5 Key Takeaways
Exclusive Video Interview with
Joe Pham, Chairman & CEO of QSC I Q-SYS
As technology continues to advance and promises to transform the audiovisual (AV) landscape, influential leaders will play a crucial role in shaping this new reality. Joe Pham, the Chairman and CEO QSC | Q-SYS stands out as one such influential leader.
AV Today had the privilege of sitting down with Joe Pham during his visit to the QSC Bangalore office in India to discuss his inspiring journey and his vision for the future of the AV industry.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview:
1. India presents great opportunity
“India is amazing. I love it every time I’m here,” Pham enthusiastically shares at the start of our interview. “The timeline for India becoming the third-largest GDP in the world is not far off. This presents tremendous opportunities for the AV industry,” he adds.
He emphasizes that India’s thriving economy and its rich talent pool create an ideal environment for multinational corporations to establish a presence. “Higher education, in particular, presents a remarkable opportunity. The modernization of universities, enhanced learning experiences, cross-border collaboration, and distance learning, all represent significant opportunities for AV,” he explains.
He also emphasizes the potential for AV to revolutionize the entertainment and hospitality sectors and the largely untapped market in smart spaces, buildings, and cities. “The proliferation of AV and its role in city planning and urban development, presents an exciting and significant opportunity for the industry; This is an opportunity India should seize.”
2. Organizations must adopt a full-stack AV platform
Pham underlines the critical need for organizations to adopt a platform-based approach, particularly in view of AI’s transformative impact across all industries. “In the AV industry specifically, organizations must adopt what I termed a full-stack AV platform.”
Pham believes that a full-stack AV platform offers numerous benefits, including the ability to harness data, leverage machine learning and AI to gain insights and enhance user experiences.
“However, to fully capitalize on this opportunity, you must have a full-stack platform with a robust ecosystem built around it. This begins with a thorough assessment of your AV systems, understanding that technology can enhance human connections, and partnering with a technology provider who has a clear vision for AI and its roadmap. This assessment is what ultimately leads to the development of a robust AV platform,” he explains.
Comparing the AV industry to the broader technology sector, where nearly 8 billion people carry
a consumer technology platform in their pockets, Pham points out that the AV industry has yet to reach that level of ubiquity. “But with the convergence of AV with AI, the industry will reach that milestone, and it will happen rapidly,” he predicts.
3. Accept the moment. Embrace the change
Pham draws a parallel between the current apprehension surrounding AI and the fears that accompanied earlier technological advancements, such as computers, airplanes, and automobiles. He notes that even bicycles were met with skepticism when first introduced.
“Humans naturally raise concerns for a change and its impact. However, I would encourage everyone to understand the emerging technology and to view the evolution within the AV industry with optimism. As technology advances rapidly, resisting it is not a viable strategy. Instead, we should embrace these changes allowing organizations to do the same,” he says. This approach aligns with the philosophical belief of living in the present moment, ” Pham adds. He shares his experience of discovering yoga and how it changed his life. “Yoga has made me calmer, teaching me to be more present with employees and the world, and it makes you better in whatever profession you are in.”
He further emphasizes that every organization has bright minds who are eager to grow. “We should amplify those minds by fostering a culture of continuous learning, and empowering employees to be influential and make an impact within the organization, whether in AV or other areas of productivity.”
4. Follow your passion
Pham recollects his past and tells us how his passion for music played a pivotal role in his journey to becoming the Chairman and CEO of QSC | Q-SYS.
Reminiscing about growing up listening to Rush and Led Zeppelin and learning the guitar through classic rock, Pham says, “I’ve always been around music.” After completing his studies at UCLA, he began his career at McKinsey & Company. However, he made the bold decision to leave without having another job lined up. “Most people won’t do that, but I wanted to follow my passion and be closer to music products, audio, AV, and entertainment. I’ve always liked being in that environment, whether going to a concert or playing an instrument and just tweaking and playing with gear. That’s how I found my way into the AV industry. I was incredibly fortunate to meet the founders of QSC and then joined the organization about 20 years ago,” he adds.
He expresses his gratitude for the way his passions have aligned with his career. “I’m fortunate that a kid passionate about music grew up wanting to join the industry just to be closer to the gear and then followed the technology route. I feel incredibly grateful that my two passions have intersected, and I’m thrilled to be part of this industry,” he adds
5. We are uniquely positioned to create value for enterprises, people, and the world
Pham emphasizes that the convergence of AV and AI will revolutionize the industry and create significant value for many. “The only way to unlock the potential of our industry, elevate joy across the world, connect human beings, and deliver better outcomes for enterprises and everyone is to leverage technology. This intersection of technology and AV is, in essence, what I talked about at InfoComm 2024.”
He is confident that our industry is meant to take advantage of this AI moment.
“I’ve talked about the importance of sight and sound many times, but the AI moment is also about the treasure trove of data we have as an industry. By harnessing this data and the power of AI in a full stack AV platform, we as an industry can elevate our value to enterprises, governments, institutions, and across every vertical we deliver our solutions in”.
In conclusion, Pham shares one key message: “Be inspired by the value our industry can create at the intersection of AV and AI.” He highlights how our industry is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this moment, not just commercially but also by making a positive impact on the world. “Whether you’re a creator, an engineer, or anything in between, the industry has a role for you. I hope we continue to attract and inspire a generation of folks to join this amazing industry and, akin to yoga, enjoy the moment and the process.”
