Empowering People to Make a Difference!
Have you ever felt the desire to make a positive impact on the world? Maybe you’ve dreamed of changing lives for the better or contributing to a cause that is bigger than yourself. It’s a powerful feeling and one that inspires many to seek out ways to give back. For some, this drive to help others become a lifelong pursuit, shaping the way they live their lives and the work they do.
That’s certainly true for Jessica, an individual who is passionate about making a difference.
For Jessica Keogh, the values of hard work, dedication, compassion, and family have been ingrained in her from a young age. Growing up in a close-knit family in regional Victoria, Australia, she learned the importance of supporting each other and providing opportunities for success.
Her parents’ successful hardware, fencing, and steel company was a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they passed on those values to Jessica and her siblings. Jessica went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business and built a successful career in private practice, specializing in employment, safety, and industrial relations law.
But it was meeting Navin Vij, an aspiring entrepreneur, that changed the course of Jessica’s career. Navin convinced her to leave the law firm and join him at Parabellum International, the largest and most rewarding decision she has made to date.
Currently, Jessica holds the position of COO at Parabellum International. With Navin’s entrepreneurial spirit and Jessica’s experience and drive, they have built a thriving and truly motivational company centered around their core values of aiding people and giving back to society. The company has emerged as a positive influence in the world as a result of their combined efforts.
In this magazine cover story, we delve into the life and work of Jessica Keogh, exploring her journey from a successful lawyer to a dedicated leader at Parabellum International. Discover how her upbringing and family legacy has influenced her work and how she and Navin are making a real difference in the world, one day at a time.
Join us as we explore the passion, dedication, and compassion that drives Jessica and Parabellum International and how their work is creating a brighter future for people in need around the world!
From Lawyer to Entrepreneur
Jessica was raised in Bendigo, a town located in regional Victoria, Australia. She grew up in a large and close family, with her parents at the helm of a thriving Hardware, Fencing, and Steel business. Her parents have always been committed to providing opportunities for Jessica and her siblings and have taught them the importance of hard work, dedication, compassion, and family from a young age. These values are evident in everything that Jessica does. Jessica is a qualified lawyer, having earned both a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Business. She has spent the majority of her career working in private practice, specializing in employment, safety, and industrial relations law.
While working at a law firm, she discovered a passion for her career. It was during this time that she met Navin Vij, an aspiring entrepreneur who had built a small company. Navin convinced her to leave the law firm and join him at Parabellum International, which turned out to be the largest and most rewarding decision she had made. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family provided her with the necessary experience and drive to establish her family legacy.
Working with Navin to create a vibrant and inspiring company was and still is exciting for her. Helping people is one of her core values, which is amplified through Parabellum International.
Observing their community creating a positive impact in the world daily is the driving force behind their actions. Having been fortunate enough to have outstanding guides throughout her existence, she firmly advocates for paying it forward. Assisting others to better themselves is what makes the world a better place, and that is the objective of Parabellum International.
Trusted Partner in High-Risk Environments
Parabellum International is an acclaimed worldwide provider of Emergency Response, Medical, Risk Management, and Training Services. With a strong presence in both onshore and offshore industries such as Oil, Gas, Mining, Resources, Energy, Waste, Defence & Construction, Parabellum International possesses unmatched expertise operating in high-risk and remote environments. Clients can benefit from Parabellum International’s range of services which includes Fire Fighting & Emergency Response Services, Frontline Medical Services, Health, Safety & Emergency Management Services, Emergency and Medical Vehicle and Equipment Hire, Sales, Manufacturing & Maintenance, as well as Emergency Response, Medical, and Safety Training.
It offers a distinct service delivery that encompasses all aspects of the service, which are provided internally. This includes personnel, vehicles, equipment, plans, procedures, and ongoing management of the service. The company has extensive experience in supporting and operating on the largest major infrastructure and resources projects globally, forming long-term partnerships. When clients ask for Parabellum, they can expect to receive exceptional service. Parabellum prides itself on delivering tailored solutions that provide “Measurable Value” to its clients. The company has built a reputation for providing high-quality, reliable, and effective solutions.
Legal Expertise in Executive Excellence
Having a legal education provides an adaptable set of skills that can be efficiently employed in different business environments. For Jessica, her legal background has been instrumental in her professional growth to a Chief Operating Officer role, where having the capability to make knowledgeable judgments is crucial. Her legal training has honed her analytical abilities and taught her how to utilize them in practical commercial scenarios. These skills have proven to be invaluable in her current position, where she depends on them to evaluate information and make sound decisions on a regular basis.
Surviving the High-Pressure Industry
Today, technology has become an inseparable part of every industry, playing a critical role in propelling growth and development across all sectors. For industries that operate in high-pressure, real-time situations where risk is a constant factor, the adoption and utilization of cutting-edge technology can mean the difference between life and death. As a leader in such an industry, it is essential to stay abreast of the rapidly-changing environment and discern the most effective technologies to implement at the right time. It’s important to note that technology can never replace the invaluable expertise and knowledge of professional emergency services personnel.
The role of technology in the industry is to support professionals in performing their jobs with greater effectiveness and efficiency. Although technology can assist in decision-making, it cannot substitute for the compassion and dedication of those who work in this field. As a leader, Jessica acknowledges the indispensable contribution of these experts and their critical role in preserving human life. Therefore, a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology and the personal touch that distinguishes this industry must be maintained.
Power of Innovation
Innovation possesses the capability to revolutionize whole industries, as it stems from the necessity to enhance, troubleshoot, and establish novel prospects. Jessica, as a leader, advocates for a culture that nurtures a pioneering mindset and questions the current state of affairs. By creating an environment that promotes the expression of ideas and constructive discussions, innovation becomes a natural response to the difficulties encountered while providing crucial services in real-time. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that innovation alone does not ensure success. It is the individuals who adopt and apply it that make the distinction.
