Biggest Challenges Faced by a VP Operations at RWS Group
Darrin's biggest challenge as VP of Operations at RWS Group is navigating the impact of "global economic conditions" on client spending, which in turn affects revenue, profitability, and staffing decisions, forcing reactive or proactive headcount adjustments. A secondary, though less impactful, challenge involves "negotiating and compromise within a big organization" to align competing priorities.
Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Negotiation, Workplace Challenges, Industry Realities
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Darrin Lee
VP Operations
RWS Group
Arizona State University
n/a
Humanities, Political Science, American Studies
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Technology
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Global economic conditions impact revenue and operational decisions, including staffing.
2. The need for negotiation and compromise within a large organization to align priorities.
3. Balancing proactive and reactive measures to adapt to external economic factors impacting the business.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role as VP of Operations?
My biggest challenge relates to things outside my control that still impact my area of responsibility. This includes global economic conditions and how they affect our clients' spending.
This, in turn, affects my revenue, profits, and my ability to grow my team and spend as I wish. I then have to make reactive or proactive decisions about headcount, whether that's pausing hiring or cutting staff. That's one of my biggest challenges.
Externally, negotiating and compromising within a large organization is also a challenge. Everyone has priorities, and they don't always align. This is a smaller challenge, though, because we can usually find resolutions and work together. At least this is more within our control.