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Senior Executive Interview

Senior Executive Interview. Senior Executive Interview. Interview Team: Debby Kinsley, Jamie Boone & Bob Dullea. Debby Kinsley Bob Dullea Jamie Boone. Wally Walker - Bio. Former NBA player, played eight seasons in NBA- five with Seattle. Played on two championship teams.

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Senior Executive Interview

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  1. Senior Executive Interview Senior Executive Interview Interview Team: Debby Kinsley, Jamie Boone & Bob Dullea Debby Kinsley Bob Dullea Jamie Boone

  2. Wally Walker - Bio • Former NBA player, played eight seasons in NBA- five with Seattle. Played on two championship teams. • After basketball, earned MBA at Stanford. • Became a Chartered Financial Analyst, worked for Goldman Sachs for seven years. • In 1994, began work as Sonics General Manager. • Engineered acquisition of Sonics in April 2001, bought in as part of new ownership group headed by Howard Schultz. Became President and CEO.

  3. Sonics Culture • Old Culture: Centralized command and emphasis on maximizing revenue. • New Culture: Greater entrepreneurial spirit through organization. Decisions pushed down. Focus on reducing costs and increasing margins.

  4. Sonics Culture • Basketball Model: • Play to win every game. • Goal to make playoffs this year. • Rebuild while remaining competitive. • Keep Payton, but develop younger talent. • Future is in three years. • Business Model: A sustainable business model is as important as a winning team. • Cultural Model: Have to enjoy coming to work, and share excitement around organizational success. • Basketball Personnel Decision Model: Input from all basketball operations team members=> consensus.

  5. Leadership Style • Emotional Resilience • Develop a long-term plan, and stick to it, unless there is a substantive reason to change. • Work with people you like and respect.

  6. Leadership Style • Hire Good People and let them take responsibility: Nate McMillan, Rich Cho, Rick Sund. • Focus on mission of creating a great experience for all Sonics fans- fun and friendly. Players are assets. • Casual and Friendly Style – came out to greet us, open collar, open attitude. • Passion for organization, along with game.

  7. Professional Challenges • Zero sum game: as many losers as winners. • Competition includes owners willing to throw away money. • Media Management: People who have to write every day about the Sonics need to build drama. Must set correct expectations.

  8. Personal Challenges • Occupying a highly public position: He knows he will be personally criticized in public media. • Not getting too caught up in the highs of winning or lows of losing. Keep sight on long term goals, not last night’s game. • Maintaining work/life balance. Carve out time for family. Keep other interests including reading and board work.

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