explore new paths, take on challenges and continue striding ahead, backed by their strengths and aspirations.

Making an impact in a constantly evolving sales landscape

What excites Sern the most about being part of our sales team? Gaining new perspectives by working with a diverse range of customers across industries like banking, retail, healthcare and many more.

“It’s inspiring to see firsthand how Equinix plays a vital role in enabling and safeguarding customers’ digital infrastructure,” he says. “We’re not just selling a product—we’re supporting essential services that people rely on every day.”

Advice for newcomers: Embrace the challenge

For those looking to be a part of our sales team, Sern shares some insights and guidance:

“Be open-minded and approach challenges with a positive, can-do attitude. Success in the sales team comes from strong collaboration—not just within our internal teams like Global Technical Sales and Customer Success, but also by building solid relationships with our channel partners externally.”

A future fueled by innovation

When you join the world’s digital infrastructure company®, you can truly be at the forefront of creativity and ingenuity in a hyperconnected, always-on world.

You’ll be supporting customers as they embrace cutting-edge technologies—from artificial intelligence to advanced payment systems. It’s an exciting and dynamic environment to grow in.

At Equinix, careers grow and evolve. And sometimes, the best path forward is returning to where you truly belong. Here, you’re not just part of a company—you’re at the center of everything, at the heart of the action, serving as the strategic connector between teams, ideas and impact. Ready to elevate your career? Explore roles with our sales team.

A career path in solutions architecture and engineering

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what it takes to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and customer solutions? Imagine a role that enables you to leverage your technical expertise while engaging with customers to solve their most pressing challenges. In this article, we will dive into the exciting world of solutions architecture and engineering with Bridget McFarlane, Senior Manager, Global Solutions Architecture & Engineering, on the Equinix Solutions Architecture and Sales Engineering team.

The Importance of Sales Engineering

Bridget started her journey at Equinix as a sales engineering manager in June 2021. Now, she shares insights about her role as a technical seller: “Our primary goal is to develop tailored solutions for our customers, whether they require colocation, interconnection or other digital services.”

Solutions architecture and engineering is not just about technical expertise; it is about understanding customer challenges and crafting solutions that drive business outcomes. “Traditionally, sales engineers focused on designing the physical space (cages, cabinets, power and cooling) for customers inside our data centers. Solutions architects were more focused on strategic solutioning with our digital services,” she explains. “In the integrated approach of our Global Technical Solutions Team (GTST), both roles collaborate to leverage the full scope of Equinix’s expertise for our customers’ success.”

This collaborative approach is essential for Equinix’s business growth. By aligning technical solutions with customer objectives, solutions architects and sales engineers play a critical role in fostering long-term relationships and driving revenue.

Making a Difference

Having spent nearly four years as a leader in GTST, Bridget finds immense satisfaction in her role. “I love Global Technical Sales because we get to meet with customers to learn about their businesses and develop solutions that drive their desired outcomes,” she says. “Seeing the impact of our solutions on our customers and their clients is incredibly rewarding.”

Her journey into Global Technical Sales at Equinix was facilitated by a former colleague who recognized her potential and recommended her for the role. “Networking and mentorship have been key to my career advancement,” she emphasizes. “I’m not shy about expressing my ambitions and seeking guidance from others.”

Bridget has found success by prioritizing her team’s achievements. “My team’s success is my number one priority,” she states. “When my team thrives, I thrive, allowing me to build relationships with mentors and gain visibility across the organization.”

She also highlights the importance of being open about one’s weaknesses and seeking help to address knowledge gaps.

Versatility in Career Paths

Within the GTST organization, professionals can advance as individual contributors or transition into leadership roles. “Some GTST members even move into Sales,” she shares, showcasing the versatility of the career.

Bridget’s journey in technical sales is also marked by a commitment to continuous learning. At Equinix, she has access to extensive training and enablement resources. “Of all the places I’ve worked, Equinix does the best job of providing training and enablement to help you do your job. All sales engineers and solutions architects attend the Sales Onboarding for Accelerated Ramp (SOAR), Equinix’s internal sales onboarding program, and Connect, an annual sales kickoff event. Our enablement team constantly develops content to ensure that we stay updated on our technical and soft skills.”

She adds that, as part of her priority-setting, she will acquire a certification related to her role every year, ensuring that she remains at the forefront of industry trends.

Tips for Aspiring Sales Engineers

For those looking to join the Equinix Solutions Architecture and Sales Engineering team, Bridget offers her top three tips:

Be curious: “Stay informed about our customers, technology trends and corporate strategy. Curiosity drives innovation.”
Be collaborative: “Equinix has a wealth of teams and resources. Embrace collaboration to leverage these assets for success.”
Be accountable: “Sales Engineers often become the go-to experts for all things tech. It’s crucial to define responsibilities and hold others accountable for their contributions.”

A Rewarding Career

Technical sales is a rewarding and impactful career path that requires a blend of technical expertise, customer understanding and collaborative spirit. As highlighted by Bridget, success in this field is not just about individual achievements but also about fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous learning. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge, Equinix offers technical sales and sales engineering roles internationally, helping customers design, connect, and scale their digital infrastructure. Ready to explore the possibilities? Explore roles now.

Powering communities, powering futures: Yan Sau Hean finds growth at Equinix

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:30:51 +0000

At Equinix, we grow together

In Malaysia's thriving digital economy, growth and opportunities are unfolding faster than ever. Sometimes, all it takes is one bold move to transform your career. Yan Sau Hean, Assistant Manager, Data Center Customer Operations, followed his ambition by utilising our Global Talent Mobility "International Transfer" policy. He leveraged his solid foundation at Equinix Singapore into a stepping stone to leadership in Equinix Malaysia.

His journey mirrors Equinix's bold leap into Malaysia, with the launch of two data centers - KL1 in Kuala Lumpur and JH1 in Johor - as part of a long-term vision to support digital transformation in the Southeast Asia region. With KL1's second phase set for completion in under a year, Equinix is doubling down on a strong commitment to Malaysia, empowering local talent and business with high-performance and AI-ready infrastructure, while fostering cross-border career growth through global talent mobility initiatives.

After nine years at SG1 Singapore Data Center, Yan took on a new challenge. Now serving as Assistant Manager at KL1, he leads a dedicated team of seven to ensure friction-free, mission-critical operations for the world's digital giants.

"I want to challenge myself. The move gave me fresh purpose and a chance to grow closer to home," says Yan, whose hometown in Seremban is just an hour away from KL1.

From ground crew to leadership

Starting his career on the operations floor, Yan's path shows what's possible in a nurturing environment like Equinix, where hard work meets opportunity. His hands-on experience with managing customer requests, overseeing large migration and troubleshooting tech infrastructure, he built the skill set needed to take on team leadership, vendor management and strategic advisory expertise in his new role.

In his early tenure with the pioneering team at KL1, Yan played a major role in shaping the internal workflow and culture of his team. Today, he helps drive the team's vision and ensures the data center remains strong, secure and smoothly run, 24/7.

I am blessed to have worked with multiple managers in Singapore, whose diverse leadership styles helped me grow professionally and shaped my approach to management and workforce philosophy.

A future shaped by people like Yan

Yan's journey is more than a personal success. It's a reflection of what's possible at Equinix. His story shows how a strong foundation, a willingness to grow, and the right environment can open doors to leadership and impact. At Equinix, we believe in creating those environments, where people are empowered to take bold steps, just like Yan did. Global Talent Mobility is a key part of that journey. It enables our people to grow across borders, functions, and experiences, building the capabilities we need to lead in a fast-moving digital world. From cloud to AI, we enable seamless data flow that powers the digital economy. But it's our people who make it all happen. Whether you're starting out or stepping up, you'll find opportunities to grow, contribute and lead.

Thinking of making a switch?

We're growing a community of people who are curious, driven, and ready to shape what's next. Yan's story shows that growth doesn't always mean starting over. It can mean building on what you already know, in a place that sees your potential. The data center industry is evolving fast, and so can your career. Whether you're returning home like Yan, stepping into a new role, or exploring a new industry, you'll find support, purpose and opportunity here.

Equinix Malaysia is looking for dedicated people who are ready to roll up their sleeves, boost their skills and play a vital role in a global digital network. Learn more about a career at Equinix and grow with us today.

Fostering growth, cultivating success: Fanny Yu’s path

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:09:40 +0000

Meet Fanny Yu, a senior manager on the Partner Account Management team in Hong Kong. In our latest People Spotlight series, we speak with Fanny and get a glimpse into her role. She shares how our sales leaders encourage career growth, equip our sales teams to thrive, maximise business impact and achieve personal success.

After nearly a decade as a partner account manager at a global network company, Fanny joined Equinix during the COVID-19 pandemic. As she approaches her six-year milestone with us, Fanny not only developed her selling skills but also grown as a leader, manager and team player, contributing to our success.

