Meet Todd Jennings: The Ironman of I.T. and Cybersecurity
When it comes to endurance, few can match Todd Jennings, the Chief Technology Officer at Gold Athletics. With over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity and an impressive record as a 31-time Ironman triathlete, Todd embodies a level of dedication that goes beyond the ordinary. Whether he's strategizing on how to strengthen Gold Athletics' technological foundation or ensuring top-notch cybersecurity resilience, Todd brings an unparalleled passion for excellence to every challenge he encounters.
Guiding Our Tech Ship: Todd’s Vision and Role
Q: Can you describe your role in supporting the leadership team with technology, especially in terms of planning and flexibility?
Todd: In my role, I'm here to help the leadership team understand how to better use technology to drive growth and innovation. We already have a great app and platform, but the focus now is on how to take it to the next level. To do that, you need to make sure the investments in technology align with that vision and roadmap. I often talk about the "technology stack," which includes all the tools, apps, and resources we're using. Without proper planning, there's a risk of needing to replace tools entirely down the line, which I’ve seen in other organizations. My aim is to make technology decisions that are agile and flexible so we don't get boxed in, ultimately avoiding the high costs of re-investing in new solutions.
Building the Roadmap: From Buzzwords to Business
Q: What is the process you use for creating this roadmap, and how do you ensure that the leadership team is making informed decisions?
Todd: My goal is to provide a clear roadmap and guidance, making sure the leadership team has a full understanding of the technology’s business value. In tech, there are always new buzzwords and concepts, so I try to translate these into business-focused terms. By doing so, the leadership can make informed decisions about where to go, what to invest in, and what to prioritize. I help by mapping out ideas, identifying areas for improvement, and prioritizing them with the team. This way, we know our direction, but we’re flexible enough to adapt as customer needs and technologies change. The plan is always in pencil because it needs to evolve with changing conditions.
The Immediate Need: Real-Time Data at Your Fingertips
Q: You mentioned mind mapping with the leadership team to set priorities. What would you say is the first initiative for Gold Athletics in the short term?
Todd: Real-time dashboards, reporting alerts, KPIs, and metrics could allow every team, from customer service to finance and sales, to see how they’re performing at any given moment. This proactive approach would let us address issues immediately, rather than reacting to something after it’s already impacted the business.
From Game to Gain: Engaging Users Through Gamification
Q: Are you talking about dashboards specifically for fundraisers, for seeing how much a team is actively raising? Or do you mean more internal dashboards within CRM systems?
Todd: I’m focusing more on internal reporting for the business side. The foundation of our dashboard is strong, but we could explore enhancements to make it more engaging and interactive. For example, we might look at ways to gamify the user experience to engage both coaches and athletes. A friendly competition between teams could encourage involvement, where prizes or incentives motivate them to achieve more. This would keep users engaged with the app and add value for our donors and customers.
Balancing Innovation and Privacy
Q: Given the competitive and gamified elements you mentioned, how do you envision keeping users engaged with notifications, and what are the privacy considerations?
Todd: Transparency is key. Companies have to be fully open about how data is used and make it clear that it’s the user's choice. Generally, if users see a clear benefit, they’re more open to location sharing. We’d use it strictly to enhance the rewards experience, never selling personal data, and always keeping it anonymous. This balance of transparency and giving users control over their data would allow them to take full advantage of the app’s features, like location-based notifications that offer relevant rewards.
Future-Proofing the GA App
Q: You mentioned building a roadmap for technology to ensure we stay ahead of the curve. What are some immediate next steps for Gold Athletics on that front?
Todd: Right now, I’m focused on strengthening our foundation by reviewing our backend systems, database, and cloud architecture. Once the foundation is solid, we can start exploring ways to innovate the app. For instance, we could streamline our internal processes to reduce manual work, integrating with our vendors to speed up order fulfillment. From an app development perspective, we’ll look at how to make fundraising easier for students, possibly through gamification or social media integration. The goal is to free up resources internally so the team can focus on higher-value tasks.
The Future is Now: Stay Tuned for More
Gold Athletics is at an exciting crossroads, ready to harness Todd's expertise and take the organization to new heights. Whether it's through the introduction of real-time data, gamification to engage users, or leveraging AI for more efficient processes, the future looks promising. Ready to experience the Gold Athletics difference?
Explore our GA app to see how we're transforming the fundraising experience, and meet our team to learn more about how we're innovating behind the scenes. Connect with Todd Jennings on LinkedIn for insights into tech leadership and cybersecurity.
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