Voices of TBAuctions: Integrity and Teamwork
Welcome to Voices of TBAuctions, an interview series spotlighting the people behind Europe’s leading multi-brand B2B digital auction platform. Through candid conversations with our leaders and team members, we explore who they are, their experiences, insights, and the passion that drives our success.
We are excited to highlight Isabelle Grange, Commercial Director at France Médical Enchères (FME), a brand part of TBAuctions. She is based in Lyon and has been with the company for more than two years. You can watch the video above or, if you prefer, read the full interview below!
What’s a typical day like for you as a Commercial Director at FME?
My days usually start very early in the morning, so I have a quiet time to myself to organise my day and be as efficient as I can. It helps me plan my To Do List for the day, which includes three parts. Firstly, I focus on my team because I spend a lot of time with them every day, sharing my expertise and knowledge. It is all about giving them the proper support to close their deal, helping them achieve their figures, and making sure our strategy is followed through with actions. Then the second part of my day will be dedicated to my own personal business, my contribution to the overall business of FME, which consists of developing customer relationships and partnerships, including non-private-clinic and public-hospital partnerships. And the last part of the day is dedicated to everything else that helps with sales and beyond. So it is every day: a lot of customer meetings, and a lot of internal meetings. And my day usually ends with a phone call with our CEO to share the day’s important news. So I’m not getting bored at all.
What made you decide to join FME?
I have been working in pre-owned equipment for over 15 years. I have really appreciated contributing to the circular economy. It has been out of question that I would ever leave this field. It is one of the main reasons I joined FME. Also, I knew Jean-Pierre Cardoso, CEO of FME, earlier. We were competitors. Yet, in this business, you can be both competitors and partners. I really appreciate him; he has extensive business experience. He is very open to sharing ideas with us. I was sure I could still learn from him, and that’s very important to me. Therefore, I joined the team. And the last reason is being part of a challenge, because I really enjoy feeling included in something where I can help build what we need.
What does success mean to you, in your current role and beyond?
In my role, the goal is to reach my targets. It would mean my strategy was good. For me, success is not only about achieving our targets. It also means having a motivated, high-performing team that feels supported and is genuinely happy to come into the office each morning. It may sound simple, but it also matters to me that my boss is satisfied with my work. To me, that’s a sign that I am meeting expectations and fulfilling my responsibilities, and that is an integral part of what makes me feel successful. Last but not least, I need to wake up every morning with a smile, and I need to be happy to come to the office to open my computer, call customers, and work with my team. So all of this, all this mix, represents success for me.
What’s your favorite thing about your team?
What I appreciate most about my team is the way we work together. We have many open discussions, and everyone contributes their ideas and strengths. I really value this constant interaction and knowledge-sharing. We celebrate our successes together, but we also talk honestly about the challenges and setbacks. That’s what teamwork is about, and it’s what I appreciate most about being part of this team.
What’s the best compliment you have received from a teammate?
The best compliment I have received from one of my teammates is about my integrity. Integrity is very important to me, first because it is one of my personal values, and second because it is something I need in my job to make some decisions. I need to fix the strategies. I do not act a certain way because of who someone is, whether it is you, her, or him. I act this way because it is the right way to do things: fair, loyal, and grounded in honesty and integrity. Those principles guide all my decisions. That’s why it meant a lot when a teammate noticed this and told me how much she appreciated it.
What activities help you stay balanced and fulfilled outside of your professional life?
There are a lot of things that helped me maintain the right balance between my professional and private life. Sports are a big one. I train two to three times a week, and it also gives me the chance to meet up with friends. I have two sons, now 26 and 29. Even though they have moved out, I really value the time my husband and I spend with them. Keeping that family connection is important to us, so every two years we plan a trip or a weekend away together. We have travelled to New York, visited Norway, and this year we are planning to spend Christmas in Réunion Island. I also enjoy gardening and cooking for friends. Altogether, these activities help me stay grounded, fulfilled, and balanced.
