- CDW CEO John Edwardson on Setting Goals
- 05.27.2008
In 2007, CDW generated sales of $8.1 billion. Here Edwardson, a former COO of United Airlines, talks about goals at the employee, executive and company levels; how going private last year impacted targets; and what the consequences are of not meeting goals.
The segment was shot at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Management Conference on May 16, 2008.
CDW Corporation sells technology products and services to businesses, government and educational institutions. The company’s product offerings include hardware and peripherals, software, accessories and other products. It sells brands such as Acer, Adobe, Apple, Cisco, IBM, Microsoft and Sony among others.
It was recently ranked No. 39 on Forbes magazine’s list of America’s Largest Private Companies.
Founded in 1984, CDW today employs approximately 6,300 coworkers and is expected to increase its staff to 7000 by the end of 2008.
About John Edwardson
Edwardson is chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer and executive committee member of CDW, a leading provider of technology products and services for business, government and education.
Edwardson is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and leading the senior management team.
Edwardson joined CDW in 2001. Previously, he served as chairman and chief executive officer of Burns International Services Corporation (1999-2000) and as a director (1994-1998), president (1994-1998) and chief operating officer (1995-1998) of UAL Corporation and United Airlines. Prior to UAL Corporation and United Airlines, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ameritech Corporation (1991-1994).
Edwardson is a 1971 graduate of Purdue University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering and a 1972 graduate of the University of Chicago where he earned a master's degree in business administration. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of FedEx Corporation and the Board of Trustees for The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Ravinia Festival. Edwardson also serves on the Advisory Council of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
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