Meet Laurent Bailleul, Project Manager II at PROS, and proud dad of three! ❤️
Laurent leads CPQ implementation projects from kickoff to delivery, ensuring each initiative meets scope, quality, and budget expectations. He has managed more than 60 CPQ projects across various industries and continents, drawing on his deep technical expertise and customer focus to guide teams toward success.
Let’s get to know Laurent!
Tell us about your journey to PROS.
I was hired as the first CPQ consultant for a company named Cameleon, which was later acquired by PROS in November 1995. At the time, there were just six of us on the CPQ team, and a few of them are still here with me today! From 1997 onwards, I was in charge of international projects and in 1999, I was offered an expatriate role in Melbourne to support our customers in Australia and New Zealand. During those five years, I learned a lot while wearing many hats (pre-sales, sales, IC, PM, CSO, and support). Since 2005, I’ve focused on project management and led major implementations for companies all over the world!
What do you enjoy most about working at PROS?
In the last 30 years, I must have led around 60 CPQ implementations. Each has been unique and different from the last. With each project, you have to envision yourself in a new business and become somewhat of an expert in your clients’ industry: cranes, smart cards, doors, gas meters, petrol pumps, packaging, industrial fans, telephony, forklifts, health insurance—you name it. It’s a bit like changing roles with each project.
I’ve also seen the evolution of our work here at PROS. From manufacturing-focused projects to service-oriented ones, the acquisition of Cameleon and its professionalization of our service organization, the shift to Cloud, and now the post-COVID “Teams” era, where most customer collaboration happens virtually.
Tell us about a cool project you are working on.
As a bakery manufacturer specializing in croissants and baguettes, Bridor might not sound “cool” at first, but it’s a very challenging fixed-fee project with a lot of discussions around customer expectations. Those of us working with them are a team of eight, and everyone is giving their best effort, which I find makes the process more enjoyable and extremely rewarding in the end!
What do you do outside of work to recharge?
My family and I are lucky to live in the southeast of France, one of the sunniest regions in the country. The Mediterranean beaches are only 20 minutes away, and there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails nearby. We also love to travel and recently, visited Malta, Tenerife, and Greece.
I enjoy cooking, especially Thai food. To stay in shape, I swim regularly and have been practicing Krav Maga for the past four years.
What are you a PRO at?
I’m a proud Papounet (daddy dear) of three daughters and I’d say I’m a PRO at it! Noémie, 26, is studying to become a medical doctor. Cécile, 24, graduated from the prestigious Arts et Métiers engineering school and now works for EDF. Julie, 22, is studying at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
In 2015, I joined the Accelerate Program led by a former PROS colleague, named Martin. The training, books, and discussions were all excellent, but what stayed with me most was Martin’s reminder of our crucial role in building strong relationships with customers and representing PROS with professionalism and integrity.
Want to join our growing team?
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