Thread regarding CDW layoffs

UK reshuffle at the top

https://itchanneloxygen.com/exclusive-cdw-unveils-penny-williams-as-new-uk-md/

Wonder if the US bigwigs have been reading and made a decision for once, seems JD and Malcolm Pope have been booted in the UK. With Penny Williams taking the helm as the captain...how that plays out anyone's guess.

Someone's previous synopsis of the UK&I biz on here:
The UK business is failing terribly compared to previous decade of unprecedented growth. Usual story of “we’re making loads of money and growing, what shall we change to make more” all they actually done was drive it further into the ground. Appointed a VP of Sales who had only ever ran public sector sales teams, since she was appointed that have failed to hit target, forecast and outlook most months, but for some reason the US don’t hold her accountable. They spent millions trying to move away from their aging internal sales and CRM systems which still haven’t gone live. The senior leaders promote their friends (or relatives) by forcing others out of roles or out of the business. They ban any travel, but happily hold drinks and dinners for senior leadership at overpriced restaurants, their senior leaders are also given Ned memberships whilst everyone else is forced to stay in hotels under £100 a night. The only way to avoid future redundancies is to blow smoke up the leadership teams ar-e and tell them how great they are!

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| 2131 views | | 12 replies (last July 6) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1v8jo2SZ

12 replies (most recent on top)

Pape was a tw-t and got what he deserved

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Post ID: @14ar+1v8jo2SZ

This was a surprise but not a surprise but a surprise - yes, not gone mad with this statement, here is why:

Surprised there was a cull of the leadership not just JD and Malcolm as has been reported, but also Tom Nesbitt (COO), Guy Thomas (CIO?) and host of contractors (Step 5 mainly). Who remains - Penny, Barry Harber and the Sales Leadership - seems complete surprise the opposite of who ACTUALLY should of gone - the old Kelway team - has remained and promoted. What is not a surprise is the very fundamental issues that has eaten the International business is LARGELY down to these culprits too. So surprised the root-cause is remaining. The growth is still there but they never had any to drive this forward because the back-office operations (especially Logistics which is run by a bunch of re--rds in Rugby) is run like a school papier-mâché project. Does not surprise me JD and Malcolm left as they were pulling hairs over the utter incompetence of the back-office (Barry Harber) and Sales promising the Customer "We can do it, no matter what". So no surprises to see this happening and it won't be a surprise if more layoffs are made.

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Post ID: @Uaso+1v8jo2SZ

There has been a series of really bizarre decisions on the UK business. JD was invisible for months, and every decision took far too long to make. The whole of 2024 has been about cutting cost, yet senior leaders have seemingly credit less ability to spend more expenses on international travel and accommodation. There is an utter lack of cohesive strategy, with a “we sell anything” approach. It’s unclear what CDW are targeting as future growth strategy and how they are preparing for it.

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Post ID: @Lbue+1v8jo2SZ

No more finance dept meetings with the word "segue" dropped every 30 seconds

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Post ID: @4kyc+1v8jo2SZ

@2jnj+1v8jo2SZ

Pape, not Pope.

Alright Malcolm, not that anyone cared.

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Post ID: @2wmt+1v8jo2SZ

@2jnj+1v8jo2SZ
Pape, not Pope.

Well well, he did think he was a god like character;)

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Post ID: @2iob+1v8jo2SZ

Pape, not Pope.

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Post ID: @2jnj+1v8jo2SZ

@fgh+1v8jo2SZ
"That was Penny if I’m not mistaken ??"

Yeah not just the VP of sales now but the captain...
Will Pope's empire building team all leave now.

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Post ID: @1qhk+1v8jo2SZ

Bring back Mr. Eccles.

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Post ID: @1eua+1v8jo2SZ

Public sector is a completely different business. No offense but chasing RFP’s and getting government contracts is not selling, it’s administering. And it’s definitely not even close to where the rest of the market is on transformative tech. The leaders in public sector are usually the weakest. Such stupid decisions. It’s atrocious.

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Post ID: @1fhs+1v8jo2SZ

JD Who ?

Started to see and then hear less and less from JD in recent months.

Based in the States but somehow was overseeing the UK. I guess it didn’t work out….

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Post ID: @fji+1v8jo2SZ

M@OP+1v8jo2SZ

“Appointed a VP of Sales who had only ever ran public sector sales teams, since she was appointed that have failed to hit target, forecast and outlook most months, but for some reason the US don’t hold her accountable.”

That was Penny if I’m not mistaken ??

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Post ID: @fgh+1v8jo2SZ

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