The core of a thriving organization lies in its personnel, who possess the essential skills and expertise to translate ground-breaking concepts into practical actions. These individuals serve as the catalyst for unleashing the complete potential of any innovation, and it is their unwavering commitment and diligence that enables the organization to surpass expectations. Encouraging a culture of innovation is crucial in empowering employees to reach their full potential and provide unparalleled service to clients. As a team, they can spearhead revolutionary progress and construct a better future for themselves and those they serve.
Navigating Risky and Remote Environments
The proficiency of Parabellum International in maneuvering through hazardous and isolated areas has earned the company a solid reputation. Their accomplished track record is attributed to the commitment and competence of their teams. Oftentimes, these teams are stationed thousands of kilometers away from urban assistance, thereby necessitating the need for unwavering belief in their training and abilities to execute their operations with optimal proficiency and productivity.
Parabellum International places great importance on investing in the training and development of its personnel. To this end, they have created a Registered Training Organization (RTO) that equips individuals with the necessary foundation skills and professional development required to operate in even the most challenging environments. This unwavering dedication to excellence in training and skills development has helped Parabellum International establish itself as a leading-class provider of Emergency Response and Medical Services that operate with agility on a global scale.
The team at Parabellum International understands the importance of establishing trust when it comes to saving lives. They recognize that their ability to provide exceptional service is critical to achieving this trust. Their dedication to excellence permeates every aspect of their mission-critical execution. As a result, they have built a reputable name for themselves within the industry, creating new opportunities for growth and expansion. Passionate about their work, the team at Parabellum International prides itself on operating in even the most challenging environments. Their commitment to continuous training and skills development, coupled with their persistent focus on service delivery, has been the driving force behind their success. They are confident that their reputation as a globally recognized and agile provider of emergency response and medical services will continue to flourish. Above all, they remain committed to serving their clients and communities for years to come.
Best-in-Class People and Family Values
Jessica believes that the key factor that sets Parabellum International apart from others, be it an individual or an organization, “People, ‘Best in Class’ people. You can have the best systems and the best IP, but if you do not believe in your greatest asset, then you can never truly be a leader in this industry. People are the foundation upon which success is built, they are the pathway to the creation of real value for your clients, and they are brand ambassadors amongst their peers, invest in them!..”
One of the fundamental values that distinguishes this company in the industry is its commitment to treating each other like family. Jessica strongly believes in this value, and as a leader, she recognizes that every decision she makes has the potential to impact a member of her operational family. This realization forces her to carefully consider the consequences of every decision, no matter how small. By hiring individuals who also prioritize family values and institutionalizing this mindset within the company culture, everyone is encouraged to act with integrity towards their colleagues every day and in every task they undertake. In Jessica’s experience, it is naive to attribute a company’s success solely to machines or capital. Instead, she views companies as living organisms that require nurturing and care in order to achieve enduring success.
Power of Collaboration, Communication, and Congratulations in Leadership
As a leader, it’s important to collaborate, communicate, and congratulate. You should never act like an island and always remember that the reason you employ people is to bring a diversity of thinking, culture, and motivations. Seek counsel with your teams as widely as possible before committing to action. This ensures that when you make a decision, your team understands the context and takes ownership of the action. While it may be tempting to simply act and decide, this approach rarely creates success that the whole team can take credit for. As someone who has moved into a COO role from General Counsel and a prior career as a lawyer, I have structure and process indoctrinated into my approach to daily tasks. This has translated into our culture and ensures that collaboration is the norm, not the exception.
Expert Advice
If you are contemplating starting a venture in the emergency services sector, her suggestion is to carry out a comprehensive market analysis and grasp the industry’s importance to peoples’ lives. This domain involves dealing with real lives and households, making it crucial to perform your proper research and guarantee that you are fully equipped.
It cannot be emphasized enough how crucial it is to have an exceptional team to achieve success. As the COO of a prominent emergency services corporation, she has noticed that new entrants in the field tend to overlook the importance of conducting an honest self-evaluation of their reasons for joining. One must genuinely care for individuals, whether they are staff members, clients, or patients, and be driven to fulfill their commitments to them daily.
Scaling Your Core Value Proposition
Ensuring that your core value proposition is scalable within the industry is of the utmost importance. To achieve scalability, it is essential to gain insights into the challenges faced by clients and tailor your strategies accordingly. By understanding your market and engaging with clients, you can position yourself for success. Parabellum’s focus and strategy for 2023 will be on the continued development of their remote area operational capabilities, expanding their presence in the global industry, and further supporting the Resources, Government & Defence sectors. Their strength lies in delivering critical services to remote areas, which they use as a model to enter new markets. However, they exercise caution when venturing into new markets and prioritize adjacent opportunities with similarities to their primary markets to avoid diluting their focus and distracting from their overall strategy.
Raving Reviews and Impressive Accolades
https://www.apacoutlookmag.com/company-profiles/572-parabellum-international
Parabellum’s Guiding Principles
Parabellum’s foundation rests on a set of guiding principles known as our core values. These values serve as a reflection of how our company operates and how our team conducts themselves on a daily basis.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND: Going above and beyond by striving to be the best that we can be, challenging the status quo.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Making a difference – in the lives of others, each other, and those we impact.
TRANSPARENCY: We tell it like it is, even if the message is difficult to deliver; we tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
FAMILY: We look after each other and our clients. We are inclusive and respect others with an open-door approach.
AGILITY: We make things happen, acting quickly without compromising our standards and thinking outside the norm to solve a problem.
