Degion (Di-jion) Craddock, MBA, MSD’s Post

Yesterday marked my last day at Dell Technologies, a journey that lasted almost two years. I'm filled with a mix of emotions – gratitude, nostalgia, and a tinge of sadness. These past two years have been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and camaraderie, and I'm leaving with a heart full of cherished memories. One of the key takeaways from my time at Dell is the "importance of building a brand in meetings".  I had two weekly meetings that I considered significant. I used to contribute only when my name was called out, but now I realize I should have been more proactive. This feedback was an eye-opener for me. Meetings are not just about being present, they are about making your presence felt. They are platforms where you can showcase your knowledge, your ideas, and your ability to contribute to the team’s goals. So, don’t just attend meetings, participate in them. Make sure your voice is heard, your ideas are shared, and your brand is built. A huge shout-out to my colleagues turned besties - Lakshmi S and Raksha Mallya, for always lending your ears when I needed to vent. To my OS PJM team - vijay Kumar TS and Sri Monika, thank you for helping me understand the process and tools better. To Tilak Sidduram and Priyanka Bajpai, my OS leads, thank you for your timely feedback and guidance. To my incredible manager BARUN CHAUDHARY, who gave me a chance to grow in this role. A big hug to my entire team for making my time at Dell truly unforgettable - Shubhra | vinay | Ritesh | Yallamma and the list just goes on 😊 Time flew, but no regrets – not a single day of cribbing, all thanks to this fantastic crew! 🙌 ------------------ 👋 I’m Mary and I help early-career professionals (0-5 years) transition into project management roles in the IT industry.  📩 DM me or 📞 book a discovery call (link in the bio). 👉Follow Mary for #teammanagement, #selfdevelopment,#peoplemanagement, #projectmanagement, and #careerdevelopmentcoaching 🔔 Never Miss a post #iwork4dell #PLMLinkedInChallenge

And, I resigned from Dell Technologies to start a new chapter in life. After nine amazing years at Dell, managing well over $10 billion in negotiations, leading teams to pioneer new technologies, and striving for excellence, my journey at Dell has come to a close. Dell was more than just a workplace — it was a transformative experience that shaped who I am today. Here are some key lessons that will continue to guide me: 1. Relationships are your ultimate differentiator. 2. Hold yourself accountable to an exceptional standard of excellence and performance. 3. Win, but always with integrity. 4. Succeed together as a team. 5. Innovation is the engine for growth. Thank you, Dell, for the incredible opportunities. With the same passion and determination, I'm now starting my journey to work on my startup — the next generation software stack for operations teams. Just two days of talking to prospective pilot customers have already yielded fantastic insights. To my network: I would greatly appreciate your introductions to contacts in operations, especially in manufacturing (or contract mnfg) space. I’m on the road to learn, adapt, and refine my roadmap. Your support would be invaluable!

If you are wondering what it takes to have a successful career, stop for a moment! 🤔Two of our leaders - daizy ignatius and Chitra Rajan recently completed 2 decades at Dell Technologies, and they have some advice for you. 🎉 Jump into this article to get inspired by their career so far, and get their top tips for what it takes! 🗝️ Click here for the article - https://dell.to/4cK3joM

It was a privilege to address the NGPA inside program here at Dell this week. Live in Hopkinton, MA and via zoom to Round Rock, TX and more. With my previous experience as a customer before arriving at Dell it was my goal to add additional perspective of what that field partnership looks like. The message was simple, but here was my take on it: Lead with Empathy: Empathy isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the cornerstone of exceptional customer experiences. When we put ourselves in our customers’ shoes, we gain insights that go beyond surface-level interactions. Every customer has unique needs, emotions, and pain points. By actively listening and understanding their perspectives, we build trust and loyalty. Be Curious: Curiosity fuels growth. Let’s remain curious about our customers’ industries, challenges, and aspirations. Ask questions, seek to understand, and explore innovative solutions. Curiosity drives us to uncover hidden opportunities and deliver tailored solutions that truly make a difference. Execution: Ideas are powerful, but execution is where the rubber meets the road. Whether we’re solving complex problems or implementing new strategies, let’s execute with focus. Our commitment to excellence ensures that our customers receive top-notch service. Remember, execution isn’t just about getting it done; it’s about delivering. Thank you Greg Ring for partnering on the session and thank you Joe Pingitore for the opportunity. #ngpa #presales #onena #mentor #payitforward #iwork4dell

