Speaker Series Make Up-2

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Arizona State University *

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MISC

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Management

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Apr 3, 2024

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pdf

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Uploaded by DoctorMask20803

Speaker Series Make up The Speaker Series that I will be summarizing is from November 9th. The speaker is Aaron Zielinski who works in corporate finance and is an alumni at Notre Dame. Aaron's narrative commenced with a reﬂection on his collegiate years at Notre Dame, characterized by a curiosity that led him through diverse majors until the intricate web of finance beckoned. Aaron got many different majors and educations at Notre Dame until figuring out he wanted to go into Finance. He started off by talking about the different projects that he has worked on in corporate finance. He started off by working at Ford in a rotational program. This formative phase served not just as a precursor to his professional journey but as a testament to the importance of self-discovery in carving out a fulfilling career path. The inaugural chapters of Aaron's career unfolded during his time at Ford, where he immersed himself in a rotational program that exposed him to the intricacies of gauging the impact of buyouts on United Auto Workers. Beyond the numerical aspects of finance, he emphasized the significance of cultivating a personal connection with the success story of the company, imparting a lesson that resonated throughout his subsequent endeavors. His experience entailed gauging impact of buyouts offered to United Auto Workers. The lessons he learned from working at Ford was that he gained personal association with the company success story and he learned a lot of valuable information from starting his career in a rotational program. He then started working at CVS Caremark he gained lots of experience from this career. He worked with a lot of people that were not in finance and had expertise in other areas to help manage a condition such as hepatitis C. His role at CVS was to manage a P&L (“Specialty Pharmacy”). He worked with clinical specialists to drive profitable solutions that were good for end patients. He loved working healthcare not only to maximize the dollar but he liked to do better for the patient, however he did not like working at CVS because he knew it wasn't going to be a great source of a long time career. He then moved to work for Stryker. Stryker has the biggest market cap out of Ford and CVS. Stryker provides stretcher products and hospital beds. The experience he has gained from working at Stryker was that he built an office then closed it, built a division then sold it (M&A). He now manages alongside his team operations organization of 1300 FTEs supporting $5billion in joint replacement in 2023 revenue. The lessons he learned was that culture is very important in a company you work for that is why he has worked at Stryker for 11 years. Stryker hires great people which provides a great environment. Stryker has enabled Aaron to embrace good leaders, learn from them, and become a better leader yourself. Aaron emphasizes the importance of finding the industry and career that interests you because then it wont feel like work. He goes on to emphasize the similarities across companies. He places a heavy emphasis on P&L Management & predictable results, Cash Flow, and efficient capital deployment. He holds decision power within Styker and enjoys taking time to make great decisions. He emphasizes that his career is very long-term focused, and increasing ability to drive strategy The further into his career he drives corporate strategy evenmore. Stryker has many different departments. Corporate finance also allows for a wide range of finance opportunities and paths that you can carve out (FP&A, treasury, business development) and it provides work life balance. He is more strategically driven than execution at times which can be important. He then summarizes some fun projects he and his team have worked on such as dealing with

prior projection based revenues on the number of selling-days in a month. He then went on to greater depth with his analysis for joint replacement surgeries. Aaron describes how there is a correlation between his home economics and the skills he uses at work. There is correlation between creating sensible business plans and projected P&L for his business unit and ensuring our home expenses dont outsrip our after-tax income. Also, investing in capital projects with the highest projected ROI or NPV correlates with paying down debt with the highest interest rate, or investing in highest expected ROI investment vehicles, also planning for a future large capital expenditure correlates with determining the right amount to set aside for a college plan for his kids. Some stray thoughts Aaron elaborated on was that once younger people join the workforce they have the benefit of being better with tech & systems than colleagues who are 10-30 years older than you and use it as your advantage. Moving into the workforce always involves building meaningful connections and not making every decision about money. Aaron's journey underscores the significance of self-discovery in shaping a fulfilling career. Exploring various majors and industries allowed him to find his passion in corporate finance. As you move forward, consider exploring diverse opportunities to discover what truly interests and motivates you. Aaron highlights the importance of cultivating a personal connection with the company's success story. This emotional investment not only enhances job satisfaction but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the organization's goals. Finding meaning in your work can lead to a more rewarding career. Working at CVS Caremark exposed Aaron to the value of interdisciplinary skills. Collaborating with professionals outside of finance showcased the importance of a holistic approach to problem-solving. Developing a diverse skill set can make you more versatile and effective in your career. Aaron's experience at Stryker emphasizes the pivotal role of organizational culture in fostering a conducive and empowering work environment. As you progress in your career, consider the importance of not just your individual skills but also the culture and values of the organizations you choose to work for. Aaron's decision to move to Stryker stemmed from a consideration of long-term career alignment. Evaluating whether a company aligns with your aspirations is crucial for ensuring job satisfaction and longevity in your chosen field. Corporate finance requires a delicate balance between strategic orientation and execution. It is essential to be adaptable and agile in navigating the ever-evolving business landscape. Developing skills in both strategic thinking and effective execution can be a key asset in your career. Aaron highlights the interconnectedness of professional skills and home economics, emphasizing the correlation between financial acumen in personal and professional spheres. Applying financial principles learned at work to personal financial planning can result in more informed and responsible decision-making. Throughout Aaron's journey, a common thread is continuous learning and adaptability. Embracing opportunities to learn from different roles, industries, and challenges is crucial. Being adaptable and open to new experiences can significantly contribute to your professional growth.

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Speaker Series Make Up-2

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