TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER & TECHNOLOGY GEEK WITH MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
This self-proclaimed geek combines his technology-obsessed passion with industry experience in technology, partnerships and business development to create profitable and engaging capabilities for clients around the world. He is currently a subject matter expert and key team member developing relevant, efficient, and forward-thinking healthcare, life science and consumer solutions for IBM. Before his work at IBM, Rodney built a reputation at Best Buy for integrating new technologies and approaches to business that served as the foundation of some of the company’s most celebrated successes, including Geek Squad and Best Buy Mobile.
His successes are based upon collaboration, cross-functionality, trusted relationships with vendors and teams, and an understanding of sales trends and customer behaviors. He demonstrates agility and expertise by quickly building best-in-class customer experiences and strategies — ultimately strengthening businesses in ever-changing marketplaces. He’s an innovative business strategist who is not afraid of asking hard questions, and is known for successfully executing integrated strategy efficiently and thoroughly (including Boots, HP, Samsung, Apple, and eBay). This savvy business development expert with solid relational skills regularly exceeds organizational and financial objectives while developing, implementing, and sustaining long-term product, service, and brand strategies.
Select Experience
IBM Healthcare & Life Sciences Innovation - Opportunity Development
Part of a rapid response team focused on return-to-work and travel initiatives leveraging Digital Health Pass, an IBM blockchain platform for triage of COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, and digital verification. Responsibilities include development of go-to market, sales, and execution in an ever-evolving environment (most clients requiring less than three weeks to go live). Successful client engagements include SAFE Health, Soter Technologies, Syracuse University, and JetBlue.
Apple + IBM Partnership - Global Consumer Leader
Voice of the Apple + IBM partnership for the Consumer Industry (Retail & Consumer Products) by evangelizing the possibilities to transform the way work gets done at keynote events (Including CES, NRF, Apple in Cupertino, Milan, New York, and London) and through other external public relations awareness opportunities in the media. Visionary responsible for a portfolio of technology assets bringing this vision to life.
Client Transformation Success Stories:
•City Furniture - Cut shopping time in half. 17% average order value increase, 32% Service warranty sales increase, 60% decrease in discounts, 80% reduction in new hire onboarding
•Pets at Home - 2% Store revenue increase
•Coca-Cola Amatil - 10% site time reduction, 20% increase in productivity, 10% reduced repeat site visits
Best Buy Mobile - Engagement and Platform Leader
Given the mission to leverage existing assets in new ways to drive incremental market share outside of core Best Buy business. Generated new revenue streams through a white-labeled multi-channel sales platform for companies looking to offer mobile phones and other products to their valuable customer bases. Developed and managed key relationships with high-value partners including manufacturers (OEMs), marketplaces, affiliates, and Best Buy sub-brands - sites for Samsung, eBay (exclusive activated handset provider for their marketplace), HP (business device activation platform), RewardZone (exclusive sales and trade-in offers; pre-sale availability of high-demand products including Apple devices). Directed marketing and pricing strategies, day-to-day business operations, and P&L of tens of millions in revenue. Responsible for effective planning, delegating, coordinating, staffing, organizing, and decision-making to surpass organizational sales goals.
Drove 40% in-store pick-up sales increase at Best Buy Mobile locations leveraging this new commerce marketplace.
Best Buy / Geek Squad Online - Platform Leader
Principal for the Online Consumer Experience for the Best Buy services brand, Geek Squad, including GeekSquad.com, Online Support Services, and all other online assets. Responsibilities spanned all aspects of online business management and development – including strategic planning, business modeling, agency management, and platform evolution. Launched new online services support business leveraging best-in-class service experience (for both consumer and employee). Turned-around the business from a -43% monthly net operating profit (NOP) to a NOP in excess of 30%, all while creating an award-winning experience, including Laptop Magazine best online support experiences (Feb 2010); internally recognized twice (Chairman’s Innovation Award ) for creating unique, profitable, and innovative business opportunities and solutions in 2009 and 2010.