A seamless transition into a new role.

"Although the products and services were new to me, I was able to transition smoothly into Equinix thanks to the comprehensive Sales Onboarding Accelerated Ramp (SOAR) training for new hires," she says.

SOAR is a comprehensive onboarding program tailored to equip specific selling roles with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate Equinix's value proposition and enhance value for our customers.

Fanny adds that "it wasn't just about learning products and processes; it was about connecting with our executives and understanding the core values that drive our culture." She continues: "Our Chief Sales Officer, Mike Campbell, emphasized that SOAR is not just for onboarding but also a platform for building connections and networks within the company. As part of continuous learning, our Global Sales Enablement team plays a very important role in providing regular and targeted training programs for various sales positions within Equinix."

The SOAR program equips our sellers with relevant knowledge and skills while fostering a sense of belonging. It's a statement of our dedication to professional development, ensuring that every team member is connected and empowered to excel.

Nurturing potential and building accomplishments

Fanny's journey is one of many success stories that exemplify the growth opportunities within Equinix. She has progressed from an individual contributor to a people manager, leading the Channel Sales team in the Hong Kong office. As she shares, "I am proud of building a robust partner ecosystem that fosters channel harmony in Hong Kong." It's an incredible feat to build a strong channel team with our APAC partners, and Fanny has achieved that within three years as a senior manager on the Partner Account Management team, driving growth and partnership across Hong Kong and APAC.

A culture of collaboration and inclusion

On a personal level, I reasonate deeply with Equinix's values of showing care and pursuing exellence, which have guided my growth within the organisation.

At Equinix, we're not just about achieving sales targets. We strive to create a supportive and collaborative environment that equips our sales folks as strategic partners to our customers and channel partners. "Our Partner Sales team is positive, open-minded and dynamic," Fanny says. "This culture of collaboration is essential for building a strong relationships and driving success in the fast-paced world of technology."

Belonging isn't a buzzword at Equinix. It's integral to the company's ethos. Like Fanny emphasizes, "Belonging for all means feeling safe and valued. It's about creating a community where everyone can bring their whole selves to work." This culture empowers individuals to give their best, serve customers effectively and feel valued for their contributions. For Fanny, that means ensuring that her team members understand the importance of their roles and recognize the value they bring to the organization.

What can a partner account executive expect as they join Equinix?

For those considering a role as a partner account executive at Equinix, the opportunities are boundless. New hires can expect to:

Collaborate with colleagues across the globe to explore business opportunities.
Engage with emerging partners and cutting-edge technologies.
Lead solution conversations with customers and partners.
Develop a professional network that spans the globe.
Experience personal growth and continuous development.

Fanny's advice for aspiring Equinix team members is simple yet powerful: "Be bold! Connect with people at all levels and across different teams. Building a strong network is integral to your success."

If you're looking for a sales career that lets you thrive in a dynamic and purposeful work environment, check out open roles on our sales team.

Building a purposeful sales career: How Aga Davis inspires sales success

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

21 years ago, Aga Davis arrived in the UK from a small town in Poland, looking forward to a summer of travel and work experience. But, as she puts it, “The rest is history.” What began as a seasonal adventure turned into a remarkable career journey—one that would take her from teaching fitness classes to leading a high-performing network sales team at Equinix.

A passion for people and progress

Aga’s early career was rooted in fitness instruction and sports. She earned her master’s degree and taught fitness classes while working at the reception of what was once the world’s largest sports club. “I’ve always loved working with people,” she shares. “But I was curious and ambitious. I wanted to try something fresh, learn new things and explore the world of technology.”

That curiosity led her to a sales role within the sports club, where she pitched corporate wellness packages to companies in Canary Wharf. One of her clients, impressed by her ability to rally his entire IT team into the gym, offered her a job in tech sales. “That was my first step into the IT world,” she recalls. “And I haven’t looked back since.”

Climbing the ladder at Equinix

Aga joined Equinix through the Telecity acquisition and began her journey in the UK Field Enterprise team. In 2018, she transitioned to the EMEA Networks team; by 2020, she was promoted to Sales Manager. Today, she serves as Director, Network Sales, leading a team of five talented individuals across EMEA—her “dream team,” as she proudly calls them.

“I’ve always had great people around me who appreciated my work ethic and believed in my growth,” she says. “Stepping into management allowed me to share my experience and grow as a person. I come to work with a big smile on my face.”

Sales with purpose: Supporting the backbone of the business

Aga’s team plays a critical role in supporting network service providers—the very backbone of Equinix’s business. “We adopt a customer-first mindset and consistently deliver results,” she explains. “I’m proud of my team’s dedication and the role we play in driving top-line growth.”

The team’s work not only strengthens customer satisfaction but also reinforces Equinix’s position as a trusted partner in the industry. "It’s about more than just numbers," she adds. "It’s about building relationships, understanding our clients’ needs and being part of something bigger."

A day in the life: Coffee, Charlie and connections

Aga starts her day by spending each morning with her three-year old twin boys, taking a walk with her dog Charlie, and enjoying a strong cup of coffee—nonnegotiable before any conversation. She follows that with a workout or Pilates session before diving into her workday. Evenings are reserved for cooking, unwinding and the occasional Friday drink at the local pub.

What energizes her most at work? “People power,” she says. “I interact with so many amazing individuals every day. I try to be an energy supplier—positive, engaged and always learning.”

Advice for aspiring tech sellers

For those considering a switch to tech sales, Aga’s advice is clear: “Be curious. Always want to learn. Technology is the way forward. Work hard and be ambitious, but stay kind and humble. Hard work always pays off.”

She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in sales: “Be yourself. Be interesting, be interested. And always follow through. If you say you’ll do something, do it.”

No regrets—only growth

Looking back, Aga has no regrets about leaving fitness instruction behind. “Absolutely not,” she says. “I’ve learned so much and met incredible people, and I still get to enjoy fitness as a hobby. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Aga’s story is more than a career pivot. It’s a testament to what’s possible when you lead with purpose and build a team that feels like a dream. At Equinix, we bring you closer to your purpose—no matter the path you take to reach it. If you’re passionate about people, purpose and growth, there’s never been a better time to embark on the journey. Ready to build your own success story? Explore opportunities with our Sales team today.

Stories of growth, belonging, and making an impact

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

What’s it really like to work at Equinix? For many of our team members, it’s a place where careers take shape, people feel supported, and community involvement is part of everyday life. From early career journeys to leadership roles, these stories offer a glimpse into the experiences that define our Slough campus - both inside and outside the data center walls.

We spoke to a few of our team members to hear what makes Slough data centers so special.

A culture of belonging and support

Julie Barlow - Manager, Operations Support - has been with Equinix for nearly 12 years. Starting out as the only female in the control room, she found not just opportunity but inclusion.

“I was always included and provided with the skills and knowledge to perform my job. The support and respect from all, and the sense of belonging, make Equinix stand out.”

Julie’s journey from administrator to manager reflects a culture rooted in Slough, where people are empowered to grow. Her involvement in the Champions Program and the EMEA-wide Reporting and Analytics Community of Practice shows how we foster cross-functional collaboration and confidence.

Teamwork that transcends roles

Gareth Morgan-Lloyd - Supervisor, Customer Operations - has been part of the Slough data center team for 13 years. He values the open, empathetic culture and the trust placed in employees.

“With multiple departments, there have always been opportunities to explore different avenues. Having a manager who trusts you and working from your own merits make a big difference.”

Gareth’s experience during the Telecity acquisition, when he worked with teams across Europe while based in Slough, highlights how the campus connects people across borders and functions.

Growth that goes beyond titles

Zoe Brooks - Senior Manager, Reporting and Analytics - began her Equinix journey in finance and now leads global analytics.

“Equinix encourages you to bring your true self to work. I’ve had opportunities to expand my skill set and pursue areas outside my comfort zone, thanks to a supportive network.”

Her first day at the Slough data center left a lasting impression. “I was impressed by the diverse workforce. For once, I didn’t feel like I was the only one.” That sense of inclusion and opportunity has stayed with her ever since.

Making an impact

The impact of Equinix in Slough goes beyond the data center walls. From charity padel tennis matches to volunteering, the Slough team is deeply engaged in the local community.

That spirit of camaraderie and giving back is echoed in events like the transformation of Salt Hill Park, where volunteers turned a dull skate and parkour area into a vibrant community space. Equinix teams also rolled up their sleeves at the Jubilee Riverside Centre, restoring boats and beautifying the riverside—and at Herschel Park, where the Women in Operations community tackled brambles and cleaned the pond.

These efforts reflect the same values of fostering belonging, teamwork and growth that define Equinix. In Slough, we make a tangible difference in the lives of those around us.

