We are currently experiencing one of the most pivotal eras in the evolution of information technology. New dimensions like Cloud, mobile, tablet, and social have been added to an industry that already kept a nearly impossible pace. Throw in the greatest recession since the great depression and we’re really having fun. Shifting our minds from job preservation and an order-taker management mentality can help us give IT a new reputation. We consistently find common traits of those who learn to break through and lead their organizations from the front through true innovation. Join Wingstop’s Vice President of Technology and Credera as we explore some of the great IT leaders, as well as, the frameworks and mind shift that makes it all possible.

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2. Insight from an Innovator
InnoTech Dallas 2013
Irving, TX
April 4, 2013

3. Innovation Defined …
What is Innovation?
Wikipedia
Innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a better and, as a
result, novel idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of
the idea or method itself.
Dictionary.com
something newly introduced, such as a new method or device
Thesauris.com
Synonyms: Cutting edge, addition, modernization, modification
Antonyms: Habit, rut, idleness, stagnation
BusinessDictionary.com
The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value
or for which customers will pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at
an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need.
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4. The State of IT Operations …
Today’s IT organizations are consistently asked to do more with less, and often find themselves
paralyzed by limited budgets, staff, or executive support
keep the lights on
new projects
maintenance
enablement
support
enhancements
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5. The Lens of Innovation …
Successful IT Innovation is often accomplished when an organization finds common ground between its
critical business drivers, what its internal or external customers want, and what’s technologically feasible
Lens of IT Innovation
Strategy 
Business Process 
impossible
 User Research
Transformation & OCM  What drives to build or
what people  User-Centric Design
the business forward? maintain
will use?
Metrics & Intelligence   Creative
Competitive Analysis 
VIABLE DESIRABLE
 Content Strategy
Business Case Development  SUCCESS  Front-end Development
Leadership & Management   Multivariate Testing
nobody not cost
wants to justified
use it
Mobile 
Web & eCommerce  what is
technically possible?
Portals & Collaboration 
Custom Development  FEASIBLE
Customer Relationship Management 
Enterprise Data Management 
Infrastructure & Cloud Services 
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6. Innovation Enablement …
Leaders within the most innovative IT organizations have several key activities and attributes in
common
Innovation Enablers Innovation Trends
Grease the skids If you haven’t already - have an educated
position on these; determine where your
 Be a great leader organization may benefit
 Invest in R&D
 Keep an IT scorecard  Cloud Computing
 Become great at IT operations first  Increased data velocity
 Have a business view of IT  Design for analytics
 Be proactive, not reactive  Seamless Collaboration
 Practice the art of transformation  Strategic Big Data
 Social analytics
 Social CRM
 Relationships at scale & loyalty
 Consumerization of IT, BYOD, and mobile
 Enterprise Social Networking
 Active defense
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7. Attributes of the best leaders …
The world’s greatest leaders always know their teams, understand their strengths and motivators, and
position each individual for success
Great leaders always …
 Understand what motivates each team member
 Invest focused time in each team member
 Humble themselves and lead from the front
 Put employees in positions to succeed
 Stretch employees and help them do what they love doing
 Ask for feedback often; and give it often
 Listen
 Focus on growing new leaders
 Simply do the right thing every time, even when nobody is
looking
 Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and
Why People Follow (by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie)
 the most effective leaders are always investing in
strengths
 the most effective leaders surround themselves with the
right people and then maximize their team
 the most effective leaders understand their followers’
needs.
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8. Transformation Framework …
IT Transformation is a relatively simple process but requires a conscious and deliberate effort sustained
over a long or even permanent period of time
Transformation Framework Summary
Annual • Short & Long Term Vision
• Current Pain Points
Low Hanging • Quick hits
Adjustments Evaluation • Low cost/high impact
• Etc. Fruit
People, process, technology
Strategy • Assessment
Continuous improvement
• Strategy Development
Development • Plan/Roadmap • Enable the business
• Streamline IT
• Provide better service
2–5 • Grow the team (technical, leadership, etc.)
Years • Grow yourself
• Reduce costs and improve margins
• Project 1
Roadmap • Project 2
• Project 3
Execution • …
• Analyze Team Capabilities
• Identify emerging technologies
Research & Development • Identify Applications
• Training
• Complete POC’s
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9. Transformation Framework …
IT Transformation is a relatively simple process but requires a conscious and deliberate effort sustained
over a long or even permanent period of time
Transformation Framework Summary
Annual • Short & Long Term Vision
• Current Pain Points
Low Hanging • Quick hits
Adjustments Evaluation • Low cost/high impact
• Etc. Fruit
People, process, technology
Strategy • Assessment
• Strategy Development
Development • Plan/Roadmap
2–5
Years
• Project 1
Roadmap • Project 2
• Project 3
Execution • …
• Analyze Team Capabilities
• Identify emerging technologies
Research & Development • Identify Applications
• Training
• Complete POC’s
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10. Insight from an Innovator …
Jason McEachern is Wingstop’s Vice President of IT
Jason joined Wingstop in June 2010 in the newly created role of Vice President
of Technology. Jason brings 17 years of loyalty and technology experience to
the position. He has designed loyalty programs that not only provide customer
insight, but have also proven to drive sales for the brand and increase the
overall guest experience.
In his role as VP of Technology for Wingstop, Jason is responsible for
introducing technologies that both interact with guests at the customer
experience touch points, and efficiently manage back-of-house operations.
To better build and facilitate the guest experience, Jason is also spearheading
the development and implementation of a customized guest loyalty program,
Jason McEachern new POS system, the company's first phone app, digital merchandising menu
boards, and an increased presence on social media.
Since Jason joined the company, Wingstop entered the Restaurant Social
Media Index at number 15, and was listed as the #3 Twitter growth brand in the
first quarter of 2012 and the #1 Facebook growth brand in the second quarter of
2012.
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11. So What …
Great leadership with a focus on several of the key innovation enablers will lead to sustained IT
excellence and plenty of opportunity for success
So What
 IT Innovation occurs at the convergence of business drivers, customer needs, and
technology come together
 Key enablers
 Be a great leader
 Invest in R&D
 Become great at IT operations first
 Have a business view of IT
 Keep an IT scorecard
 Be proactive, not reactive
 Practice the art of transformation
 I’d love to hear from you …
Trent Sutton Jason McEachern
Vice President & Partner Vice President of Technology
Credera Wingstop
tsutton@credera.com
@tsutton73
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12. Question & Answer
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