What is your title and practice area within Deloitte Digital?
Rob Sparno: I’m a Customer Experience Talent Leader focused on scaling our talent in the organization and working on internal enablement programs, such as technical bootcamps for cross-training resources and ramping up our campus recruiting efforts. I’ll also be involved in driving partnerships with new companies in the ecosystem and developing those relationships to scale the practice.
Tell us a little bit about your background and where you were before Deloitte Digital.
RS: I started my professional journey as a high school teacher in Brooklyn, New York. During my career, I have worked for market-making companies: Apple Inc., Netscape Communications and Salesforce.
I worked for Salesforce for almost nine years in a variety of leadership roles supporting the partner/ecosystem. I know the competition and the independent software vendor (ISV) community well and will be working with our recruiters and cross functional teams to identify top talent to bring to Deloitte Digital.
In my leisure time, I enjoy cooking Italian food, learning about wine, Adirondack living, staying fit by distance running, playing golf with my sons and traveling with my family.
What attracted you to Deloitte Digital?
RS: I have been a long-time friend of the firm, going back to the early days of the practice working on some of the first deals we did. In short, the people I have been associated with at Deloitte have been world-class in every way!
What do you believe sets us apart from the competition?
RS: Deloitte Digital represents an amazing brand, and vision with a great track record of client success. Deloitte Digital is a clear leader and market-making creative digital consultancy helping clients achieve success in optimizing digital technology solutions. DD stands above the rest by investing ahead of the curve, with a vision to help transform and deliver client success.
What do you see as the biggest area for growth in your discipline?
RS: Tapping into the new wave of building solutions for the digital age—artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and IoT/machine learning are in the early stages of their evolution. We are in a talent revolution. Millennials want to create long-lasting value and work with people they trust who share their vision of making a difference in the world. The “new world of work” reflects a re-commitment to the values of trust and making the world a better place. Deloitte Digital reflects all of these values and vision.
What will be your main areas of focus in your new role with us?
RS: Driving innovative approaches in developing the practice by optimizing the network of professionals I have been associated with in my career: individual leaders and companies who are the forefront of the digital transformation, consultancies, ISVs, and early-stage companies. I will be taking a fresh look at how we are approaching campus recruitment, partner initiatives, and internal resources.
What inspires you?
RS: My parents, specifically my dad, was my initial inspiration. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I was the oldest of four children. I was always encouraged and supported to work harder, lead by example, and help others to be successful. He was a great role model!
On a professional note, what inspires me today is:
- Driving client success at a pace that reflects the innovation they are seeking, then witnessing that success first hand.
- Expanding on the vision and leading by example to help solve big problems, then rallying the cross-functional resources to execute on enabling the solution.
- The exhilaration of working with a great team of people.
What’s your favorite emoji?
RS: Thumbs up!
Who is your favorite late-night TV host?
RS: Jimmy Fallon
What’s on your current playlist?
RS: Sting, Chris Botti, Steely Dan, Miles Davis, George Benson, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Neil Young, Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell, Carole King.