It’s been two weeks since my journey with Dell came to a close. Before sharing my thoughts publicly, I wanted to ensure they were genuinely aligned. I've spent this period reflecting on the impactful seven years I spent there. The more I ponder my tenure, the more I'm filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. I had the good fortune to serve in a role with diverse responsibilities, whose impact could be felt in educational systems, non-profits, corporate partnerships, and key business metrics. Foremost, my deepest appreciation goes to the team I had the privilege of working with every day. Working with my team was akin to attending a daily masterclass in education, business, and strategy. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to those that have contributed to my professional growth: Suzanne Newell, Ed.D.: A catalyst for meaningful impact from day one. Jeremiah Okal-Frink: A mission-driven leader who not only embodies the organization's goals in his own actions but also guides others in aligning their efforts with the mission. Tara N.: A productivity guru with a deep knowledge base of educational principles who sets a pace we all strive to match. Kendall Latham: A genuine leader whose thought leadership in equity issues is profound. Not to mention, my sales academy co-pilot. Adrienne Garber: A strategist who employs carefully crafted activities to delve into people's core beliefs. It's amazing to see how she can help people by finding the foundation of a challenge so that an efficient solution can be created. Danielle Rourke: Expert in Project Management and eSports, and an exceptional collaborator. Jeffrey Lancaster: You have taught me so much in developing systems that are approached holistically and whose end products appear beautifully simple yet deeply powerful. Katina Papulkas: Infectious positivity permeates through a team when Katina is a part of it. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the kernel in Katina’s brain blossom into a full-blown program, 'Girls Who Game.' Hernan Londono, Ph.D.: My own personal CISO who comprehends both the technological and human aspects affecting an organization. Leslie Harlien: A leader who solidifies trust through action. Michelle Cruver & Kay Kerr: Marketing savants who connect brands with the human element. Nekia Becerra: A fearless explorer of the unknown. Adam Garry: It feels like I have been in a 10-year conversation with you on the pillars of leadership. I have grown so much through that time and appreciate the thoughtful guidance along the way. I look forward to seeing how you translate theory and research into meaningful action. Onward in AI and Cybersecurity To those who’ve reached out for continued support in Generative AI and Cybersecurity, I’m thrilled to continue to work together Open for Networking I am open to networking and exploring new opportunities. If you know of any roles or projects where my skills could be valuable, feel free to connect or reach out for a virtual coffee.

This speaks VOLUMES. Given the opportunity to return to the office or work from home and forgo any sort of promotions/raises and lose the ability to change roles... Almost HALF of Dell's employees decided to remain at home. Gone are the days of folks slaving away for large corporations who expect nothing but the utmost loyalty, only to let entire departments go without a second thought. The irony in today’s corporate world is staggering. People are realizing their worth, and I am here for it. The workforce is: - Over the lack of transparency and communication from leadership. - Over being expected to provide loyalty when it is not reciprocated from day 1. - Over dealing with outdated corporate policies that don't adapt to modern needs. - Over the lack of genuine career development opportunities and mentorship. - Most Importantly: Over not spending time with our family. Folks will take their talent elsewhere, real quickly when they find a company that values them.