Join the story in Slough

We believe in creating spaces where people can be their best selves, and our Slough data centers are a testament to that belief. Slough is where Julie found belonging and grew into a leadership role, Zoe discovered a diverse and inclusive environment that empowered her to lead global analytics, and Gareth built a career grounded in trust and cross-functional teamwork. These aren’t just stories. They’re examples of what’s possible here.

If you’re looking for a place where your individuality is celebrated, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact, a Slough data center is where your journey can begin. Check open roles here.

Apprenticeships at Equinix

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Opportunity doesn’t just happen—it’s created. Across Europe, young people are stepping into the world of digital infrastructure through apprenticeships that offer more than just training but also transformation.

These experiences go beyond internships. They’re transformative journeys. And the best way to understand their impact is through the voices of those who’ve lived them.

Holly Byrne Nugent from Ireland

Holly’s journey began with a love for the television show “How It’s Made” and the support of a teacher who saw her potential. Now in her third year of an electrical apprenticeship at Ballyfermot Training Centre, she’s using her voice and her platform on TikTok to inspire other young women to follow her path.

“There was nothing calling me to this career until someone believed in me. Now I want to be that person for someone else.”

Holly is a semifinalist in the Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition, chosen from over 2,200 applicants. Her story is about more than just breaking into a male-dominated field—it’s about breaking the mold entirely.

Krzysztof Kamiński from Poland

Gareth Morgan-Lloyd - Supervisor, Customer Operations - has been part of the Slough data center team for 13 years. He values the open, empathetic culture and the trust placed in employees.

“With multiple departments, there have always been opportunities to explore different avenues. Having a manager who trusts you and working from your own merits make a big difference.”

Gareth’s experience during the Telecity acquisition, when he worked with teams across Europe while based in Slough, highlights how the campus connects people across borders and functions.

Kyla Small from the UK

Kyla knew early on that she didn’t want a desk job. With family experience in the data center industry, she was drawn to the practical, fast-paced world of critical infrastructure. When she joined Equinix as a Critical Facilities apprentice, she found an enriching role on a team that believed in her.

“I’ve been involved in real projects from the start. One of my proudest moments was contributing to a reception upgrade project. Seeing all the pieces come together and knowing I played a part—it was incredibly rewarding.”

Kyla’s journey is a testament to what happens when young women are given the tools, trust and mentorship to thrive in technical roles. She’s now building the skills to maintain the digital infrastructure that powers our world, and she’s just getting started.

Amil Hrnčić from Germany

Amil’s journey began with a referral from a family member. He joined Equinix Germany as an apprentice and quickly found his footing. Despite the challenges of Germany’s rigorous exams, Amil excelled and transitioned into a full-time data center technician role.

“Equinix invested a lot in us, and I’m very grateful. I now have a clear idea of what I want to do with my life.”

From installing customer equipment to maintaining 24/7 uptime, Amil’s role is critical to keeping the digital world running. His story is a powerful example of how apprenticeships can provide clarity, purpose and a strong foundation for long-term growth.

Why it matters

These stories show what’s possible when young people are given the chance to learn, grow and contribute in meaningful ways. Apprenticeships at Equinix are designed to provide:

Hands-on learning from day one
Mentorship and real-world experience
A supportive, inclusive environment
Clear paths to full-time roles and long-term careers

Equinix is proud to support the next generation of talent. With boundless opportunities to build career fulfillment and success right from the start, we’re shaping the future today. If you’re ready to find your path, explore our apprenticeships and early-career roles here.

Intern to impact – Haley Wynne

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:05:56 +0000

What if your internship could be the launchpad for your entire tech career?

For Haley Wynne, it was exactly that.

In 2023, Haley joined Equinix as an intern on our Global Technical Solutions Team (GTST) Public Sector team. Today, she's a full-time Solutions Architect Associate, designing cutting-edge network solutions for global clients. Her journey proves that, when you find the right environment with the right support, anything is possible.

Here's how Hayley launched her tech career— and how you can too.

How was your internship experience with Equinix, and what made you decide to join full-time?

My internship at Equinix in 2023 was such a meaningful experience. I worked on the Global Technical Solutions Team's Public Sector team, where I gained a solid understanding of the daily responsibilities of sales engineers and solutions architects. I also learned a lot about how working with public sector clients differs from private sector ones, which gave me a broader perspective on the industry.

What really stood out was the culture. I didn’t know much about Equinix going in, so there was a learning curve—not just in understanding the business, but also in adjusting to a corporate environment. But from day one, everyone was kind, approachable, and willing to help. That support made a huge difference and really stuck with me. It’s a big part of why I accepted a full-time offer. I knew Equinix was a place where I’d be supported and could grow.

Could you describe your day-to-day role and the impact you make?

I’m now a Solutions Architect Associate on the Global Principal Technologist team. Most of my time is spent supporting our Solutions Workshop program, which consists of one- to two-day deep-dive sessions with prospects and customers to uncover challenges in their network infrastructure and explore how Equinix can help.

My role is to actively listen, understand their current environment and goals, and translate that into a detailed deliverable. This includes outlining their current state, our recommendations, estimated costs, and a clear transition strategy. Many customers know they want to use Equinix but aren’t sure how to deploy our services effectively. That’s where I come in—designing tailored solutions that align with their needs. It’s incredibly rewarding to help customers unlock the full potential of what we offer.

How have you grown professionally during your time at Equinix?

Equinix has significantly supported my professional growth by investing in my training and development. Over the past year, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of computer networking, which enabled me to successfully earn my CompTIA Network+ certification. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support from my team. The skills I’ve developed have already enhanced my performance in my current role and will continue to benefit me in future opportunities.

What would you share with someone who is considering joining Equinix?

Equinix is a place where your growth is taken seriously. Whether you're just starting or looking to take the next step, there are so many opportunities to learn and evolve. The leadership is approachable, the teams are collaborative, and you’re constantly exposed to cutting-edge technology and global impact.

At Equinix, internships aren’t about busywork or ticking boxes—they’re about real projects, real learning, and real impact. Whether you’re just beginning your journey in tech or looking to take your skills to the next level, this is a place where your voice matters and your work makes a difference. Learn more about a career with Equinix here.

Ready to launch your own journey?

Haley's story isn't unique at Equinix. It's what we expect for every intern who joins us. We don't believe in coffee runs or busywork. We believe in giving you real projects, real mentorship, and real opportunities to make an impact from day one.

Whether you're studying computer science, business, engineering, or any field that intersects with technology, there's a place for you here. Your voice matters, your ideas count, and your growth is our priority.

The question isn't whether you're ready for Equinix. It's whether you're ready to discover what's possible when you have the right start and the right support. Discover your path forward

Mid-market sales at Equinix: A strategic career path driving digital transformation

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In the sales world, career paths often begin with small business accounts and scale toward enterprise-level deals. But at Equinix, mid-market sales isn’t just a transitional phase; it’s a dynamic, rewarding career. In this edition of People Spotlight, Janie Rashad, Director, Mid-Market Sales, shares her journey, insights and perspective on what makes the mid-market segment such a vital part of Equinix’s growth strategy.

A unique culture and an agile take on mid-market sales

Before joining Equinix, Janie spent nearly three decades in enterprise sales at a telecommunications provider. Her move to Equinix marked more than a change between companies.

“What sets Equinix apart is the culture of inclusion and belonging,” she says. “Here, people are seen as individuals first. There’s a strong commitment to professional growth and development, and I’ve experienced far less bureaucracy here than elsewhere.”

With over two and a half years in her current role at Equinix, Janie leads a team that works with mid-sized businesses, companies with moderate revenue but high growth potential. These customers are agile, ambitious and often resource-constrained, making them ideal partners for Equinix’s scalable digital infrastructure solutions.

“Mid-market customers are incredibly dynamic,” Janie explains. “They’re growing fast, often with limited resources, and they rely on us not just as vendors, but as strategic partners. In many cases, we become an extension of their team.”

Mid-market sales professionals at Equinix engage with businesses that are scaling rapidly and navigating digital transformation. These companies may not have the deep resources of large enterprises, but they bring speed, innovation and a strong need for strategic guidance. Equinix’s sales culture emphasizes:

Collaboration across teams
Agility in responding to customer needs
Empowerment to make decisions and drive impact

This environment is especially critical in mid-market sales, where sellers must be both consultative and tactical.

Career pathways and the key to success

For those who thrive on variety, relationship-building and the opportunity to grow alongside their customers, the mid-market sales segment offers a fulfilling and mobile career path. Mid-market sales professionals can grow within the team or pivot into roles such as sales engineering, solutions architecture or even finance.

