Jun 23, 2022 | 2 min read

Vision and Transformational Change with Mike Kennedy

By: Patrick Emmons

Vision and Transformational Change with Mike Kennedy

It is all about the people, the process, and the technology for Mike Kennedy, VP of Technology, Enablement, and Strategy at CDW and U.S. Army veteran. Whether analyzing processes, recruiting and retaining great employees, and implementing new technologies, Mike is invested in holistic transformation.

In this episode, Mike Kennedy discusses the importance of “little i” innovation, motivating employees, and inclusion in decision-making. He shares insight into a VSOM approach and agile practices while diving into processes. Later in the episode, Mike reflects on hiring and training the right personnel, including military veterans, and connecting with talented people early in their careers.

  • (02:00) – People, process, and technology
  • (04:13) – Recruiting and retaining
  • (06:19) – VSOM
  • (08:50) – The nature of collaboration
  • (09:36) – SaaS solutions
  • (10:48) – “little i” innovation
  • (14:27) – Agile practices
  • (18:08) – Pushing down decision-making
  • (20:46) – Investing in early careers
  • (20:59) – Offering the right incentives
  • (26:34) – Working with veterans

About Our Guest

Mike Kennedy is the Vice President of Technology, Enablement, and Strategy at CDW. He holds an MBA from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has led strategic business planning at HERE Technologies and The Marketing Store. Mike served in the U.S. Army from 2000 to 2005 after receiving a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

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About Patrick Emmons

If you can’t appreciate a good sports analogy, movie quote, or military reference, you may not want to work with him, but if you value honesty, integrity, and commitment to improvement, Patrick can certainly help take your business or your career to the next level. “Good enough,” is simply not in his vernacular. Pat’s passion is for relentlessly pushing himself and others to achieve full potential. Patrick Emmons is a graduate of St. Norbert College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. Patrick co-founded Adage Technologies in 2001 and in 2015, founded DragonSpears as a spin-off dedicated to developing custom applications that improve speed, compliance and scalability of clients’ internal and customer-facing workflow processes. When he is not learning about new technology, running a better business, or becoming a stronger leader, he can be found coaching his kids’ (FIVE of them) baseball and lacrosse teams and praising his ever-so-patient wife for all her support.

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