CRN Interview: John Paget, Synnex

John Paget has run a manufacturing plant, a solution provider, an enterprise distributor and a financing organization. Why would he want to enter the low-margin business of broadline distribution? In his first interview since being named North American President and COO of Synnex, Paget spoke with Distribution Editor Scott Campbell about why he joined Synnex.

CRN: You were most recently senior vice president and general manager of GE Technology Financial Services. You were CEO of GE Access, Sun Microsystems' largest distributor, prior to that. Why Synnex? Why now?

PAGET: I've known Bob [Huang, president and CEO of Synnex] for years. He's one of the most high-integrity, high-focused individuals I know. If I [were choosing] to come back to distribution, there would be no other choice in my mind to work for someone like Bob and a company like Synnex. Synnex has arrived. They're growing quickly. This is an incredibly cooperative, collaborative group of people that makes things happen for customers and vendors.

CRN: What is your role at Synnex?

PAGET: From a pragmatic standpoint, I will be in charge of the operational side, the financial operations side, inventory management, purchasing. I will also have the HR organization and the integration business that we do. From the HR side, I have committed to building a management development program for Synnex to foster excellent ideas as we grow. I will be a customer advocate for Synnex, someone who is constantly at the customer contact level ensuring that we meet their expectations and provide the services they require.

CRN: What are your most immediate goals? What has Bob Huang left on your plate?

PAGET: Given my background, I would expect to spend a good amount of time looking at increasing our services-type activity within Synnex. And increasing the solutions-type process as we look at broadening the value to the reseller and vendor markets. Much of that business will have to be built, but it's also a matter of better marketing the capabilities we have now. The marketplace doesn't understand what we can do already. Clearly, we need to move to a broader perspective to be capable of providing value and volume services to the marketplace.

CRN: Will Synnex begin selling more complex solutions and are you looking to attract higher-end vendors that serve the enterprise space?

PAGET: Clearly, for broadline distribution to be successful, broadline needs more complex solutions. Does that mean high-end SAN? That's a mountain that all broadline distributors have to climb, but it's clearly something to focus on to change the market presence of distribution. More and more, the OEMs are bringing more products through distribution. To be successful, you have to be capable of supplying the support services, the integration services, the thought leadership around solution-stack business.

CRN: How will your diverse experience help at Synnex? PAGET: One of the things I will be able to bring to the marketplace is that all my experience has been at public companies. Even when I was doing a VAR turnaround, it was public. For Synnex, I bring some experience in that arena. Secondly, I have been in all of the different categories of the supply chain, including running a manufacturing plant. It brings a perspective of the entire supply chain. How we can play in that and meet the needs of the entire supply chain? As manufacturers come into more supply chain management, we will be well-positioned.

CRN: What would you like to say to solution providers about what you will mean to Synnex?

PAGET: I have not lost my customer passion. If anything, it is probably heightened. Many of the resellers I know, and I know most of the market on an intimate basis, expect the same intimate focus. We are focused on ensuring customer satisfaction and on running a profitable business. It's a big focus of nearly 2,000 people. I want those people to know that I am easy to get a hold of. Any issues or problems, I really encourage them to engage in a dialogue. I will be quickly getting out in the field to see them. There's an amazing capability here that has me turned on.