Tiffany MacKinnon is the Head of Global Supply Chain Services at HCL Technologies / HCL America. She is a senior logistics and supply chain professional with extensive expertise in import/export regulatory requirements, global logistics, and compliance program development. Tiffany is known for her innovative leadership style, which enables her to drive change within complex global environments. She specializes in strategically creating and implementing holistic processes to enhance capabilities and improve global efficiencies.
Tiffany’s passion lies in logistics, and she has a deep-rooted love for this field. Before joining HCL Technologies, she served as a team lead in integrated logistics, overseeing supply chain processes from order inception to final delivery. Her wealth of experience and dedication to the logistics industry has made her a valuable asset in her role at HCL Technologies.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Tiffany MacKinnon:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
I’m a person who likes empowering others. I lead my team with transparency, guiding and directing the pathway to success. I want my team to grow to their fullest potential, reaching their personal and professional goals in addition to the goals I set for them. Open communication and dialog are the keys to successfully doing this. Outside of the workplace, I’m a mom of two, Rivers, age 15, and Breezie, age 12. I have lots of pets and love dogs. I am a lover of all things outdoors and am happiest when I’m hiking on the trails. I love camping, running, and being active.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
HCL started when three buddies decided to provide IT services out of their garage. That idea grew into what is now a $13 billion worldwide footprint, leading the industry in IT sales and services.
What has made you successful?
I attribute a lot of my success to the people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with—mentors who have guided and shepherded me as I’ve faced varying pivot points in my career. What do you value? I value honesty and transparency in business. I believe it’s the people and the relationships that make up the business.
Which are the major services of the company, and how does the company get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
HCLTech is a global IT services and consulting company offering services such as application, infrastructure, engineering, R&D, digital analytics, cybersecurity, and business process services. To stay ahead, HCL relies on innovation through a customer-centric approach offering global delivery models, strategic partnerships, and employee empowerment.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture?
HCL believes in supercharging progress. They do that through their people, who empower their resources to lead the market in IT products and services. What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture? In my own organization, it’s my people that generate success. Each person was hired with extreme care, not just for their skills but also for their individuality and fit within the company culture here at HCL.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Innovation is at the center of all that we do, across all of our verticals. We encourage and excel in IT innovation, and we motivate our employees to bring their good ideas to the table across all levels.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
Team processes are at the core of HCL. We believe in building a customer-centric team that is focused on contract execution and customer fulfillment.
What are your responsibilities as Head of Global Supply Chain Services of the company?
I’m responsible for making sure products arrive where they are needed, when they are needed, and in the proper conditions to meet our internal and customer demands. I oversee all global logistics, material management, and supply chain inventory initiatives.
What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
My team engagement is the best part of my day. They are amazing regional leaders that make my job a privilege. They strengthen me as much as I strengthen them. The other best part of my day is when I get up and hug my dogs and family each morning!
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Finesse your elevator speech. Know your value and how to deliver it in 30-second blurbs. Surround yourself with leaders that exemplify the characteristics you want to embrace in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for support, and most importantly, find a mentor who is willing to invest in helping you achieve your personal goals.
