Name: Scott Bajtos
Scott joined VMware in 2009 and as Chief Customer Officer (CCO) oversees the company’s Global Services team, which includes technical support, customer success, and customer advocacy. Additionally, his team influences product quality and interoperability to ensure a best-in-class experience for customers and partners across VMware and Dell Technologies solutions. With over 28 years of experience in the software and services industry, Scott brings a strong background in customer support operations, customer loyalty, and seamless customer adoption lifecycles.
Prior to VMware, Scott worked for SAP and served as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Prior to joining SAP, Scott worked for Business Objects and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Satisfaction Officer, as well as several other executive and management-level positions. He has created global customer advocacy programs aimed at strengthening customer loyalty while maximizing revenue and satisfaction at a variety of companies, including Business Objects and Cadence Design Systems.
Scott holds a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Mary’s College of California.
I got to know Scott when working in engineering at VMware. I then had the opportunity to work for him as we redefined the way VMware supports its customers, focusing on identifying problems before they impacted our customers through a new proactive support capability.
Questions Interview
I asked Scott three questions that were specific to him.
- In addition to running a large organization, you are the Chief Customer Officer (CCO) for VMware. As the CCO, what are your responsibilities and how do you define success?
- Having had the opportunity to work for you, one of the many things that stand out is the loyalty that your team has. What do you do to develop that loyalty?
- You are a fan of the book “Strengthsfinder” by Tom Rath. You have your team complete the assessment and share the results. Why do you do this?
I then asked Scott the same six questions that I ask all interviewees – in a lightning-round format.
- What’s the most important factor you consider when hiring someone?
- Who was your most effective boss, and what made him or her stand out?
- What was the most difficult transition that you made in your career?
- How do you approach helping someone with their career development or path?
- What tools and tricks do you use to find work-life balance?
- How do you go about building relationships with your peers and other leaders in the company?
As you will hear in the interview, Scott is unique in his personal commitment to customers. His greatest strength is serving others. He seeks to understand first and then will do whatever it takes to help a customer to be successful.
“I like to think a little bit deeper – ‘are we really are we delivering the promise the value realization of from a customer’s lens. When they acquired the VMware software and went into partnership with us, are we delivering for them?”
You will also hear about how Scott builds great teams. He has very high expectations, leverages strengths, listens, provides help, and rewards success.
“If you listen to what is important to your employee base and providing them the opportunity to succeed, leveraging their strengths and making sure they are in positions to do their best – that’s just magic.”
I am sure that you will get a lot out of my podcast with Scott!
Career Path
After asking all of the questions above, I then asked Scott to share his career path. I asked him to start at the beginning and talk us through the path that he took, and the decisions that he made that led to where he is today.
I think you will get a lot out of the journey that Scott has taken and his learnings along the way!
See Also
What Does It Mean to Give as a Leader
Make An Impact – How Goals Can Help
Pat Gelsinger – Incredibly Successful Executive with the Right Priorities
