How Zones Fosters Innovation and Diversity in IT on a Global Scale

Equity in Business

In this episode of NMSDC’s Equity in Business Podcast, we explore Sean Hobdy's journey from an entry-level position to the senior vice president of global sales at Zones, a leading global IT solutions provider. Learn how Zones helps companies achieve their digital transformation goals, from desktop to data center, and into the cloud and beyond.

Sean Hobday shares insights including:

• How he earned his leadership position from the “ground up” when he decided he wanted to work for the Zones technology company.
• How diverse partnerships led to the development of better products, services, employees, and leaders.
• Key lessons from his first major contracts with Starbucks and Pacific Gas and Electric.
• Finally, how the leadership of Firoz Lalji, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Zones, LLC, who hails from Uganda, taught Sean to appreciate the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion from a "return on investment" perspective.

Guest:
Sean Hobday, senior vice president of global sales, Zones
Host and Production Specialist:
John G. Daniel is a believer, advocate for underserved communities, and published writer, with vast transformative leadership experience in the energy sector, economic development, hurricane recovery, and youth/community education and empowerment. Itoro Umontuen is the Editor of this project and is an award-winning photographer, reporter, and mixed-media journalist.

About the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC):
Founded in 1972, NMSDC is the longest-operating business growth engine for the broadest group of systematically excluded communities of color (Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American), and our impact goes far beyond the supply chain. It’s about upward mobility for the emerging majority of Americans, an equal shot at participating in the American experiment of free-market capitalism and entrepreneurship. Our work is about correcting the unequal access to wealth-building opportunities. For more information, please visit nmsdc.org.
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