Eric Platteau – A gourmand communicator
Eric is the communications chief of the SESAR Joint Undertaking
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I wanted to become a cook, a chef. I am quite a gourmet and greedy. It is also linked to a family habit of long and friendly family dinners. Everyone was and is still cooking in my family: grand-mothers, father, mother, sister, brother in law, etc. I was surrounded by gourmets! My specialty as Belgian is of course Chocolate cakes…
If it was not aviation, what moved you to become part of the aviation family?
A total coincidence. During my studies, I had to make a traineeship in a company and I managed to get a 6 weeks traineeship in the press office of SABENA, the former Belgian national airline. When I finished my studies in 1995, my ‘previous boss’ informed me that they were recruiting a French-speaking press officer. I was not totally interested as I wanted to go abroad to improve my language skills but I registered to do the recruitment tests. I thought that it was a good exercise for me as a fresh graduat. After the 3 rounds of tests, I was selected… and decided to join Sabena! Spokesman at 23 years old of a 12.000 employees company was an amazing challenge as you can imagine.
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
Even if I have spent 10 of my 15 years of career in air transport, I have learnt a lot in two other different sectors: telecommunications and the health care industry. As communication professional, your job is more or less generalist but the dynamics of the company or sector you are working in are quite different. Working for a mobile operator has been for instance extremely dense because it is a very competitive sector; you must react instantly with new ideas, innovative approach and being able to implement them on the spot.
Moreover, I have always tried to join a company at a moment where this company had to go through a major change because then communication matters a lot. For instance, I joined Orange when they launched their mobile network in Belgium. I went back to Brussels Airlines just after the bankruptcy of Sabena for its re-launch. I joined the SESAR Joint Undertaking at the very beginning when the launch needed to be supported by a distinctive communication dynamic.
What was the most significant event that influenced your professional life?
Actually, each time that I have changed jobs, it was always very stimulating: new faces, new company, new objectives, new communication style. In a way, this was the best way to evolve and to influence the way I approach communications. Most recently, I must admit that having joined the SESAR Joint Undertaking has been very significant for me. It is the first time that I am in such an organization, at mid-way between the European Air Transport sector and the European Institutions. I truly enjoye communicating in a complex environment. I can notice the impact of the communication activities; we get quite a lot of feedback. It is also new to me to be in close contact with staff from the European Commission, Parliament and other international institutions. At the SESAR JU, I have the impression that we have the advantages – without the inconvenience – of both worlds public & private: the long term approach/solidity/empowerment of the European public side and the dynamism/flexibility/results oriented approach of the private sector.
Was there a person who had a profound influence on your professional life?
Not just one person but many as I do like to listen to the experiences of my peers. I am a genuine networker looking to hear the latest case stories and trends about communication. I have met very interesting people specially recently in the digital communication area.
Was there a company which had a profound influence on your professional life?
The first one, definitely, Sabena. But this is now history… I found it personally a superb company with a great staff spirit. As it was my first job, I have discovered what a company was thanks to Sabena.
Was there a “Darth Vader” in your life that you needed to conquer?
Yes… obtaining a good article about SESAR on the Roger-Wilco blog. I am working on it but the editor is a challenging person…
If you had a second chance, would you try to avoid aviation as a career?
No certainly not! I love this sector: international, challenging, going through regular profound changes, vital for the economy, very nice people. I have travelled so much thanks to my jobs in aviation; a real pleasure.
Would you recommend aviation as a career to young people to-day?
Yes for sure because massive global aviation is quite recent; plenty of opportunities for international young graduates willing to travel the world.
What personal traits should they develop first and foremost?
End-user/passenger oriented, precision, pro-activeness, strong willingness.
What was the funniest, aviation related situation you can recall having been in?
When I was press officer at Sabena, we were often asked by the TVs to inform them when we had “unusual transport”. In the Cargo division, we were used to transporting animals for the Zoo of Antwerp. Once, we had some small crocodiles or alligators. A TV crew had arrived in the Cargo hangar. With a colleague of the cargo division, we showed the beasts. The cameraman needed more pictures so we slightly move the barrier and one small crocodile immediately escaped… So imagine me running after a small crocodile in a huge cargo hangar… well it is my colleague, used to such animals, who managed to find it and put it back at the right place! And the cameraman had fantastic images… but for a “funny TV best of”…
In conclusion?
I truly enjoy communicating because it is sharing, putting under the spotlights what my colleagues are doing. And there is a lot to come from my colleagues here at SESAR!
