The Proust Questionnaire: Samuel Poston

Each week, SSON introduces you to a member of our community by profiling one of our premium members. We set out to reveal that certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes them forces in their field through work and life experiences. This week we speak to Samuel Poston, SVP-Shared Services and Federal Government Lead, ScottMadden Pastor, Philanthropist or Patton - just some of the roles that Sam Poston can identify with. But what lies behind the man who has developed the internationally recognized ScottMadden Shared Services practice ? Who do you look up to in business and why? I worked for Jack Welch at GE and learned the art of management from him and other leaders on his executive team. They took a very complex company and kept the management simple, straightforward and results oriented. The drive to constantly improve productivity pushed for continuous improvement and kept the organization focused on success in the marketplace. Lastly, Welch placed equal emphasis on people as he did on financial results, which in turn provided direct support to the financial results. What has been your greatest achievement? I developed ScottMadden’s Shared Service practice over the last 15 years to where it is internationally recognized and rewarded today. I’ve built a practice area which consists of extremely talented and bright people who have served many companies in many industries. I also believe the ScottMadden Shared Service practice has had a direct impact on the Shared Service Industry as a whole. What is your greatest regret? Sacrificing family time for work. Can’t get it back. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Ask more questions, dig deeper. Listen more. Probably would have been a Pastor What looks like the biggest potential for you right now? ScottMadden’s shared service practice is competent across multiple industries. Allows us maximum flexibility. What is your favorite occupation? Philanthropist In 10 years time - how do you see your current operation being run? We have worked hard to develop a number of potential successors who will run my business. I don’t see major fundamental changes in our firm’s culture or our business consulting model Which management books do you read? The Daily Drucker, Good to Great, Flawless Consulting Who are your favorite writers? Peter Drucker, Peter Block, Lawler What car do you drive and what should you be driving? Lexus 335 now but I need a bigger car to make room for my grandchildren What's your favorite 10 minute dish that you cook yourself? Omelettes Tell us a behavioral trait we should expect of you Inclusivity Reveal one weird thing we don't know about you: Broken almost every bone in my body What one question would you put to your peers? What is the one change management technique you have found to be the most effective? What trait or quality brings the most respect in the consulting business? Integrity Which historical figure do you most identify with? Patton If your job requires a lot of traveling - what is your favorite journey? By plane, let someone else do the driving! What is the quality you most like in men? Sense of humor What is the quality you most like in women? Genuineness of the heart What is your motto? "It is what it is!" [inlinead]

The Proust Questionnaire: Samuel Poston

To continue reading this story get free access

Upcoming Events

The Future of Finance & CFO Exchange Europe

SSOW Autumn

Your Contracts Said One Thing. Your Invoices Say Another. Let's Fix That.

Powering the Future of Indirect Tax: Connected Compliance, Driven by Intelligence

29th Shared Services & Outsourcing Week Asia 2026

Benchmarking Your Shared Services Center: Where Do You Really Stand on Overpayments?

Follow Us

Latest Webinars

From 5% to 74% Touchless: How Motion LP Transformed AP Through Automation and Process Improvement

The O2C AI Gap: From Automating Tasks to Predicting, Prioritising, and Acting

Beyond the Plateau: Automating the Last 20% of AP Without Losing Control

Recommended

Egypt: The Next Country North American Shared Services Should Consider IT and Bu...

How Do Sourcing Objectives and Criteria Determine the Sourcing Approach ?

The Outsourcing “Conundrum”: Securing the Benefits You Expect

EP17 The critical link between digital transformation and GBS (Global Business S...

BPO = Business Process Outcomes [not Business Process Outsourcing]

5 Ways Your Business Process Management System Could Be Failing Your Back Office

"Parts Is Parts" - The Key to Differentiating Yourself

Tech Demo: Accelerating Invoicing to Overcome Workload, Speed and Regulatory Cha...

What Will Save BPOs?

Shifting to SaaS may not eliminate the “Technical Debt”

Offshore Engineering R&D Centers Will Continue to Flourish in Current Crisis

Play Nice, Outsourcing Providers. There will be life after COVID-19

FIND CONTENT BY TYPE

SSON COMMUNITY

ADVERTISE WITH US

JOIN THE SSON COMMUNITY

The Proust Questionnaire: Samuel Poston

To continue reading this story get free access

Upcoming Events

Follow Us

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter

Latest Webinars

Recommended

FIND CONTENT BY TYPE

SSON COMMUNITY

ADVERTISE WITH US

JOIN THE SSON COMMUNITY