New Symantec CEO Steve Bennett (succeeding Enrique Salem effective immediately) is formerly CEO of Intuit, and previously held executive posts at General Electric.

The VAR Guy

July 25, 2012

2 Min Read
New Symantec CEO Steve Bennett: Who Is Intuit, GE Veteran?

Symantec CEO Steve Bennett

New Symantec CEO Steve Bennett (succeeding Enrique Salem effective immediately) is formerly CEO of Intuit, and previously held executive posts at General Electric. Read between the lines and Bennett brings big business smarts and SMB success to Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC), which is striving to ensure its storage and security software ride the cloud computing and mobile waves. The big question for partners: Is Bennett a VAR-friendly guy? Hmmm…

Bennett was Intuit’s CEO from 2000 to 2007, growing revenues from $1 billion to $2.7 billion. Earlier, he spent 23 years at General Electric (GE). There, he focused extensively on e-business, financial services and GE Capital.

Under Bennett, will Symantec remain a channel-focused company? The VAR Guy has reached out to Symantec for comment. In the meantime, Bennett’s experience at Intuit and GE could mean a few things for channel partners…

1. Small Business Friendly: Intuit has been among the most successful software companies in Small Business. You can bet Bennett will apply some SMB tricks of the trade at Symantec.

2. Financial Expertise: That GE Capital experience could help Symantec to really fine-tune its financial support for channel partners. Perhaps we’ll see some new wrinkles when it comes to lending and financing with distributors and other partners.

3. Mobile Expertise: Bennett sits on Qualcomm‘s board, giving him a front-row seat to view the wireless and mobile revolutions. Perhaps he’ll find new ways to embed Symantec security and software solutions in mobile devices beyond laptops and notebooks. (Intel, owner of McAfee, is hard at work on similar efforts).

Those are some quick observations from The VAR Guy. More alleged insights from our anonymous blogger will follow in the hours and days ahead.

 

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