“A career in mid-market sales is not easy,” Janie notes. “However, it is extremely rewarding. You need to be willing to put in the hard work. Prospecting, maintaining a strong pipeline, negotiating and closing are all essentials. It requires persistence, tenacity and hard work, alongside the effective use of Sales Enablement tools to sharpen product knowledge, sales skills and execution.” Programs like SOAR (Sales Onboarding for Accelerated Ramp) and Connect (Equinix’s annual sales kick-off event) provide sales professionals foundational training and ongoing development.

“SOAR is the springboard,” she says. “It gives new hires a 30-day start kit tailored to their role, covering everything from tools to processes. Connect, on the other hand, is a global experience that brings salespeople together to learn, grow and share best practices.”

The top three tips for aspiring mid-market sellers at Equinix

If you’re considering a career in mid-market sales at Equinix, Janie offers these top tips:

Leverage the SOAR onboarding program: It’s comprehensive and tailored to different sales motions, helping new hires ramp up quickly.
Understand the mid-market strategy: Know your customer. Mid-market accounts have unique needs such as scalability, digital transformation and speed. Position Equinix as a long-term partner.
Build relationships and use your resources: Collaboration is key. Tap into regional sales managers, technical sales teams and customer success managers.

With the right mindset, tools and support, sales professionals can thrive in the rich mid-market space and contribute to Equinix’s growth in this critical segment. Explore opportunities with our Sales team today.

The people behind CN1: Vijay Pathak talks digital transformation in Chennai

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

The launch of our Chennai 1 (CN1) data center marks a major leap forward, not only in infrastructure, but also in innovation, collaboration, and resilience. As India accelerates its digital transformation through initiatives like Digital India, 5G expansion and rising data consumption, CN1 stands ready to support this momentum with AI-ready digital infrastructure.  But behind every breakthrough is a team of dedicated individuals who make it happen.
Meet Vijay Pathak, Director, Construction Project Management, Equinix, one of the driving forces behind CN1. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in bringing this data center to life, enabling businesses in India to scale, connect, and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What made working on CN1 in Chennai a meaningful and memorable experience for you as an Equinix employee?

“Being a part of the very first new build in a major metro like Chennai brings a sense of achievement, of being a pioneer and contributing to a lasting legacy. Launching the first project in any new market comes with unique challenges, from navigating local regulations and establishing new supply chains, to adapting global designs to local conditions. Successfully overcoming these first-time hurdles fosters strong bonds and a deep sense of accomplishment. Equinix’s first-of-its-kind, high-intensity project in India forged exceptional teamwork. The shared learning experience of working under high pressure and high expectations created solid, lasting professional and personal relationships among core team members and stakeholders. This atmosphere provides a platform to learn and adapt quickly, offering invaluable, broad-based experience that accelerates professional growth and positions individuals as subject- matter experts for future projects in the region.”

Can you share an example of how your team came together to solve a challenge or celebrate a milestone during the CN1 build?

“CN1 came with some of the most challenging and memorable moments. We battled monsoons and strikes, navigated construction and testing hurdles, celebrated 5.1 million safe personnel hours and overcame the biggest challenge of delivering as early as possible. Through it all, it was teamwork—shaped by the collective knowledge and expertise across Equinix, not just locally but regionally and globally—that made the CN1 build a truly remarkable achievement.
 
One standout example of this teamwork took place during the final sprint. During this period, every team set aside routine tasks and stepped up to accelerate the build and delivery of CN1-1. People worked beyond hours, roles, and responsibilities with the singular focus on getting the project across the finish line through ingenuity and sheer grit.”

From your perspective, what does the launch of CN1 in Chennai represent for Equinix?

“CN1 is more than an investment. This launch marks several powerful, strategic and foundational milestones:
It connects our presence in South India to Equinix’s global network.
As our first greenfield facility, it sets the benchmarks for global standards of design, construction, commissioning, operational reliability, and sustainability, demonstrated through certifications and a focus on power and water efficiency. The site positions Equinix to capture the significant projected growth in data center capacity across South India.
It contributes to talent and work force development by hiring, training, and nurturing a skilled, local workforce in construction, engineering, and operations, directly supporting the regional economy.
 
As India embraces a digital transformation, CN1 stands as a testament to Equinix’s commitment to building a vibrant local ecosystem. Want to be part of the trailblazing team that’s driving growth in India? Check out our career site for opportunities. 

Success in mid-market sales: A day in the life

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 21:01:52 +0000

At Equinix, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s powering the digital world or supporting each other through the highs and lows of sales life, our teams bring energy, empathy and excellence to every customer interaction.

We caught up with Ockert Cilliers, a senior account executive on the Mid-Market Sales team in Australia, to hear what it’s really like to work in sales at Equinix—and what powers success in this fast-paced, customer-first environment.

Mornings start with coffee and connection

“Most days kick off with a fresh cup of coffee and a quick catch-up with the team,” Ockert shares. “It’s a great way to ease into the day and stay connected.”

From there, it’s a mix of virtual customer meetings, prospecting and prepping for the week ahead. Post-COVID, most interactions are online, but the team still makes time to come together in the office especially over lunch.

“We’ve got a great team culture. Being in the office together makes a big difference.”

The rewarding dynamics of mid-market sales

In mid-market sales, it’s not just about chasing new logos. It’s about nurturing relationships and helping customers grow. As Ockert explains, “About 75% of my time is spent looking after existing accounts. Retention is a huge focus for us.”

That doesn’t mean new business takes a back seat. With clear targets for new account sign-ups, prospecting is a must. The key? Blocking off time on the calendar and using smart tools to stay efficient.

What makes mid-market sales exciting at Equinix? The diversity of customers and the complexity of solutions are the key. “We work with everyone from customers with basic data center needs to those building their own clouds and reselling our services,” Ockert adds. “Every deal is different and requires a different approach to solutioning.” This variety keeps things fresh and challenges the team to think creatively and strategically.

Powering the digital world

Every deal contributes to something bigger. Equinix’s data-driven approach helps tailor engagement strategies and support global digital transformation. “We segment customers based on tech use, spending habits and growth potential. It helps us serve them better. The future of sales at Equinix is exciting. With the exploding global demand for AI-related services, our AI-ready data centers are uniquely positioned to support customers as they deploy solutions at scale. Our ability to enable global business expansion and drive digital transformation is what makes this space so dynamic,” says Ockert.

Life outside the office

After work, it’s all about balance. For Ockert, that means family time, fitness and the Aussie lifestyle. “I attend my kids’ training sessions most afternoons. I also go for a run or swim, and in the summer, a quick trip to the beach.”

A career at Equinix is more than a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. Whether you’re helping a customer expand globally or solving a complex infrastructure challenge, every day brings something new. For sales professionals looking for a role that blends purpose, flexibility and growth, Equinix offers a supportive environment that values your voice and allows your career to thrive.

Want to be part of that thriving team? Explore opportunities with our Sales team today.

Landmark College Computer Science Student Spends Summer Interning at Equinix

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

For Landmark College computer science student Jaden Clark, this year’s summer “break” meant moving to Frisco, Texas, for his second time to work as an IT project management intern at Equinix—a global leader in the data center and internet connectivity industry. Equinix, a publicly traded company with over 13,000 employees, operates more than 260 data centers in 33 countries.

Jaden described his position as “a bridge between customers and the Equinix product development team to ensure that our business customers got what they needed.” He worked over 30 hours a week and appreciated what he called “a work environment that was neurodivergent-friendly,” highlighting flexible meeting and workspace options, as well as resources like a wellness room.

Equinix is deeply committed to accessibility and neurodiversity. Senior IT Manager Debora Martins, Jaden’s supervisor across both internships, shared, “Equinix views neurodiversity not only as a strength but as a competitive advantage that drives innovation, creativity, and collaboration.” Jaden is one of several Landmark College students to participate in the company’s programming for neurodivergent interns and employees, including another student who completed a remote Equinix internship this summer. Martins added, “We are proud to support neurodiverse talent and grateful for Jaden's meaningful contributions.”

Senior Vice President of Software Engineering AJ Coon, executive sponsor of Equinix’s Accessibility program, emphasized, “Equinix aims to be a strong ally and member of the neurodiversity community.” Supporting early career students like Jaden is “a profoundly rewarding part of our opportunity as leaders of disability and neuro-inclusion in the workplace.” Coon praised Jaden’s impact, noting, “Jaden is a fast learner, driven by his curiosity to understand how things work and how they can be made better. We loved having Jaden on the team and are proud of the work he's doing and the impact that he's driving.”

The partnership between Landmark College and Equinix has been spearheaded by Weslie Ricks, DIB Manager, Accessibility, since 2023. Each year, Weslie has led college-to-career presentations, teaching students to advocate for themselves and introducing them to Equinix’s mission and culture. Weslie’s efforts have helped students gain valuable skills and confidence as they transition from college to the workforce.

