Looks like KW and GS are done for
Lot of changes will be coming now. Good luck to all
23 replies (most recent on top)
@wj I recommend keeping the receipts for the day you are exited. I recommend all do this. I know I am if only to help right the wrongs for future people.
@tb DIE is a massive factor in Medtronic's failure over the past few years. ADN exists to avoid lawsuits, and we use them as such by "consulting" with them.
The people voting down know it's true and can't stand it, or are minorities themselves.
If you're white or a male, ignoring this is at your peril. There's an MN lawyer that has successfully settled suits against Medtronic several times for senior executives that have alleged racial discrimination for being white. Easily found on Google. He's blond and g-y. Try it.
One of the arguments is the extra layers of approval minority exits need, vs none for white men. Believe me or don't. At your peril and at your sons' peril.
Wouldn't surprise me DEI was a big factor in hiring and package.
MDT has massive infection of the "Didn't Earn it" disease.
@d9 He "failed up" because he's a DEI hire, just like QD was. They will always land on their feet and then some. They get to become someone else's quota checked off.
@a8 KW will get an extra massive package because of his race. They also "ran the decision" by the ADN.
Don't believe me? I've been in the discussions. This is exactly how it works when they RIF any high-level minority leader and can't shoehorn them into some other bullsh-t position. I've seen it. It's basically a blessing they'll use if there's any lawsuit in the future.
Soros Salba still at Medtronic?
I’ve been impressed with KW. He accomplished a lot during his brief tenure. Smart and charismatic. Always taking time to listen and speak to employees at all levels. Try that with GM, GS or other executives.
Let’s freaking go! Keep on trimming the corporate fat. Many more c-suite positions to cut. Medtronic Labs is next Elliot target.
Never was impressed by KW. Never was inspired. Assumed he was a fail up leader.
@d7 R&D didn’t like KW for the reasons mentioned by others in this thread. The rank and file engineers understood that the source of our product differentiation rests in hardware. And we also understood that our software organization is very expensive (internally) to work with, so there was little trust that any software AI would be effective. His meetings didn’t inspire confidence…most of them were “ask me anything” meetings rather than bringing anything of his own to the table or the agenda. And that was the most demotivating aspect of his tenure…the idea that the top technology individual was probably the least technically competent.
@d9 here’s the thing, anybody can do AI, just ask ‘AI Biomed Guy’. There are far fewer companies who can do medical devices. Washington lost sight that the only differentiator is Medtronic can make medical devices.
He was brought in because Medtronic was pushing into surgical robots and he came from Amazon Robotics but then pushed hard into software and AI.
@OP GS did a terrible job with ops/sc but the stupid idea to centralize that (in the middle of a pandemic) was all GM. GM then hired a dude with zero knowledge or experience in medtech. GS build a bloated, non-responsive and antagonistic org with a horrendous culture of fear. Good riddance!
My money is on BW as the next ExCom casualty
@d7 seemed like a guy who failed up. Was at Ford Motor for about 7 years, then went to Amazon for a cup of coffee to run their robotics group.
His introduction to Medtronic was that we were id--ts for selling hardware, and that Medtronic should be a software company. Basically, any id--t can do hardware but the most profitable companies sell software. The biggest companies in the world sell software, and the hardware is the commodity. Not a great message for a company whose lifeblood is selling implantable technology.
Seemed to pivot since then to have a ha---n towards AI.
I think a lot of people would rather see a focus in new therapy and/or hardware vs becoming a software company. AI seems like a buzzword cop out for a guy who doesn’t understand the company.
That said, personally, I think he’s been ineffective and harmless. My assessment of him is ‘meh’. Hasn’t moved us forward, hasn’t set us back.
Can anyone talk about why KW is not liked (and by whom? I assume R&D).
Every year my health insurance gets more expensive and KW joined two years (?) and then bring home big package to retire.
@a8 GS has been the WORST!!!. thank god he is gone
"Did Ken Washington ever get anything done"
Depends - do you count demoralizing the organization and discouraging OU R&D leadership? if so, then yes. He delivered his Amazon package.
Did Ken Washington ever get anything done
The fish rots from the head!
Keep swinging that axe! A lot of decaying wood at the top….
KW's hiring set-off a chain of real R&D leaders "retiring" - but really taking other jobs. Direct cause of leadership vacuum.
GS - has not understood Medtronic supply chain since the day he walked in and they just kept giving him more responsibility
Both will get 7 figure buy-out packages
The start of something good! Maybe hire from med device next time?
Like they say Shiat rolls down hill, lock in and pray you survive the ride.