Webcast highlights
Dates to be announced soon.
While the U.S. continued to see growth through the fourth quarter of 2022, KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk cautioned corporate directors that volatility on the horizon will require “more cooperation rather than less” between and among businesses and consumers, companies and governments, and countries as the economy transitions to tackle inflation, slowing growth, and higher interest rates.
Speaking on a January 19 webcast with John Rodi, Leader, KPMG Board Leadership Center, Swonk discussed the following three factors for directors to be mindful of as they keep an eye on the macro economy.
Talent: “It’s hard to know where we are, let alone forecast where we’re going,” said Swonk, but U.S. companies won’t be able to move forward without humility and the acknowledgement that millennials and Gen Z are the “most diverse and most educated generation” in the workforce today. “Diversity aids in decision-making,” said Swonk, but added that management and boards need to expand their scope in order to accommodate a wider talent pool. “How are we addressing those who are still working at home? What about underrepresented minorities? If you don’t lean in, you can’t meet your diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments,” said Swonk. Moreover, workforce participation and education rates for men are declining. “We need all hands on-deck” to be competitive, she said.
33% Liquidity/access to capital/cash flow
31% Scenario planning
16% Capital allocation
9% Cost cutting
3% Third party exposure
3% Fair value/asset impairments
3% Hedging (commodities, currencies, interest rates)
2% Other
50% Inflation/interest rates
19% Geopolitical tensions
11% U.S. political gridlock
6% Employment trends/consumer spending power
4% Federal deficit
3% Supply chain delays
2% Climate severity
1% Trade barriers/tariffs
3% Other
*Among 679 self-identified corporate directors surveyed in advance of the January 19, 2023, KPMG Board Leadership Center webcast.
There will be one continuing professional education (CPE) credit available to U.S. participants who participate in the live webcast and meet the eligibility requirements. The webcast will last approximately one hour. The final CPE credit amount and the Field of Study (FOS) will be confirmed after delivery of the program..
CPE credit is not available for viewing webcast replay.
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