When I joined the Original Equipment Manufacture team at Microsoft as the Senior Business Manager, you were the CVP. As I had the opportunity to get to know you, I appreciated the genuine honestly and respect you showed others. That, combined with your sense of humor were welcome additions to many of the CxO stereotypes seen in today’s workforce. Your attitude of “get ‘er done” and entrusting people to do just that was inspirational. Working with you, albeit a short time (you left to take on the role of SVP and President of the Americas for Lenovo), reinforced the willingness to seek out others who need help within our communities, be perpetually inclusive, and have fun. I am pleased to have been able to call you a friend while following your career. Your many positive attributes, as shared here, could be emulated by others, especially in our current world climate.
Your career has spanned a number of divergent and ever-changing industries in major Fortune 500 companies over the past 20+ years.
While serving in either a CEO, CVP or CFO role you have worked with the Walt Disney Company, Microsoft, Lenovo, Outerwall, and now in your current role as CFO at FabFitFun. (I LOVE my seasonal box!) Which career opportunity provided you with the biggest challenge and why? Which company provided the most personal satisfaction and why?
My career has definitely been diverse and ever-changing, which makes it difficult to determine a single ‘biggest challenge” or company where I found the most personal satisfaction. But regardless of the size, they all presented challenges and opportunities for me. Some more than others, of course. One of my most exciting, and challenging career moves was within Microsoft. Transitioning from Corporate Controller to leading the OEM division was a huge change. Thankfully, Microsoft’s leadership team and exceptional OEM team were immediately accepting and open to my move, making it as seamless as possible. While my background at the time had focused primarily on the financial aspect of companies, I didn’t hesitate to jump into my new role, determine/recognize the immediate needs. Leading the OEM team to target piracy reduction, igniting innovation in design in the PC industry and launching new products across Windows, Server, Mobile and Office was both challenging and satisfying. From a personal perspective I really enjoyed working with our teams, seeing the team and leaders grow and move into new positions and building strong diversity and inclusion environments for all team members.
When I joined the Microsoft Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) team, you were the Corporate Vice-President (CVP) of the OEM group. My first week with the team was spent at a sales planning meeting in Las Vegas. One of the most amazing things you implemented during this offsite was a “day of caring” in which our entire team worked in a variety of areas across the city of Las Vegas. (For example, I worked at the Goodwill Headquarter collection site and I sorted shoes for the day.) Your passion for community giving was very evident in the planning process of this offsite. Why is giving back so important to you?
We are fortunate to be working and have opportunities, not everyone in our society has those same opportunities. I think it is important to contribute positively to the community. When I started my professional career our office managing partner met with the new hires and told us to find something we are interested in the community and make a difference (at first by donating time etc.); that stuck with me. By doing a day of caring we not only give back but also expose our team to organizations that they can contribute to thus extending the impact.
What are the best and worst parts of being a CFO and why?
I enjoy being CFO. What is great is the ability to help the company develop and implement strategy and then breaking that down into executable component parts that our teams understand and drive. It is really about empowering our teams and seeing the awesome things they can do.
You have long valued diversity and inclusion (D&I) as evidenced by your hiring practices. It can be a challenge to get companies wholly on board with D&I. What do you find to be the most difficult part for companies to implement a companywide D&I program? What best practices can you share?
Usually it is awareness of the need to be proactive in bringing diversity and inclusion to the forefront. Once the team knows they are empowered to build a program, they lead the company to a better awareness across the variety of ways to make the company more inclusive. Focus is key to being successful, have a vision of where you want the company to get to and build out stages that are attainable and build on each other, don’t try to get the vision in one step.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? Why?
Fortunate. I have an awesome family and have been fortunate in working with outstanding people at great companies.
Technology is one of my favorite things and I know you enjoy it as well. However, it’s something that many people struggle to integrate into their lives. What types of technology do you use on a personal level? What one technology do you wish you never had to use again?
I use all the standard technology that one would think of, however, don’t do a lot of social media or use Alexa type solutions. My wife, Shara, is the true technologist in the family ?
We all have accomplishments and “opportunities for learning”. Many times, we focus too much on the opportunity for learning and don’t dwell long enough on our accomplishments. Each has the potential to provide future career growth. What has been your biggest business accomplishment? Was it repeatable and if so, what did you do to ensure it was implemented with future opportunities? What was your biggest opportunity for learning and how have you leveraged it in your career?
Building great teams by setting clear direction and accountabilities and empowering the team to drive the business. At each company I have worked replicating this model has yielded creative and game changing ideas that helped make the businesses successful even in the face of tough challenges.
You’re a complex businessperson with many layers. As a business leader you realize the value of brevity. If you were to write your autobiography what would your opening sentence say and why? And what would your closing sentence say?
I have been incredibly fortunate. I am a fortunate person with the love of my life, Shara, and our children, Justin, Paige and Jake.
Character is all important. How would you describe your character? How do you see character showing up in the workplace?
I believe I try to give respect to everyone and have fun.
Character is important in the workplace and is the cornerstone of any company’s culture. Character means listening, understanding each other’s views and stepping up to help others.
Most of us have a slightly different personality at work vs. at home. What are you really like outside of work? What would your wife and kids say you are really like?
At work we like to have fun within the framework of the strategy we are executing to, at home tend to be a bit more spontaneous in what happens during the day including having fun.
What is a misconception that people have about CxO’s? What do you wish employees would do differently in their approach to the CxO role?
People tend to think CxO’s should or do have all the answers, when in reality the teams have the answers and it is our role to set clear direction and empower the teams to make decisions and execute. As for approach, we should all interact as part of the team. Teams have leaders but those leaders should act and be part of the team.
Who is the most inspirational person (not famous) you have met in your career? How do or did they inspire you?
So many people have made an impact and inspired me throughout my career including my mom and pop, who taught me the value of hard work; my wife, who has the ability to cut through complex issues to simplify them while understanding people and their feelings; James Pinckney who leads teams through empathy, inspiration and high accountability and Vince Benstead, who was office managing partner at Price Waterhouse when I started who taught the value of teamwork in business and the importance of giving back to your community.
Knowing what you do today, what advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Focus on doing what you love, listen to understand (I still need to do that), have fun!
If you were a superhero what would your superpower be and would you wear a cape?
Deadpool…and no cape as Deadpool does not have a cape!
What are three key pieces of advice you have for today’s job seekers?
Not sure these are all that insightful but:
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- Be targeted in your search on role first then company. Many times you will find out companies you don’t think you will like are different than advertised.
- When you get an interview, even on video, look at your interviewer in the eyes, show interest and listen.
- Do research on the company, role and culture and ask questions to learn more about the company. Sounds obvious but will be impactful.
What are the top 1-5 things that you are looking forward to in 2020?
- End of Covid-19 restrictions.
- Significant reduction in video conference calls.
- Spending more time with family and friends.
- Vegas Golden Knights winning Stanley Cup and Las Vegas Raiders Season!
Please include any sources that people can use to purchase from you or connect with you.
- FabFitFun.com
- scott.div@fabfitfun.com
