Name: Waqas Ahmed
Age: 37
Job Title: Vice President – Digital Merchandising
Company: Conn’s HomePlus
Years in the Industry: 14
Education: B.S. – General Studies
Dealerscope’s 40 Under 40 Honoree 2021
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
I have been with Conn’s HomePlus since 2008. When I first started with the company, the company had approximately 65 showrooms operating in three states. Today, we have over 150 showrooms in 15 states. It’s a great feeling to be part of a company that is growing, enhancing our customers’ lives and servicing our communities.
What do you like best about your job?
I have a passion for technology. The best part about my job is I get to experience and stay up to date on the latest technology.
What technology are you most excited about at the moment?
5G technology is just starting to take off. 5G tech, with lower latency, higher capacity and increased bandwidth compared to 4G will have a far-reaching impact on how people live, work, play. It’s a real breakthrough for the massive Internet of Things (IoT).
Who in the CE or technology industry do you look up to, and why?
I am a fan of Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos. They both built two of the most valuable companies in the world by putting relentless focus on the customer. I believe a customer-first mentality must be embedded in an organization’s DNA for it to grow and thrive.
What, in your opinion, is necessary for the CE/technology industry to thrive in the next five years?
Innovation and new technology have always driven the CE industry. As long as new technology continues to enhance people’s lives in a meaningful way, it will continue to drive the CE industry. Emerging tech, such as 5G, Extended Reality (XR), AI and Blockchain, will change the world as we know it today.
