Etienne Pollard, business analyst, McKinsey & Company

Hearing Richard Stallman talk about the free software movement in 1997 showed me how open systems could change the world, confirming my choice to study technology at university. Years later, a friend at McKinsey told me they were helping clients gain value through technology, so I decided my skills could help make big differences for large organisations.

Technology in the next ten years

Feather-light laptops with constant network access, even on planes, and eternal batteries. Anything that makes travelling more productive and creates more leisure time has to be good!

Key skills and advice for graduates

Listening skills are one of the most important business tools. A fully-attentive listener encourages the speaker, while absorbing the information proffered. They get the most from interactions by asking pertinent questions in a way to which the speaker reacts favourably.