The Better Finance Podcast EY

In this episode, Lululemon executives Meghan Frank, CFO, and Alex Grieve, CAO, engage in a captivating conversation with Myles Corson. Together, they delve into their pivotal roles in driving Lululemon's success, highlighting the significance of sustainability, customer connections, and technological advancements.
To kickstart the discussion, Meghan and Alex reflect on their unique experience of sharing the CFO role for a brief period, which ultimately resulted in the development of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between them. They emphasize how open and transparent communication has played a pivotal role in their successful engagement with investors. By consistently focusing on key themes that investors are genuinely interested in, they have been able to shape their communication strategies accordingly.
Recognizing the paramount importance of sustainability, Meghan and Alex proudly view it as an integral part of Lululemon's mission. They prioritize keeping investors well-informed about the company's progress in this domain, and specifically stress the crucial role of accurate reporting, including sustainability reporting.
Customer loyalty is another important aspect that Meghan and Alex address during their discussion. They delve into the various programs implemented by Lululemon to nurture and maintain customer satisfaction. Moreover, they emphasize that the very essence of Lululemon's DNA lies in fostering connection and building a strong sense of community among its customers. By prioritizing these foundational principles, Lululemon continues to cultivate and strengthen its customer relationships, reinforcing loyalty and further solidifying its position in the market.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.
© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, we are joined by Deirdre Ryan, Global Finance Transformation Leader, and Andrea Gronenthal, Americas Strategic Tax Transformation Leader from the EY organization, to delve into key findings from the EY Global DNA of the CFO survey.
The episode also features insights from two seasoned global executives : Joseph J. Wolk (Joe), the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Johnson & Johnson, and Nick Priday, the CFO of Dentsu Group Inc., who were  interviewed as part of the research.
During the discussion, Deirdre and Andrea examine three paradoxes that CFOs confront on a daily basis: balancing short-term and long-term value, navigating the tightrope between safety and boldness, and transitioning from a traditional skill set to assuming a strategic leadership role.
Enjoy this engaging exploration of the challenges and complexities faced by today's CFOs, and the multifaceted role they play in shaping the future of finance.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.
© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, Jack McCullough president of The CFO Leadership Council,  joins host Myles Corson to explore what makes an elite CFO.
In this episode of The EY Better Finance podcast, Jack and Myles dive into the world of CFOs, exploring the unique qualities that make them successful. Jack highlights that it's not just skills, but also personality traits, that can make an exceptional CFO stand out. Jack shares valuable insights on how to develop these traits and build stronger cross functional relationships. 
Jack emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of transparency where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and learning from mistakes. He also explains that as a CFO, it can be crucial to help everyone understands the company's goals and values.
In this episode, Jack also stresses the significance of establishing a personal brand as a CFO. This brand reflects one's expertise, reputation, and values within the industry. He discusses the role of a CFO as a storyteller and provides examples on how to create narratives that resonate with specific audiences.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.
© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode, host Myles Corson and Phil Shelley, Chairman of doc Stribute, delve into the significance of clear and consistent CFO communication across all business areas. They explore its role in attracting the right shareholders, stakeholders and employees, and highlight the actions taken by successful CFOs to foster effective communication. 
The episode underscores the importance of cultivating the right organizational culture to effectively execute a company's mission and vision. Without effectively communicating these goals, CFOs and their organizations risk attracting the wrong investors and talent, especially in a market where prospective employees and shareholders prioritize understanding the culture they will be a part of.
The episode also discusses the role of technology in the business world and the need for organizations to strike a balance between maintaining alignment and adopting new technologies into daily employee tasks. They also discuss Mergers and Acquisitions, emphasizing that transparent communication, regarding the acquisition's objectives, can be crucial for smooth transactions of this nature.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.
© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Perry Wiggins, CFO at AQPC, discusses technology’s impact on finance and what it means to be a human CFO. 
As the chief financial officer (CFO) for American Productivity and Quality and Productivity Center (AQPC), Perry Wiggins leads the finance and accounting teams, as well as servesserving as a member of the executive team. His career before AQPC centered on the health care and non-profit sectors.  

While there is often a substantial focus on technology and its impact on finance, Perry is passionate about using technology as a tool and an enabler, but not forgetting the human dimension and the idea of the “human CFO.” Through his experience, Perry has realized that he can find a way to be a good steward of the organization, a great financial leader, but also be mindful of the impact that his decisions have on people's lives. 

Perry shares perspectives on the findings from the APQC 2023 Financial Management Priorities survey, including why he expects to see the number of organizations using advanced data visualization tools to rise rapidly from the current 15%.  
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.
© 2024 Ernst & Young Global Limited

In this episode of the Better Finance podcast, Noah Barsky, Professor at Villanova University, joins host Myles Corson to explore the impact of AI across finance function.
Host Myles Corson talks to Noah Barsky, a professor at Villanova University, about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the finance function. Noah brings his insights from an article he wrote for Forbes and a survey conducted by EY teams.
Noah dives into the exciting opportunities and challenges that AI presents in finance. He highlights why senior leaders in the C-suite and boards should have meaningful discussions about incorporating AI into their operations. However, many organizations can struggle with this because of distractions and ineffective leadership.
Noah explains what can make a true leader — someone with the ability to think critically, communicate clearly and have a strong sense of purpose. He emphasizes the importance of leaders who can guide their teams, make informed decisions and build trust. He also warns against being dependent on specialized knowledge, as it can hinder decision-making and hold back progress.
Noah stresses that successful AI adoption can require not only understanding the business, but also anticipating future outcomes. He emphasizes the role of bold leadership in setting clear goals and creating a practical plan to achieve them. Additionally, Noah underlines the need for a culture that encourages open discussions about effectively integrating AI into company practices.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of EY or any other organization.
© 2023 Ernst & Young Global Limited