Reflecting on the program, Weslie Ricks said, “Our partnership with Landmark College is about more than internships—it’s about empowering students to see themselves as future leaders in tech. We want every student to know that their unique perspectives are valued and needed in this industry.”

Jaden also received academic credit and support throughout his internship from the Landmark College Access to Innovative Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (AIE-STEMPLOS) Scholarship Program, funded by an S-STEM grant through the National Science Foundation.

Pollinating change: Matt Wagner talks bees, buzz and impact

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000

At Equinix, we recognize biodiversity as a critical factor in addressing climate change and preserving planetary health. In Australia, our data centers host both native and introduced bees — a deliberate choice to foster healthier ecosystems and support nature’s ability to thrive. In this edition of The People Behind, we spotlight Matt Wagner, Project and Program Manager, whose passion helped bring the vision of bees at our data centers to life. From promoting biodiversity to inspiring future generations through education, discover how Equinix is investing in nature and redefining what progress means for a global digital infrastructure company.

Can you share a little bit about yourself and your role at Equinix?

[Matt] I've always had a strong interest in the environment, which initially led me to pursue a diploma in Biological Techniques. That passion eventually guided my career path — from working as an electrician at one of our data centers to becoming a project and program manager on the Data Center team.

I joined Equinix in 2019 as a supervisor at SY6, a role that not only deepened my technical knowledge but also gave me the chance to collaborate with incredibly talented people across the company. In 2024, I transitioned to the Project Management Office as a project and program manager, where I've had the opportunity to lead a variety of initatives across our Australian sites, from UPS (uninterruptible power supply) replacements to upgrades of critical HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems and other essential infrastructure."

In a few sentences, could you give us the gist of the Bee Project?

[Matt] "The native stingless bee program was established to support colonies commonly found in the Sydney, Wollongong, and Brisbane regions — areas where the bees have been impacted by urban development and industrial activity. By providing alternative housing near our data centers, Equinix is helping to protect and preserve these vital pollinators.

As part of this initiative, we're expanding hive numbers by pairing empty hives with thriving colonies. Once a new colony forms in an empty hive, Equinix will donate it to local schools, offering students a hands-on opportunity to learn about native bees and biodiversity. To further inspire the next generation, our team members will also deliver short educational presentations, helping schools care for the bees and fostering a deeper appreciation for these remarkable insects."

What makes working on the Bee Project a particularly meaningful or memorable experience for you as an Equinix employee?

[Matt] "This project is incredibly close to my heart. I've always had a personal passion for native stingless bees, so it's been amazing to have Equinix's support in turning this initiative into a reality. What stands out most to me is the genuine interest it's sparked. Not just among our team, but also with customers and especially our leadership. Their willingness to invest in the program has been truly inspiring.

Some of the most rewarding moments happen when I hear people say, 'I didn't even know we had native stingless bees in Australia —now I do.’ It's a powerful reminder that our efforts are not only helping the environment but also educating and inspiring those around us to care just a little more.”

Can you share an example of your team solving a challenge or celebrating a milestone for the Bee Project?

[Matt] “One of the key challenges we faced with this bee initiative was finding the right locations for the hives. Native stingless bees need nearby bushland to forage, but the hives also require protection from harsh weather. After careful consideration, we identified suitable spots at SY6 and SY7, and we’re excited about the opportunity to expand to BR1 and the South Sydney campus.

We faced another challenge is with managing extreme heat. Unlike natural hollow logs, our hives can overheat when temperatures rise above 38°C (100°F).

To combat this, our site teams stepped in, placing blocks of ice on top of the hives to help keep the bees cool. It was fantastic to see such enthusiastic participation, and having mechanical engineers on-site made a big difference in finding practical solutions.

A major milestone for the program has been the growing awareness among our site teams. Learning about how native stingless bees interact with their environment has sparked curiosity and care, encouraging people to think about how they can support these unique insects in their own lives.

I’m especially excited about the next phase: donating hives to local schools. Seeing this program come full circle will be incredibly rewarding!”

From your perspective, what does the launch of the Bee Project represent for Equinix?

[Matt] "The launch of the native stingless bee program reflects Equinix’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and socially responsible business practices. It’s a meaningful way for us to give back to the world by supporting biodiversity, promoting sustainability and investing in education for future generations.

This initiative not only strengthens our conservation efforts locally but also holds potential for global expansion. Regions such as Asia, Central America, and South America, where native stingless bees are also found, could benefit from similar programs, further amplifying our impact and reinforcing Equinix's dedication to fostering positive change worldwide."

The people behind accessibility at Equinix: A chat with Weslie Ricks

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Behind every meaningful change is someone who refuses to accept barriers as the norm. At Equinix, that person is Weslie Ricks, the trailblazer who leads accessibility programs on our Community and Belonging team. Weslie’s work ensures that accessibility is woven into the fabric of our culture — because inclusion isn’t just a policy, it’s a commitment. We sat down with Weslie to learn more about her role and what accessibility means at Equinix.

Can you share a little bit about yourself and your role at Equinix?

I’m Weslie Ricks, a manager on our Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility (DIBA) team within Community and Belonging. I lead accessibility programs that focus on equal access and disability inclusion to create an environment and experiences where everyone—employee or customer—can thrive. My passion for this work comes from lived experience and a deep belief that accessibility benefits everyone. I am a person with a disability, and I live with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and a neurological movement disorder that manifests in seizures and muscle spasms. I am also a mother to three children with disabilities. I have seen firsthand the barriers they face living with autism or hearing impairments—barriers that are not inherent to themselves, but barriers society has built.

What does accessibility mean at Equinix?

Over 15% of the world’s population have a disability, and by 2030, billions of people will rely on assistive technology. Accessibility means designing environments, tools, policies and experiences that everyone, regardless of ability or disability, can use fully and independently. Accessibility at Equinix is about belonging and respect. It’s ensuring that every employee can bring their whole self to work and succeed. Our team drives initiatives that make this possible—through inclusive design, awareness programs and partnerships that advance disability inclusion. We also support candidates through a global accommodations process, ensuring equitable experiences from the very start.

In a few sentences, could you give us the gist of working in the community and belonging team at Equinix?

Our work in Community and Belonging touches every part of the employee experience. From our local WeAreEquinix chapters and Employee Connection Networks (also known as employee resource groups) to programs like Days of Understanding and the Equinix Foundation, we create spaces where employees can not only work but belong. ConnectAbilities, our EECN for people with disabilities, neurodiversity, caregivers, and more, is an integral partner in creating community for these groups and educating allies on how to serve and support us.

What are some milestones that you’re most proud of?

We marked one of the most meaningful milestones when our CEO, Adaire Fox-Martin, signed the Disability Inclusion CEO Commitment Letter from Disability:IN early this year. That pledge signaled a strong commitment from the top to advancing accessibility and disability inclusion across Equinix and the industry.

We’re also proud to have been recognized as a “2025 Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index in the U.S., Brazil, Germany and Japan—an achievement that reflects the progress we’ve made and the roadmap we’re building for the future.

Another highlight is education and awareness. Since 2023, we’ve trained over 3,000 employees on accessibility and disability inclusion, equipping teams with the knowledge and tools to create a more inclusive workplace, because it takes all of us.

While we’ve made big wins, the changes in culture are even more important, including ASL signs of the week in our Toronto office, an Autism Acceptance Month event in Chile, captioning enablement across the enterprise, and serenity rooms for neurodivergent colleagues to have quiet spaces to work. What was once new territory now shapes everyday practices within our culture. These milestones remind us that accessibility isn’t a one-time initiative; it’s a continuous journey of learning, action and impact.

Why is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities so important to you?

This day holds profound significance for me. As someone living with invisible disabilities, a mother to three incredible children with disabilities, and a professional in this space, advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities isn’t just part of my work—it’s my life’s work. It’s a cause I carry with me daily, and this day serves as a powerful reminder of the work we’ve done and the work still ahead. People with disabilities remain the most marginalized group globally and still experience up to 80% unemployment in most countries. The reality is that most of us will have a disability at some point in our lives. And regardless of whether someone is born with a disability or acquires it at some point along the journey, accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities are fundamental rights.

Accessibility in our community

We also spoke with employees across the globe to hear their perspectives on how Equinix is creating a workplace where everyone matters.

[Jan Lee, Singapore]

“Equinix office welcomes everyone with wheelchair-accessible pathways, elevated tables, and inclusive restrooms, creating a space where all can thrive”

[Chandrashekar R, India]

“As a visually impaired person, I greatly appreciate Equinix’s commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment, which allows me to bring my true self to work every day. I have never felt like I’m disabled here, and I’m proud to say, ‘I’m safe, I belong, and I matter’

Equinix has provided excellent support from the start, including the necessary tools, access, screen readers, customized headsets/keyboards, and workspace adaptations. My leaders' support has been so crucial - there are no boundaries. I am developing not only as a Talent Intelligence Advisor, but also as a trained digital accessibility enthusiast, pursuing my interest in accessibility testing wherever possible. Furthermore, the inclusive atmosphere here guarantees that everyone's voice is heard, which has been critical in allowing me to contribute effectively and advance within the organisation.”

