| Hope To Accomplish: Heck's goal this year is to increase the success and penetration of VMware's channel in small and medium business, commercial and enterprise segments by giving partners first-rate programs, consistent two-way communication and opportunities to growth their virtualization practice. Heck says the key to growing and sustaining a loyal channel is to provide the best mix of programs and products.
Mentor: Her sister-in-law, Janet Heck, who excelled at a prestigious Wall Street financial investment firm and has helped her maneuver through sensitive situations with her experience as one of the few female executives in a company.
Executives You Admire: Besides the women who have been mentors, Heck says, she has worked with many male executives she admires: Larry Zulch, founder of Dantz and later president of the EMC Insignia product line. Zulch genuinely cared equally about his staff and doing the right thing for them as he did for his own personal success, Heck says. Steve Houck, Heck's current manager, not only "talks on integrity, but walks the walk as someone who honors their word and strives to be the best leader he can be." And finally, Carl Eschenbach, executive vice president of worldwide field operations. Heck says she always applies the saying "Fish rots from the head" to what she thinks makes a good company culture. If the executive team holds themselves accountable to employees, customers and partners and shareholders, then each employee will do the same. Eschenbach has a balanced perspective on what is important to the company, but not at the expense of all else, she adds. "He inspires me to believe that we only get one shot on this earth, so let's make our contribution something we can be proud of." |
