Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Bally Technologies.
Jean Venneman: Bally has been in existence for 80 years and is a worldwide gaming company that designs, manufactures, distributes and operates gaming devices and computerized monitoring, accounting and player-tracking systems for gaming devices. Bally employs about 2,500 people across the globe, including 350 in Reno and 950 in Las Vegas.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Venneman: My responsibilities include managing the department that creates the company's product plan and prepares new products for sales launch. In addition I negotiate agreements and manage relationships with entertainment licensors and third-party developers.
NNBW: How did you get into this?
Venneman: I got into gaming by accident. Not long after I graduated from college, I moved to Europe for a year or so. I took an office assistant job with one of Bally's competitors. After a few months I moved to sales. Four years later, I transferred back to the U.S. and continued my career advancement that took me through marketing, technology and ultimately running the product management and product development groups.
NNBW: What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
Venneman: You need to excel in strategic planning if you want to be successful in a product management executive level role. I'm always thinking about how to get the best portfolio of games as quickly and efficiently as possible. I also spend considerable time thinking about what our players may want next. Because I work with so many different departments, effective communication is really important.
NNBW: What are some of the important trends you see in your industry?
Venneman: So much is happening within the industry. One trend I'm particularly excited about is the increased level of player interaction with the games. Players want to be able to interact with and influence the game outcome. That's why Bally has developed products like the iDeck, a touch-screen button deck, and U-Spin, a bonus feature that allows players to spin a wheel by touching the screen.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Venneman: Most of my spare time is spent with my amazing daughters. I also like to run and participate in several races a year, mostly 10 Ks. I am on the board of trustees of the Nevada Museum of Art and enjoy spending time in the art community.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Venneman: First of all, learn the business. Understand how games work and who the players are. Within the organization, it's important to be a team player, have an opinion and don't be afraid to express it, take responsibility and never burn bridges.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Venneman: When I first started my career a dear friend and business associate had shown me by example that you'll never go wrong if you show kindness and respect to everyone you encounter, even if they aren't necessarily showing it to you. I think that philosophy has served me well professionally as well as personally.
NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?
Venneman: The ability to travel at the speed of light. I could get a lot more done, spend more quality time with the people I care about and skip all that time on airplanes!
NNBW: What does the content of your refrigerator say about you?
Venneman: That I try to be healthy, but there's not much in it so I must not be home often. The cheese sticks and apple juice definitely say I have kids!
The basics:
Name: Jean Venneman, vice president of product management, Bally Technologies, Inc.
How long have you been in this job? One year
How long in the profession? 19 years
Education: B.S. of business administration from the University of Washington
Best book you've read? I've read lots of good ones that have impacted me or inspired me in different ways. Recently I enjoyed "The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls. It's a true story that is as sad as it is compelling
What's on your iPod? I have a pretty wide range of music on my iPod. I have a mix of rock, pop and alternative for the gym; I'm loving Adele right now when I want to relax; Pink, Katy Perry and Black Eyed Peas are favorites for my girls and I to dance to.
The best movie ever? "Grease" especially since Bally is in the process of developing a game based on the movie!
Spouse, kids or pets? I have two beautiful daughters: Kaitlin, 10, and Olivia, 6