[Monika Duda, Poland]

"What I truly appreciate about Equinix is that everyone I’ve met here embraces an accessibility-first mindset. It was a pleasant surprise to see not only my team proactively support my accessibility needs, but also to experience a company culture that consistently reinforces the message: I am supported and empowered to succeed in what I do best. In many workplaces, ableism remains an unspoken issue. But at Equinix, it’s different. The company went above and beyond to meet my accessibility needs and was the first organization where I felt truly seen, not as a diversity checkbox, but as a professional with valuable contributions. Even before my first day, I received a call asking about the accommodations I might need so everything could be ready from day one. This meant the world to me."

Hack for Good

Accessibility isn’t just about policies; it’s about empathy and innovation. At Equinix, we believe technology can be a powerful enabler of inclusion. In September, we launched an enterprise-wide Hack for Good hackathon with three clear priorities: accessibility, innovation and AI.

The hackathon brought together teams across the company to design solutions that make life easier and more inclusive for everyone.

As Jon Lin, Chief Business Officer, shared:

Accessibility isn’t a niche topic; it must be front and centre for us. AI can be leveraged to take something difficult and turn it into something simple, intuitive and conversational, and that is what the spirit of this hackathon is all about.

For AJ Coon, SVP of Engineering Excellence, accessibility is more than a feature—it’s a mindset:

Accessibility is simple equal access for all. What starts as accessibility often becomes mainstream innovation. It drives better products, happier customers, and more engaged employees. Accessibility isn’t just about features; it is about belonging. Belonging means being seen, valued and included.

And as Harmeen Mehta, our Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, reminded us:

Every person should have a connected and fulfilling life, especially in this increasingly digital world. We are not there yet, but we are on our way. Accessibility ensures belonging because it sends a very clear message. And that is you were thought of, you were included from the start.

Sparking creativity, promoting awareness and nurturing empathy all live at the heart of Hack for Good. Because when accessibility leads, innovation follows.

Accessibility is a core part of how we build our culture and our products at Equinix. From Weslie’s leadership in shaping programs that educate and equip our workforce, to initiatives like our 2025 Hack for Good hackathon that brings together the same workforce to build a more accessible world, we’re proving that inclusion is both a responsibility and an opportunity. The voices of our employees remind us that accessibility is about removing barriers while building new policies, technologies and processes that don’t have those barriers to begin with. We know there’s more work ahead, but every step brings us closer to a workplace and a world where everyone can fully participate and thrive—one we all want to be a part of.

Equinix Hack for Good hackathon: Perspectives after 48 hours of creativity

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Imagine this: A room buzzing with energy, new ideas taking flight as over 400 passionate innovators come together with one shared mission—championing accessibility through technology. That’s exactly what unfolded during the Equinix Hack for Good hackathon, a 48-hour event designed to spark collaboration, creativity and meaningful impact. Accessibility means designing environments, tools, policies and experiences that everyone, regardless of ability or disability, can use fully and independently. Over the course of two days, participants from across the company worked tirelessly to turn possibilities into reality, developing solutions that make technology more inclusive for everyone. Teams brainstormed, coded and built projects aimed at breaking down barriers and driving accessibility forward.

The results? Over 60 fully functional, demos spanning transformative themes that included portal unification, accessibility and AI as the default. Adding to the excitement, these pioneers had the unique opportunity to showcase their innovations to Equinix leaders, gaining visibility and feedback from those shaping the future of technology. The true magic of the event was not just in the projects—it was also in the people. Their stories and reactions capture the impact of the Equinix hackathon.

The experiences of the participants, in their own words:

“The Equinix hackathon gave me the space to bring forward an idea that had been sitting quietly for a while—something rooted in personal experience and reflection.” – Dhrubajyoti Chakraborty, Senior Product Manager

“It was super energizing to see how fast we could align, iterate and build something meaningful together.” – Sandy Chang, Senior User Experience Designer

“Innovation thrives when empathy meets execution. Our team didn’t just build a product—we built a solution that matters.” – Namasivayam Easwara Moorthy, Principal Product Manager

“What I’ll remember most about Equinix’s hackathon isn’t just the technology we created, but the human element that made it possible. Every team member brought unique insights that illuminated different facets of our AI gateway project.” – Andre Stubberfield, Senior Principal Solutions Architect

“The hackathon gave me a chance to stretch beyond my comfort zone and be a part of an experience that reflects the best of what Equinix stands for—collaboration, courage and curiosity.” – Angela Mayfield, Project and Program Manager

“My favorite moment from the Equinix hackathon was when the exhaustion somehow turned into inspiration—when our diverse backgrounds and thinking styles stopped being differences and became our greatest asset.” – Lily Liu, Solutions Architect Senior Associate

“Having time to step away from my regular work to chase creative solutions doesn’t just make the hackathon exciting—it changes how I tackle problems all year long. When the company enthusiastically backs these creative explorations, it creates an atmosphere where everyone feels inspired to think bigger and aim higher.” – Lee Sharping, Principal Solutions Architect

“The hackathon was a unique opportunity to innovate with purpose. It reminded us that technology reaches its true potential only when it’s accessible to all, and that building for everyone creates meaningful impact.” – Salma Sultana, Staff Engineer, Product Software and Carl Peter Ingemar Lindstrom, User Experience Design

“The hackathon opened my eyes to the accessibility gap and gave me a chance to push technical boundaries.” – Nicky Prusty, Senior Software Engineer

“This opportunity was a chance to put the company’s core value of innovation into tangible action. We often talk about pushing boundaries, but the hackathon provides the structure to do it—risk-free and with urgency.” – Fernanda Casadio, Senior Business Systems Analyst

Our leaders were similarly inspired and energized by the creativity and incredible sense of purpose that filled the room. Their reflections reinforced the remarkable technical talent on display, further strengthened by the shared commitment to shape a more inclusive and accessible digital future.

What our leaders had to say about the hackathon’s breakthrough outcomes:

“Accessibility isn’t a niche topic; it must be front and center for us. AI can be leveraged to take something difficult and turn it into something simple, intuitive and conversational,and that is what the spirit of this hackathon is all about.” – Jon Lin, Chief Business Officer

“Accessibility is simple—equal access for all. What starts as accessibility often becomes mainstream innovation. It drives better products, happier customers and more engaged employees. Accessibility isn’t just about features; it is about belonging. Belonging means being seen, valued and included.” – AJ Coon, Senior Vice President, Engineering Excellence

“Every person should have a connected and fulfilling life, especially in this increasingly digital world. We are not there yet, but we are on our way. Accessibility ensures belonging because it sends a very clear message. And that is you were thought of; you were included from the start.” – Harmeen Mehta, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer

As we continue to push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible, we invite you to stay connected, join the conversation and be a part of the change. Together, we can build a digital world where everyone belongs.

Building a long-term career at Equinix: How Usha Mittal found growth, purpose and community

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000

For over nine years, Usha Mittal has built a multiple-chapter, high-impact career at Equinix—one that reflects our ethos as a place where growth is supported, expected and celebrated. With over 20 years of experience across go-to-market, marketing and sales functions, Usha is now a partner account manager known for cultivating strategic relationships and driving outcomes across Equinix’s partner ecosystem. But the pathway to this role wasn’t linear. Usha’s journey is a testament to how internal mobility, curiosity and culture can shape long-term career success at Equinix.

A career fueled by exploration and curiosity

Usha joined Equinix’s Sydney office as the first partner marketing hire, at a time when the channel business was still emerging in Australia. This early start gave her a unique opportunity to help define the position of partner marketing at the company.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to deepen her impact, she transitioned into a reseller activation role, where she focused on recruiting, onboarding and developing partners. This hands-on work exposed her to the full life cycle of partner growth and strengthened her understanding of how channel ecosystems scale.

Her contributions led to her promotion to Senior Partner Program Manager, where she played a critical role in building joint go-to-market strategies with Australia’s top telecommunications companies. As Equinix introduced distribution as a new channel growth engine, Usha stepped up again, leading the APAC Distribution program and onboarding distribution partners across Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

With a strong interest in revenue generation and equipped with transferable skills earned across partner and program management, Usha made another strategic move—this time to channel sales. Today, she drives new business growth with Equinix’s focused partners in Australia, continuing her journey at the intersection of strategy, partnership and customer impact.

