Additional Notes | About Adam | Bamboo Stats | BJ/Mike Meeting Recap
This appendix provides more context around some of Adam’s past efforts, additional ideas that didn’t make it into the main section, and further background to help deepen the understanding of the person behind this vision. While these details may not play a role in the first impression, they offer valuable insights into the depth of Adam’s commitment and experience.
1. Additional Ideas & Notes
While the primary pitch focused on key concepts such as dimensional bamboo lumber and technological upgrades, Adam has several additional ideas that demonstrate the breadth of his vision for Home Depot’s future. These ideas, while not fully fleshed out in the main pitch, reflect his creative thinking and long-term commitment to innovation:
• Expansion of the Bamboo Supply Chain: Adam envisions Home Depot leading the industry in bamboo forest management and carbon credits, creating an entirely new division focused on sustainability and renewable resources.
• Collaborations with Major Brands: In the future, Adam sees potential partnerships with global companies like Amazon and Apple, utilizing Home Depot’s renewable bamboo resources for packaging and product innovation.
• Complimentary Vision: Enhancing, Not Interfering: None of the ideas presented in this pitch interfere with or disrupt any of Home Depot’s existing business strategies or processes. If, at any point, Ann-Marie or Home Depot leadership felt that Adam or his ideas were not in the company’s best interest, Adam would gladly step aside in service to the greater good of the organization.
• Shifting into a Trillion Dollar Paradigm: Adam’s vision, however, remains clear: he believes that these concepts would shift Home Depot’s mindset from a $100 billion company toward becoming a trillion-dollar company, unlocking new growth, innovation, and purpose.
2. About Adam Weeks
With almost two decades of experience in web development and project management, Adam has led major website development projects for clients such as Hilton Hotels, Intel, HP, and City Colleges of Chicago. His work received consistent recognition, including being awarded an engraved plaque from Intel for his contributions to the launch of their public website.
Adam came to Home Depot in 2015 in a leap to transition into “non virtual” work, and has committed to making the most in a service-oriented career that undeniably serves the public. His experiences working on the sales floor give him a unique perspective on both customer needs and the company’s operational challenges, positioning him to offer ideas that are both practical and innovative.
More importantly, Adam has the heart and passion needed to drive these ideas forward. His pitch is not just about profitability; it’s about creating a future where Home Depot leads by example—both in terms of innovation and environmental responsibility. Adam’s dedication to this vision is evident in every aspect of his work.
3. Bamboo: The Sustainable, High-Performance Building Material
Sustainability
• Fast growth: Matures in 3-5 years, compared to decades for traditional hardwoods.
• Reduces deforestation pressures and captures more carbon dioxide.
• Renewable resource that supports eco-friendly building practices.
Strength and Durability
• Tensile strength comparable to steel, compression strength similar to concrete.
• Lightweight, reducing transportation and labor costs.
• Natural flexibility: Resistant to cracking, ideal for seismic zones.
Aesthetic Appeal
• Unique grain patterns and light tones suit both modern and traditional designs.
• Expanding applications: Used in bamboo plywood, panels, and composites.
Cost-Effective and Versatile
• Easier to handle and transport due to its light weight.
• Widely applicable in structural frameworks, flooring, decking, and beyond.
4. Summary of Meetings with BJ Powers and Mike Sutkus
Store Walk Ask: (11/30/21)
Adam Asked BJ for 10 minutes of his time after a store walk of 6892 Mueller. After reaching out, BJ put Adam in touch with his assistant, Wendy Childers, to make arrangements.
Wendy arranged a 30-minute video conference call with BJ
Adam took three sick days to prepare for and deliver presentation
The Meeting (Success) (12/22/21)
After positive responses from managers at his store, including his store manager, Linden Willson, and a prepared itinerary with slides, Adam presented an overview of his vision to BJ, focusing on a roadmap for one selected component, Home Depot Bamboo. In it, Adam laid the case for the idea, including evidence it could achieve an independent revenue stream of $50 billion in 10 years, establish Home Depot as the “#1 distributor of renewable lumber on Earth,” and was the inevitable future of construction. (Slides available in Appendix).
In the final minutes, BJ apologized for having to end their call due to his imminent call with store managers, stated he was “Inspired by what I’ve seen here today,” that Adam should be proud of his presentation, and noting his pending vacation, said “Let’s loop back around when I get back and get this off the ground.”
BJ Check-In Phone Call (2/15/22)
BJ explains “there are a few hoops first” regarding Adam’s request to present to Ann-Marie, that he’s putting him in touch with Mike Sutkus, and said he’d have Courtney contact Adam about “paid leave.” He reaffirmed “this IS a really good idea!”
Courtney Meeting (2/17/22)
Courtney called Adam to discuss options for arranging paid leave, though concluded there was no LOA SOP to handle this scenario at that time.
Mike Meeting (2/25/22)
Mike squashed all Adam’s concerns that the obstacles to HDB would be too great.
In a 53 minute call, Mike affirmed the benefits of bamboo lumber, the likelihood that it would be heavily used in the future, and said “if [HDB] gets produced, I’ll be the first to put it on my shelves.”
In the call, Adam discussed (and resolved) obstacles at length, gained insights into the lumber supply chain and forestry markets, and gained reassurance on the viability of HDB.
Mike concluded that he was “a lumber guy” and not sure how he could help. He suggested Adam return to BJ though his “door was always open.”
Adam received overwhelming validation through his initial encounters with Home Depot “corporate,” and decided to “pause and consider” his options, clarify his request, and communicated that to BJ.
Realizing his aim was Ann-Marie, he established a project to reach her.
5. The Role of this Appendix
While this appendix offers valuable context, it is not meant to replace the face-to-face conversation that Adam hopes to have with Anne-Marie. The goal of the primary pitch is to secure that conversation, where Adam can showcase the full scope of his vision. This appendix serves only as additional support, providing background that helps clarify and deepen understanding of the broader picture.