Finding Your Launching Point (wsg Sean Kramer)

During this episode, You, Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Sean Kramer, CIO at SiteOne Landscape Supply about recognizing opportunity while it is still happening. He discusses his career journey that has taken him from a mid-level IT leader to CIO through 25+ acquisitions and a move from private company to IPO. Of course he speaks about his Top Three who have helped him along this journey including his spouse, private equity advisor who helped him grow from industry to industry, and CEO and business unit leads who have taught him how to lead beyond his function. And you have to hear what he has to say about getting out of technology to drive communication in leadership. About Sean Kramer Sean Kramer is a senior executive who leads digital transformation through innovative technologies and data analytics and is personally invested in translating business demands into supportable and strategic IT solutions. In his current role as Chief Information Officer at SiteOne Landscape Supply, he has the opportunity to define the IT vision and strategy as well as to lead large, multi-functional teams through implementation. What he enjoys most is leveraging versatile knowledge and experience across Information Technology, Finance, Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, HR and Operations to transform and deliver business results. He is also deeply involved in the industry and earned Georgia’s CIO of the Year ORBIE Award in 2018 as well as the ATP Leadership Award in 2017. Additionally, he serves on several industry boards as well as the Advisory Board for Inspiredu of Atlanta, a national education nonprofit that strengthens the triangle of learning relationships between students, teachers, and families to ensure every child excels. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview 1:03      The Story Arch: purpose to drive or effect change 2:35      “Another thing that has an arch or narrative to it is a career journey” 4:16      Sean Kramer: cool, calm, calculated and the guy who is always looking ahead Segment 2: The “Top Three” 5:50      Sean’s story began in automotive and landed in green industry 9:00      A story arch that included a shift from stabilization to a digital strategy roadmap 13:25   Sean’s “Top Three” begins with his wife, Brandy Kramer, who helped him be brave, courageous and bold in the decision making process of moving industries 16:49   Sean’s “Top Three” continues with his ‘influencer’, John Seral, who sold the role and set expectations as well as served as catalyst to building relationships 25:07   Sean’s “Top Three” also includes his boss, Doug Black, who emphasizes keeping the mission in the forefront and following Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People   36:35   Sean reflects on needing to pause energy on various technologies to focus on stability  40:32  Sean’s “Top Three” rounds out with, Matt Hart who’s an excellent leader of people and encourages him to “be bold” Segment 3: Transformation & Disruption 45:22   Technology: How is it impacting the green industry? 48:33   A focus on e-commerce enhanced due to current events Segment 4: Wrapping Up 49:58   Communication: Key to being a better, braver leader 51:55   How to connect with Sean Additional Information Contact Sean Kramer: Sean’s LinkedIn Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

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You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.