There is not any single path that enterprise executives journey. The greatest managers have important expertise that’s then honed to a nice edge by coaching, expertise and a willingness to take up new challenges. Employers contribute vastly to the method, after all, and it’s tough to think about an organization that does a greater job of recognizing, coaching and advancing new leaders than IBM.
I lately had an opportunity to interview Stephen Leonard, General Manager of IBM’s Cognitive Systems the place he’s answerable for the event, gross sales and advertising and marketing of the corporate’s Power Systems options, in addition to choices for cloud computing platforms and knowledge facilities. Our dialogue lined a variety of points and occasions which have coloured Leonard’s 30+ years with IBM.
Q: How did you first develop into interested by computing and dealing within the IT trade?
Stephen Leonard: I used to be born and raised in Scotland. My curiosity in expertise began early with math, which finally led me to computer systems. I maintain a BSC diploma in utilized physics and electronics from Dundee University, graduating in 1989.
Q: How did your profession at IBM start?
Leonard: I began with the corporate in 1990 as a technical teacher in London. Over time, I progressed into international, regional, and nation management roles, overseeing enterprise divestitures, acquisition integration and turn-around enterprise development efforts.
Q: When did you develop into concerned in IBM’s Power Systems group?
Leonard: In 2006, I used to be named VP of worldwide gross sales for Power Systems and held that function for practically three years earlier than changing into VP of IBM gross sales in North America. In 2010, I returned to the UK as chief government of IBM United Kingdom and Ireland, the place I used to be answerable for all sides of the corporate’s enterprise, together with technique, gross sales and expertise improvement. I additionally served as chairman of IBM United Kingdom and Ireland.
Q: Sounds like plenty of shifting round. How did you come to your present function within the Power Systems group?
Leonard: In 2013, I used to be named GM of Global Markets for IBM’s Systems and Technology Group. Then in 2016, I turned GM of IBM North America the place I oversaw gross sales of {hardware}, software program and consultative providers and operations P&L (revenue and loss) which represent 40% of the corporate’s international revenues. During that point, I additionally carried out the restructuring of our go-to-market technique round agile programs that deal with shoppers’ data-driven IT necessities. In April 2019, I used to be named GM of IBM’s Cognitive Systems Division the place I’m answerable for the event, gross sales and advertising and marketing of the corporate’s multi-billion-dollar Power Systems franchise, in addition to associated choices for cloud computing and on premises knowledge facilities.
Q: Your 30+ years at IBM has spanned quite a few outstanding modifications, from the corporate’s essential assist for Linux/open supply within the 1990s to IBM Watson’s debut on Jeopardy! to the rise of enterprise hybrid cloud and…
