BROADCASTS.com

b'

About this Episode

From a geography degree to the head of corporate strategy, Dr. Warren Ritchie gives audiences a glimpse into his humble beginnings and vast array of experiences that led him on a storied career. Mentor and friend to show host, Gregg Garrett, for close to 20 years and co-author of Competing in the Connecting World, Ritchie discusses his experiences with industry disruption all the while addressing key concepts from the book. Wrapping up the podcast, Warren addresses the question of the importance of advisory colleagues versus outside council.

About Dr. Warren Ritchie

During his 30+ year career to date, Dr. Warren Ritchie has emerged as an expert in leading corporate transformation in private and public sector companies. His experience has been gained in the functional areas of corporate strategy, marketing, finance, sales and information technology.

Today, Warren is a Fellow at CGS Advisors\\u2019, a boutique strategy and innovation firm that readies clients for competing in the connecting world. Warren assists corporate leaders in being brave as well as advising clients on dynamic market issues and strategic changes necessary to grow. His areas of expertise focus on transformation related to corporate and business strategies, wrestling with the questions \\u201cwhat business are we in\\u201d, and \\u201chow do we compete\\u201d respectively.

Prior to working with CGS, Warren had a 24-year tenure with the Volkswagen Group of Companies where he held leadership positions in the United States, Canada and Argentina. For the majority of his career he has been a change agent, assigned to either initiate a new or transform an existing challenged function or department. He started his career in automotive by leading field sales and marketing organizations, eventually taking on \\u201cheadquarter\\u201d responsibilities in almost all functions outside of manufacturing. He led corporate strategy at VW in both Canada and the United States for years before moving to the IT department eventually becoming CIO. He continues to advise automotive clients applying his unique perspective of strategy and IT.

Show Highlights

7: 14\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How did Warren go from having a geography degree to the head of corporate strategy for one of the largest automotive corporations in the world?

8:58\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What was his motivation for participation in, book Competing in the Connecting World?

12:27 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He has had experience in many jobs, there seems to exist a pattern for change responsibility, is that the consistency you see in your own career?

14:15 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What is the \\u201cTransformation Framework\\u201d and what makes it unique?

18:30 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Talk about your personal experience in industry disruption, an experience that went well.

23:36 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Organizational Transformation, what are its biggest failures?

25:55\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Firm renewal, are even our larger firms set-up to experience this? \\xa0

28:28 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Change or die, this idea speaks to the death of a corporation - as Warren has lived this, what lessons did he learn about motivation? \\xa0

35:14\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ecosystem Commanders, what are they and why is this such a relevant concept in this Connected World?

47:55 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Who are Warren\\u2019s top 3 individuals that have been a part of his personal, virtual advisory board?

56:06 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Warren has done well, finding advisory colleagues. Thinking about this concept in terms of the Connected World and how industries are coming together along with the growth of ecosystem commanders, what will this look like in the next 30 years? \\xa0Will it be good enough to stick with your personal advisors or to seek outside council because of the connectivity?

\\xa0