Her trajectory demonstrates how Equinix empowers employees to move across functions, stretch into new areas and shape careers that evolve with their interests and strengths.

With each role, Usha gained a deeper understanding of how partners power Equinix’s success, an insight that shapes the passion she carries into her work today.

“The Partner Ecosystem is our Superpower”

For Usha, the biggest opportunity at Equinix lies in the strength of our partner ecosystem. We’ve built a global, interconnected partner network over the last 27 years.

“The scale we achieve with partners is incredible,” she says. “Being part of Partner Sales gives me the chance to collaborate with industry-leading organizations and create win-win solutions that help businesses scale globally.”

Finding Belonging, Confidence through WomenConnect

One of the defining, ongoing chapters of Usha’s Equinix journey is her involvement with WomenConnect, an Equinix Employee Connection Network (EECN) dedicated to empowering Equinix women employees and advocates.

Usha shares: “When I joined Equinix nine years ago, I clearly remember my Day 1, and my first thought was... ‘Wow, there are so many women in the office!’ Having worked in telcos and other tech companies, this was unusual. I immediately felt a sense of belonging, and I knew I had joined the right company. The rest is history.”

Although WomenConnect (then formerly known as the Equinix Women Leaders Network) was initially limited to senior leaders, Usha made her interest known. When its membership opened to all employees two years later, she became an ambassador—then, shortly after, she was tapped to lead WomenConnect APAC.

Stepping into leadership stretched her confidence, and helped propel her career with diverse opportunities:

Building relationships with senior leaders
Leading flagship events like International Women’s Day
Driving Women in Tech initiatives
Hosting global panels
Representing APAC in the inaugural EECN Council

“I owe a lot of my personal and professional development to WomenConnect,” Usha adds, “which has enabled me to build relationships with senior executives and lead key projects such as International Women’s Day programs, Women in Tech initiatives, panel interviews with global leaders and much more.”

Being part of WomenConnect gave her confidence, perspective and a deeper appreciation of the role of our culture in driving performance.

Endless excitement in a cutting-edge space

Usha thrives in an environment where innovation meets impact. At Equinix, she is surrounded by both every day.

“I enjoy working in a fast-paced organization that is on a growth trajectory, where we are really working towards a common goal, which is to solve challenges for our customers,” she says. “What I love about Equinix is the support everyone is willing to provide across the board, whether it’s our leaders or peers. Through my tenure, I am grateful to my leaders who, throughout my tenure, have provided the platform to bring my authentic best to work by giving me the flexibility in moving to different roles and stepping outside my day job to work on things like WomenConnect and supporting other networks.”

As AI accelerates, hybrid multicloud becomes the standard, and data demands rise, Usha believes that Equinix is uniquely positioned to lead the next decade of digital innovation. Equinix is investing in technologies that will define the future of digital infrastructure. Usha said, “Our platform, ecosystem, and interconnection capabilities give us a competitive edge,” she notes. “With clarity, simplicity, and a growth mindset, we’re not just keeping up with the future—we’re shaping it.”

Advice for anyone considering a career at Equinix

Usha’s message is simple and powerful:

“Collaborate. Connect. Stay Curious.” She reinforces the boundless paths at Equinix. “Even though we are a global organization, doors are always open. Equinix is a place where you can grow if you are willing to learn, explore and connect.”

As Equinix continues to accelerates into an AI‑powered, cloud‑connected future, we’re looking for people who thrive on innovation— just like Usha. Whether you’re exploring your next move or simply curious about what’s possible, there’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the world’s digital infrastructure leader company®.

Don’t just watch the future unfold. Help us build it. Explore open roles, join our talent community or read more about a career with us.

Equinix Canada spotlight: Awards & highlights

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:28:33 +0000

At Equinix Canada, we’re intentional about building an environment where people thrive, develop their skills and feel seen. That commitment is recognized this year with two major honours: Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2026) and Greater Toronto’s Top Employers (2026). Both distinctions celebrate progressive workplaces across criteria like work atmosphere, benefits and training and skills development—areas we focus on every day.

Kicking off the new year with national and regional recognition

Being named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2026) underscores our employee-first mindset and the programs that support it—from comprehensive health coverage to continuous learning. The award is organized by Mediacorp Canada and evaluated across eight measures: Workplace; Work Atmosphere & Social; Health, Financial & Family Benefits; Vacation & Time Off; Employee Communications; Performance Management; Training & Skills Development; and Community Involvement.

We’re also proud to be among Greater Toronto’s Top Employers (2026), which shines a light on organizations fostering strong cultures and wellbeing in one of the country’s most dynamic areas.

Connecting with Canada’s tech community at BFUTR

Our Canada team recently attended BFUTR, a global summit that brings together thousands of Black tech professionals and allies for two days of networking, learning and career opportunities. It’s widely billed as the world’s largest gathering of Black tech professionals—and our teams were all-in: from one-on-one conversations to sharing Equinix swag and stories about life inside Equinix. This was our second year participating and our volunteers—including Equinix Canada Managing Director Marc Mondésir—were thrilled to meet candidates, partners and peers during the event.

Take your kids to work day, Equinix edition

We’re passionate about sparking curiosity in the next generation. During Take Your Kids to Work Day, our Operations teams welcomed employees’ children to our TR2 data centre in Toronto. It was a hands-on tour: exploring how the internet moves through a facility like TR2, working together to solve a simulated incident and testing knowledge in a tech-themed quiz. We wrapped with pizza, Polaroid snapshots and a “Certified Internet Insider” certificate for each participant.

(TR2 is our downtown Toronto IBX that serves as a key interconnection hub in Canada’s digital ecosystem. It’s one of the most interconnected buildings in the country!)

Inspiring tech pathways with the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals

We were proud to welcome the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals once again to our TR2 data centre for an inspiring tour and conversation about careers in tech. CEE is a Toronto-based charity dedicated to breaking down economic and social barriers for Black youth and helping them build pathways to employment. A heartfelt thank you to our Equinix Canada team members at TR2, who invested their time and expertise to make the experience truly special for attendees.

Momentum that matters

Recognition is meaningful, but it also added motivation. As we step into 2026, we’re celebrating the people and programs that make Equinix special while we keep building for the future. Explore careers with us.

Equinix Canada à l'honneur : récompenses et faits marquants

Chez Equinix Canada, nous nous efforçons de créer un environnement où les personnes puissent s'épanouir, développer leurs compétences et se sentir reconnues. Cet engagement est reconnu cette année par deux distinctions majeures : « Les 100 meilleurs employeurs du Canada » (2026) et « Les meilleurs employeurs du Grand Toronto » (2026). Ces deux distinctions récompensent les employeurs innovants selon des critères tels que l'ambiance de travail, les avantages sociaux, la formation et le développement des compétences, autant de domaines sur lesquels nous misons jour après jour.

Commencer la nouvelle année avec une reconnaissance nationale et régionale

Notre nomination parmi les 100 meilleurs employeurs du Canada (2026) souligne notre mentalité « priorité aux employés » ainsi que les programmes qui l’appuient — de la couverture santé complète à l’apprentissage continu. Organisé par Mediacorp Canada, le prix est décerné selon huit critères : Milieu de travail; Atmosphère de travail et social; Avantages sociaux, financiers et familiaux; Vacances et congés; Communications avec les employés; Gestion de la performance; Formation et développement des compétences; Engagement communautaire.

Nous sommes également fiers de faire partie des Meilleurs employeurs du Grand Toronto (2026), prix qui met en lumière les organisations favorisant des cultures solides et du bien-être dans l’une des régions les plus dynamiques du pays.

Rendez-vous avec la communauté technologique canadienne au BFUTR

Notre équipe canadienne s'est récemment rendue au BFUTR, un sommet mondial qui réunit des milliers de professionnels du secteur de la technologie et leurs alliés pour deux jours de réseautage, d’apprentissage et d’opportunités de carrière. Dans cet événement reconnu comme le plus grand rassemblement au monde de professionnels noirs de la technologie, nos équipes étaient totalement engagées : des conversations en tête-à-tête au partage de gadgets Equinix en passant par des témoignages sur le travail chez Equinix. C’était notre deuxième année de participation et nos bénévoles — dont Marc Mondésir, directeur général d’Equinix Canada — étaient ravis de rencontrer des candidats, partenaires et pairs lors de l’événement.

Journée « Emmenez vos enfants au travail », édition Equinix

Il nous tient à cœur de susciter la curiosité chez la prochaine génération. Pendant la journée « Emmenez vos enfants au travail », nos équipes des opérations ont accueilli les enfants des employés dans notre centre de données TR2 à Toronto. Il s'agissait d'une visite axée sur la pratique : découvrir comment Internet circule dans une installation telle que TR2, collaborer pour résoudre un incident simulé et tester ses connaissances dans le cadre d'un jeu-questionnaire sur le thème de la technologie. Nous avons conclu la journée avec des pizzas, des instantanés Polaroid et un certificat « Expert Internet certifié » pour chaque participant.

