Frédéric  Iselin

Age: 63

Emeritus Professor

How long at HEC Paris: 23 years

Education: PhD (management), EMBA, MS Innovation marketing

List of EMBA courses you currently teach: “Test Your Startup Project” (Specialization, Academic Director); Business Planning

LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when…. I did my EMBA. I realized how much a professor can make a difference.

What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? I’m focused on market research and value proposition.

If I weren’t a business school professor… I would be a drummer or a special forces soldier.

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? 

The mix between theory and practice, since I have been an entrepreneur for 15 years when I was younger.

One word that describes my first time teaching: impostor’s syndrome…

Professor I most admire and why: Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, for the strength of their concepts and the clarity of their publications. 

TEACHING

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? Their maturity and their sense of humor.

What is most challenging? Same answer as the previous question.

In one word, describe your favorite type of student: The challenging ones.

LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

What are your hobbies? Sport (tennis, running, yoga), reading, watching documentaries. 

How will you spend your summer? Same as previous.

Favorite place(s) to vacation: In the countryside of Southwest France.

Favorite book(s): Political, philosophical, and historical essays, especially about De Gaulle and World War 2.

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? The Godfather (all 3), for the actors, the movie sets, the music, the scenario.

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I’m very eclectic, but I especially like the voices (Sinatra, Tom Jones, Nina Simone) and the requiems.

REFLECTIONS

If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this… Focus on customers rather than shareholders.

In my opinion, companies, and organizations today need to do a better job at…  Revitalizing life at work, in particular by streamlining procedures and reporting. In a nutshell, more long-term vision.

I’m grateful for… my friends, mentors and teachers who, sometimes with vey few words, have made me aware of opportunities I did not fully understand, or avoided making bad decisions.