Accenture CEO Julie Sweet spoke with Fuqua School of Business Dean Bill Boulding on November 8, 2022. The talk was part of the school’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

More information about the series can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/dss

Skip to a topic within this video:
00:00 Intro
01:24 What was your motivation to leave law firm and join Accenture?
04:39 What was hardest part of transitioning from general counsel to first CEO position?
08:39 What was surprising about the CEO role?
12:40 How did you develop the confidence to ask "Why?"
15:54 What is unfolding in the economy, and job opportunities?
18:23 How are companies investing in technology, and the talent to work with that technology?
20:29 How are companies making progress in use of AI?
23:33 Must companies work on basics of digital core, before using AI as a differentiator?
24:26 What does it mean for Accenture to invest in the metaverse?
28:59 Does the metaverse give us a long-term solution to maintain a sense of connectedness?
30:56 What are the diversity impacts of better training and child care?
33:39 What is the connection between diversity and innovation?
35:29 Is diversity a business priority, rather than a political issue?
37:03 How do you unlock the potential of talent (your employees)?
39:19 Why is it important to you, as a CEO, that business be a force for good?
41:52 How do you answer critical questions like, "Are you a woke CEO?"
42:55 How do you remain strong in your convictions that your approach is good for society and good for Accenture?
45:11 What does "sustainable business" mean to Accenture?
48:54 How do you assess willingness to learn in a prospective employee?
50:07 What have you learned about yourself, as a leader, during this challenging pandemic time?
52:02 Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?
53:11 What are your words of wisdom and advice to Fuqua students?