✨ One Year Later: From the NFL to Tech - A Leap of Faith ✨ Around this time last year, I was packing up my life, preparing to embark a new chapter to move to California for two years to work for the Los Angeles Rams. The thrill of working for an NFL team was a dream come true. I have a big passion for sports and this decision did not come easy. I would have to put the life I built in Virginia on hold. But life had other plans, and it’s amazing how one decision can alter your entire trajectory. In the fourth quarter with one minute left, third and goal… Dell presented me with an opportunity that I could not turn down, setting the stage for one of the most pivotal years of my life. Today on my one year anniversary, I want to share my journey. The decision to choose Dell was undoubtedly a leap of faith, especially after I already committed to my move to LA with signing a lease and hiring movers. It took much deliberation and soul searching. It’s the classic tale of your heart vs your head. Nonetheless, I do not regret my decision. Not only did Dell offer me a full time job but also a new perspective, new skills, and a chance to work with an incredible team. This past year has been a whirlwind of growth, trials, learning, and personal development. I’ve had the privilege to tackle new challenges, broaden my horizons, and adapt to an ever-changing industry. Ultimately, life often presents us with choices and these decisions can shape our destiny. Choosing between two amazing opportunities can be daunting, but know when you say “no” to one thing can mean saying “yes” to a world of unexplored potiental and opportunities. So, to those that find themselves at a crossroad, if an unexpected opportunity falls on your lap even if it diverts you from your original plan, can lead to unimaginable growth. Embrace change, trust your instincts, and watch how it can transform your life. Here’s to life’s difficult decisions, chasing your dreams, no matter where they lead you! 🚀👩🏻💻 #tech #nfl #trustyourinstincts #jobsearch #careergrowth #embracechange #change

**Trigger alert** overly sappy post ◡̈   The last year and a half have been nothing short of transformational. I became a first time leader, diving into the world of recruiting on Day 0 in order to fully staff our (incredible) team with a short ramp period before I went out on maternity leave to become a first time mother. I was a hesitant to even take this role.. In all honestly, I tried not to because I was filled with so much self-doubt driven by imposter syndrome. I was also concerned that the timing would render a potential disservice to my ramping team, leaving them without a leader so early into their tenure at Zscaler.   But, thankfully, I had the most incredible leaders that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Not only did they instill confidence in me while I learned by their example, but they led from the front with my work family while I was able to spend 4 months on leave caring for my "home team." Upon my return, every leader, peer and member of my team was gracious and understanding as my husband and I went through the trials and tribulations of our son adapting to daycare while I adjusted to my new role as a working mom. Though we've had some changes in regime at Zscaler, the most important thing has remained consistent: Every leader in this organization has leaned in to take considerable time in helping me to grow while investing in my team to help them shine. I could not be more thankful to work for and with some of the best professionals and, simply put, people in this business.   It's with bittersweet sentiment that I turn the page to a new chapter now, going back to my roots as an individual contributor. I am humbled by this opportunity to transition from leader to peer to my team, and I am energized by the prospect of this new challenge. Beyond all, I am so incredibly grateful for the lessons learned, for the fun times had, and for the profound growth that I experienced throughout this epoch. I owe it all to the work family that is Zscaler. #newbeginnings #workfamily #zscalerlife #leadership Tagging just a few key folks for their constant support & inspiration ♡ onto new chapters, LFG Jeff Lindley Brian Heili Mike Earnest David Goodmark R.C. Damle Brian Isaak Brian Wright Keith Mele Tony Apollo Trey Suter Jonathan Colby Noelle Ziegler Kaitlyn Terrell Rachel Jacob Brian DeSpain Sasan Rastegarlari - CISSP Taylor O'Boyle Kahini Chandriani Maria Alejandra Ali Cindy Binette Arne Diaz Curtis Newman Jarvis Homer

Meet Raquel, and discover how the Marketing Development Program (MDP) at Dell transformed her professional growth and career development. Learn more about the benefits and opportunities of this robust program. https://dell.to/3PxlFzf #iwork4dell

Meet Raquel, and discover how the Marketing Development Program (MDP) at Dell transformed her professional growth and career development. Learn more about the benefits and opportunities of this robust program. https://dell.to/49HDO4U #iwork4dell