THE FINAL WORD
THE FINAL WORD
Christine Schyvinck, chairman, president and CEO at Shure, has the final word How did you get started in the media tech industry? Beginning my career as a quality control engineer, I was exposed to learning about the types of issues sound professionals encounter daily and making sure that our equipment didn’t contribute to those issues. Because Shure’s reputation is built on high-quality products, this was an extremely important job. It still is today, as this company remains committed to delivering the best-performing products. I eventually moved from vice president of quality to vice president of operations, where I managed procurement, supply chain and manufacturing as well as quality. This was another essential experience because I was able to work with intelligent, passionate people worldwide. I then moved into a role leading global marketing and sales, where I managed three business units in the Americas, Europe/Middle East/ Africa and the Asia/Pacific regions. This experience helped me learn more about overall company operations, the global business structure, and what we need to do to meet the evolving needs of customers in the media tech industry. Having diverse experience in different parts of the company has given me an appreciation that I don’t think many CEOs have: thoroughly understanding the type of work that happens at various levels of an organisation and appreciating the efforts of associates to make this such a fantastic place.
“Looking beyond our traditional target customers can bring fresh insights.”
How has it changed since you started your career? As Shure celebrates its 95-year anniversary in 2020, there’s a tremendous level of pride throughout the company about where we are today. But business is changing. Customer needs are changing. And we need to continue our evolution. The biggest challenges most companies face is how quickly technology is changing. At Shure, we’re having discussions about our various markets and how to make sure we remain relevant. Media tech is a vital part of our focus. We have tremendous horsepower when it comes to audio, wireless technology, DSP and software. Now, more than ever, we must always stay on the forefront of shifting market needs and technology changes.
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What makes you passionate about working in the industry? I love our associates. I’m proud of the culture Shure has grown and fostered. Evolving from a local, family-run Chicago company to a global, go-to solutions provider in audio technology, we’ve not forgotten our purpose. Our associates are committed to making this the best company by providing superior products and services for customers. With so many changes on the technology side, it’s a fascinating time in our industry, and a flexible, evolving workforce is a competitive advantage. If you could change one thing about the media tech industry, what would it be? The demand for innovation is happening so quickly. I’m excited about our
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