(TR2, notre IBX du centre-ville de Toronto, est un centre d’interconnexion clé dans l’écosystème numérique canadien. C’est l’un des bâtiments les plus interconnectés du pays!)

Inspirer des parcours dans la technologie avec le Centre CEE pour les jeunes professionnels noirs

Nous avons été fiers d’accueillir à nouveau le Centre CEE pour les jeunes professionnels noirs dans notre centre de données TR2 pour une visite inspirante et des échanges sur les carrières dans le secteur technologique. Le Centre CEE est un organisme de bienfaisance situé à Toronto qui s'est donné pour mission de lever les obstacles économiques et sociaux auxquels sont confrontés les jeunes Noirs, et de les aider à trouver un emploi. Nous remercions chaleureusement les membres de l'équipe Equinix Canada du TR2, qui ont investi leur temps et leur expertise pour rendre cette expérience inoubliable pour les participants.

Une dynamique qui fait la différence

La reconnaissance est importante, mais il s’agit également de renforcer la motivation. Alors que nous entrons dans l'année 2026, rendons hommage aux personnes et aux programmes qui font la particularité d'Equinix, et continuons à bâtir l'avenir. Explorez les postes disponibles chez nous.

Inside the Data Centre series

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:55:09 +0000

When you ask someone to think about data centers, technology like cloud infrastructure or rooms of servers may be the first things that come to mind. But at Equinix, the real story is about the people powering our data centers: our designers, engineers, project managers, sustainability experts and business leaders.

That’s why the Inside Data Centre Podcast invited the Equinix’s Global Design and Construction (GDC) team onto the show for a special series to share their experiences, career journeys and perspectives. This team sits at the heart of how Equinix designs, builds and delivers data centers around the world. Their work shapes not only our facilities but also our culture.

Hosted by Andy Davis, the Inside Data Centre Podcast is dedicated to exploring the people, projects and ideas shaping the data center industry. This special series offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at what it’s like to work at Equinix. Across three episodes, our people share their insights on collaboration, leadership, sustainability and what makes working in data centers both challenging and rewarding.

If you’re curious about a career in this industry or wonder what working at Equinix is really like, these conversations are a great place to start.

Episode 1: Building Together: Collaboration at Equinix

In the first episode of this series, Andy is joined by Equinix’s Hayley Godlieb, Senior Construction Project Manager; Tomi Anyanwu, Director of Design Delivery; and Claire Cullen, Director of Commercial Management.

Together, they share what it takes to deliver large‑scale data center projects across regions and time zones. The conversation highlights how teams across design, construction and commercial functions collaborate closely, break down silos, and rely on trust and communication to deliver consistently at scale.

They also reflect on their career paths into the data center industry and discuss how Equinix supports onboarding, mentorship and continuous learning, which are all crucial in a global, fast‑moving environment.

What you’ll take away: a clear picture of how collaboration works in practice at Equinix as well as how diverse perspectives and teamwork shape everyday work across global projects.

Listen to Episode 1

Episode 2: Rethinking water in the data centre industry

The series’ second episode shifts the focus to sustainability, one of the most critical challenges facing the data center industry today.

Andy speaks with Alex Setmajer, Sustainability Manager at Equinix, to give listeners an inside view of how responsible water use is embedded in Equinix’s data center design and operation. Alex explains how water considerations influence site selection, cooling strategies and long‑term planning, as well as how Equinix works closely with local communities to make informed decisions.

Going beyond theory, the episode explores real‑world trade‑offs and decisions to offer a grounded look at how sustainability expertise directly shapes outcomes.

What you’ll take away: an understanding of how sustainability roles at Equinix provide real ownership and impact in addition to how environmental responsibility is built into day‑to‑day decision‑making.

Listen to Episode 2

Episode 3: Pursuing Excellence Together

This third episode looks at the people side of performance. Andy is joined by Equinix’s Andrew Higgins, Senior Director of Global Master Planning and Sustainability, and Matt Brown, Senior Director of Design Delivery, for a conversation about how Equinix builds and sustains high‑performance teams across a global organization.

They discuss leadership, wellbeing and mentorship as well as why creating space for growth and career mobility is essential in a fast‑growing industry. The episode also highlights how people‑first leadership is ingrained into Equinix’s ways of working, even while teams are delivering complex projects at pace.

What you’ll take away: insights into how Equinix supports long‑term career growth, values wellbeing and invests in leaders who put people at the center of performance.

Listen to Episode 3

Careers at Equinix: more than data centers

Across all three episodes, you’ll hear one clear message: Careers in data centers are about people.

At Equinix, you’ll find:

· Global opportunities across design, construction, sustainability, engineering and operations

· A collaborative, inclusive culture built on trust and respect

· Leaders who invest in development, mentorship and wellbeing

Explore careers at Equinix and discover how your skills could help power the world’s digital infrastructure.

Continuous growth: Kotaro Furuya’s journey in Customer Operations

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:19:53 +0000

Continuous growth: Kotaro Furuya’s journey in Customer Operations

As part of our Inside Moves series, we’re excited to feature Kotaro Furuya’s transition to Customer Operations Engineer III at Equinix’s Tokyo data centers. Kotaro’s story highlights how growth can start with a single conversation with a manager, demonstrating the value of learning from colleagues, embracing new responsibilities and pursuing evolution at our future-driven company.

What inspired you to explore a new opportunity within Equinix?

My colleagues have been a constant source of inspiration. Observing their dedication and sense of ownership made me realize how much I wanted to further align my own professional growth with Equinix’s objectives. I felt ready to adopt more complex responsibilities and contribute more effectively to our team’s success. The opportunity to take on new challenges felt like a meaningful step forward for my development, and I knew it would help me develop both personally and professionally.

How did you first learn about the role?

I first heard about the new position during a conversation with my manager. We regularly discuss my performance and career aspirations, and during one of these talks, my manager suggested I consider moving into this expanded role. Having that direct encouragement made the transition feel natural and supported.

What motivated you to take the leap internally instead of looking externally?

This new role was a logical next step from my current position, allowing me to build on the skills, knowledge and experience I had already developed. By moving internally, I could offer a seamless transition and focus on supporting the team and contributing to our goals. I also felt that staying with Equinix would give me more opportunities for progression and learning than starting over somewhere new.

What steps did you take to prepare for the move?

To prepare, I gradually increased the area of responsibility in my previous role, taking on new tasks and challenges to prove my readiness for the next step. I sought out opportunities to manage a broader scope of work and made sure to demonstrate my ability to handle more complex projects. This hands-on approach equipped me with the skills and confidence needed for the transition.

What were you most excited—or nervous—about when making the transition?

I was excited about the chance to grow and take on new challenges, but I was also nervous about making mistakes because of the larger scope of my new role. This apprehension pushed me to develop stronger attention to detail and a greater awareness of potentia risks. Ultimately, it helped me become more careful and thoughtful in my work, a valuable lesson.

How has this new role challenged you professionally?

Beyond my core technical responsibilities, this role has stretched my capability to take proactive ownership of the entire project life cycle. I’m now responsible for moving initiatives forward, ensuring important tasks are completed, and making sure unfinished tasks are prioritized and executed. This has required me to be more organized, decisive and collaborative, shaping even deeper value as a key member of the team.

What are you most proud of accomplishing since making the move?

I’m most proud of earning the trust to take on more responsibilities. Being recognized for my efforts and given the opportunity to contribute at a higher level has been incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for the support from my managers and team, which has made this transition possible.

How has your experience changed your perspective on career growth at Equinix?

My experience has shown me that there are many opportunities for growth within Equinix. The company truly supports employees who want to advance and develop new skills. I now see my career as a journey with many possible paths, and I’m excited to keep exploring what’s next.

What advice would you give to other employees thinking about their next step?

I recommend talking to someone who has already experienced a similar transition. Hearing firsthand about their journey helped me gain clarity and confidence about the process. It’s important to seek advice and learn from others, as it can make your own path much clearer and less daunting.

What do you wish more people knew about internal mobility or career conversations?

I think more people should know that internal mobility often starts with a simple conversation. Talking openly with your manager about your goals can create opportunities for you across the company—opportunities you might not see at first!

What’s next for you? Any new goals or skills you’re excited to develop?

I’m eager to develop my training skills so I can help others advance and succeed. Sharing knowledge and supporting my colleagues are priorities I look forward to as I continue my own journey.

If you could describe your career journey in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?

Continuous growth. I see my career as a road for constant learning, where every role gives me a chance to become a better version of myself through new experiences and knowledge.

Thinking about what’s next for you? Browse open roles and move forward on your career path at Equinix.

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