Reinventing Business with Pascal Desroches, CFO at AT&T

Welcome to the final episode of my limited series, “Reinventing Business,” where I am joined by Pascal Desroches , AT&T’s Chief Financial Officer. During our conversation, we touch on:

Navigating through adversity and financial uncertainties (2:34-6:20): Pascal highlights the significance of resilience when facing adversity as well as the importance of learning and growing amid challenges. He also underscores the need for leaders to have a solid vision, sticking to their core strengths and being prepared with contingency plans as unexpected situations arise.

Financial readiness for future business growth (6:21-7:48): To drive value and succeed, proper capital allocation is key. Consider Pascal's insights: the company invested $100 billion into technology, believing in future opportunities and using core strengths to make smart investments. Anticipating trends and abilities is essential to successfully building for tomorrow.

The customer experience (7:49-9:22): We're in a digital-first era where customers prefer online experiences. It's all about delivering essential services smoothly and keeping up with changing demands while offering a seamless customer experience that suits consumer preferences.

Emerging technology/AI (9:23-11:44): Pascal emphasizes the value of AI in streamlining operational processes, optimizing customer service and modernizing coding systems for greater efficiency and service quality.

Leadership (11:45-15:08): We hit on a few things here: the importance of continuous learning, keeping up with industry trends and seeking perspectives beyond company walls. Giving employees varied experiences early on is crucial to shaping strong leaders and fostering that essential growth mindset.

Watch the full interview below for more valuable strategies and perspectives.