Be EPIC Podcast

Brent Williams
  • 4.7 (25)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Be EPIC Podcast

Welcome to the Be Epic Podcast featuring Brent Williams, interim dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. In each episode, you will hear from guests that will inspire you to be epic. As experts in their field, they will emphasize strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship. This programming will highlight innovation and cutting-edge information that will leave you wanting more. Be sure to connect with Brent Williams on LinkedIn to join the conversation, access show notes and discover fantastic bonus content.

  1. Exploring Leadership Lessons from Award-Winning Walton College Students Kennedy Blair and Jackson Walton

    MAY 1

    Exploring Leadership Lessons from Award-Winning Walton College Students Kennedy Blair and Jackson Walton

    This week on the podcast, Brent connects with two remarkable Walton College seniors, Kennedy Blair and Jackson Walton. Both students are distinguished by their academic excellence and leadership, having earned prestigious awards; Kennedy with the Sam M. Walton College of Business Student Leadership Award, and Jackson with the Doyle Z. Williams Student Leadership Award. During the episode, Kennedy shares her journey from being an undecided business major to discovering her passion for accounting and securing a job after graduation at Credera in Chicago. Jackson discusses his path from Truman, Arkansas to becoming a finance and political science major and plans to join Walmart's Accounting and Finance Development Program after graduation. Both students highlight their extensive involvement in campus activities and mentorship roles, emphasizing how these experiences have shaped their leadership skills and prepared them for their future careers. They also provide advice for future incoming students who would be interested in leveraging their time in the best way at the Walton College.

    28 min
  2. Crafting Walmart’s Customer-Centric Supply Chain with David Guggina

    APR 24

    Crafting Walmart’s Customer-Centric Supply Chain with David Guggina

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent welcomes David Guggina, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Walmart. They delve into the transformative strategies and technological advancements reshaping Walmart's supply chain to better serve and meet the rapidly changing needs of customers globally. David shares insights from his extensive background in supply chain management, starting from his early days at Purdue University, through roles at General Motors, Anheuser Busch, and Amazon, before joining Walmart. He discusses the integration of e-commerce and physical store operations at Walmart, emphasizing the implementation of modern software and robotics to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. The conversation also covers Walmart's commitment to a people-led, tech-empowered approach that prioritizes both associates and customers in creating a seamless omnichannel retail experience.

    36 min
  3. Shaping the Future of Accounting with Technology Insights from Sarah Langham

    APR 17

    Shaping the Future of Accounting with Technology Insights from Sarah Langham

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent welcomes Sarah Langham, a partner and office managing partner at HoganTaylor and an alum of the Walton College. They delve into Sarah's journey from her education at Walton College to her professional growth in accounting, highlighting her transition from Ernst and Young to HoganTaylor. Sarah discusses the significant growth of HoganTaylor, her engaging role with diverse clients, and the evolving landscape of the accounting industry influenced by technology and automation. She emphasizes the shift from mundane tasks to critical thinking in the field, and the potential future changes in the structure of accounting careers. Join them as they explore how modern accounting practices are adapting to new technologies and preparing the next generation for a dynamic workplace.

    24 min
  4. Extracting Value from Multinational Perspectives with Judith McKenna

    APR 10

    Extracting Value from Multinational Perspectives with Judith McKenna

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Judith McKenna, former president and CEO of Walmart International. They begin with Judith sharing her career journey from law school to holding numerous roles within Asda and Walmart, culminating as head of Walmart's international business across 19 countries. She discusses the importance of building empowering teams and relating to diverse cultures globally. Brent and Judith also explore the changing retail landscape and priorities around continued growth balanced with preserving quality of life. Listeners gain insights into Judith's people-focused leadership perspective developed over decades navigating massive transformation in the industry.

    31 min
  5. Augmenting Artificial Intelligence Through Cross-Functional Perspectives with Varun Grover

    APR 3

    Augmenting Artificial Intelligence Through Cross-Functional Perspectives with Varun Grover

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Varun Grover, Distinguished Professor of Information Systems and George & Boyce Billingsley Endowed Chair in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. They explore the profound effects of AI on individuals, businesses, and society. Varun highlights areas where AI can enhance lives through applications in healthcare, education, and more. However, he cautions that without understanding how AI reaches conclusions, trust remains elusive. Brent and Varun discuss improving AI through specialized models, explainability, richer inputs and contexts. Varun asserts that augmenting human skills rather than automation ensures AI uplifts roles and fuels innovation. Listeners gain insight into AI's trajectory and its role partnering with instead of replacing humans.

    34 min
  6. Envisioning Progress Through Regional Cooperation with Nelson Peacock

    MAR 27

    Envisioning Progress Through Regional Cooperation with Nelson Peacock

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Nelson Peacock, President and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. They discuss the council's work in supporting entrepreneurs, recruiting businesses, and diversifying the regional economy. Nelson shares his diverse career path working in government, higher education and economic development and how he made his way back to Arkansas after growing up in Eastern Arkansas and attending the University of Arkansas. During the discussion Nelson shares his focus and the council's emphasis on prioritizing quality of life as Northwest Arkansas faces growth pressures. Brent and Nelson also explore the opportunities for Northwest Arkansas and the University of Arkansas to continue to fuel the entrepreneurial ecosystem and venture capital investment in the region.

    28 min
  7. Extracting Value from Every Opportunity with Olivia Meyer

    MAR 13

    Extracting Value from Every Opportunity with Olivia Meyer

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Olivia Meyer, a senior real estate finance student at the Walton College to discuss her internship that she secured from the career fair and how she turned that internship into a full-time role after graduation. During the episode Olivia highlights her campus involvement, goal setting and ability to constantly seek out feedback as factors that have helped her to achieve her goals. She also credits supportive mentors with empowering her growth mindset and pushing her out of comfort zones.

    27 min
  8. Managing the Dynamic Gatorade Brand with Mike Del Pozzo

    MAR 6

    Managing the Dynamic Gatorade Brand with Mike Del Pozzo

    This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent engages in a dynamic discussion with Mike Del Pozzo, President and General Manager of Gatorade at PepsiCo. During the episode they dive into the challenge of maintaining engagement with core and light Gatorade consumers, the importance of product timing, and strategies for PepsiCo's beverage and snack segments. Mike shares his personal journey from starting as a PepsiCo intern to leading Gatorade. He highlights the value of internships, and the benefits of having a diverse professional background. They also touch on the unique business environment in Northwest Arkansas and the comprehensive view necessary for successful brand management in the competitive CPG and retail industries.

    29 min
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4.7
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Be Epic Podcast featuring Brent Williams, interim dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. In each episode, you will hear from guests that will inspire you to be epic. As experts in their field, they will emphasize strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship. This programming will highlight innovation and cutting-edge information that will leave you wanting more. Be sure to connect with Brent Williams on LinkedIn to join the conversation, access show notes and discover fantastic bonus content.

Information

  • Creator
    Brent Williams
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Be EPIC Podcast

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