TouchTunes

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who’s a CEO. This month we spotlight W. Ross Honey, , CEO of TouchTunes (the largest #digital jukebox company), who shares some insightful #career tips with us. 1) Who are you? What’s your headline? “I am the CEO of TouchTunes, the largest provider of digital jukeboxes and electronic dartboards in bars & restaurants (and a TA Associates portfolio company). My headline is “Passionate about building great teams and products that improve people’s lives”.” 2) How did you find/secure your current CEO role?
“I was approached by Heidrick & Struggles for the COO role of TouchTunes after their acquisition by Searchlight Capital Partners. I joined in January 2016 as President & COO, and became CEO a year later.” 3) What’s been the hardest part of being a CEO?
“Overcoming employee’s natural inclination to tell you what they think you want to hear, instead of what they really believe. It is hard to make good decisions when you don’t have accurate #data.” 4) What’s been the most fulfilling part of being a CEO?
“Working with a team to see something through from the kernel of an idea to successful #execution - that then winds-up positively impacting our customers & #business.” 5) “Everyone wants to be in the driver’s seat, but no one truly knows what it means to be in the driver’s seat (until you’re in it).” What does this quote (from an unnamed VC) mean to you?
“It means that when you are in the driver’s seat, you generally have limited direct control of the “wheel,” and it’s bad if you have to yank hard on it yourself. Ideally, you have the right people in place who are empowered to steer while you are #coaching / guiding them.” 6) What person in your life, living or deceased, has inspired you the most (and why)?
“In my professional life, it is Reed Hastings. I was exposed to him when we launched Netflix Instant Watch on Xbox back in 2008. His #vision, transparency, and approach to #culture have been my reference points ever since.” 7) What’s your advice to the next generation of business leaders, in 5 words or less?
“#Execution is everything. Hire well.” Let’s congratulate W. Ross Honey on his many accomplishments and thank him for the great #careeradvice. If you’d like to find a new #ceo #opportunity there are 230+ active CEO searches currently posted on ExecThread; see: https://lnkd.in/emCbDhSU #wisdom #inspiration #aspiration

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 In celebration of the holiday, our New York and Schaumburg offices celebrated big. The NY office looked out over the Manhattan skyline with a rooftop party at TouchTunes HQ. The event was filled with traditional Irish food, green beverages, and something sweet. The Schaumburg office had green candy and competed in St. Patrick’s Day trivia while playing TouchTunes’ St. Patrick’s Day themed playlists on the office jukeboxes. It was a great way to step away from our work and do what we do best: bring the fun together! 🌈 Erin Go Bragh! 🌈 #CultureCollective #TouchTunes #LifeatTouchTunes #MusicTechIndustry #employeeengagement #celebrate #StPatricksDay #green