This week’s Wall Street Journal article on AI's emerging role in earnings prep struck a chord.
As someone who has sat in both the CFO and analyst seats and now oversees product innovation at Notified, I found myself nodding along while reading about how investor relations teams are navigating this new technology.
The article highlighted something I've long observed: IR teams are chronically understaffed yet manage one of the most critical functions in public companies. Every quarter, these small but mighty teams orchestrate a high-stakes, complex process that requires absolute precision, perfect timing, and careful message coordination across dozens of stakeholders.
What caught my attention wasn't just how companies like Skechers and Ciena are experimenting with AI tools - it was why they're doing it. They're not looking for flashy transformation. They're seeking practical solutions to real problems: predicting analyst questions, ensuring message consistency, and catching potential ambiguity before it causes confusion.
This resonates deeply with my experience. As a CFO myself, I’ve spent countless hours with my team preparing for earnings. We'd pore over past transcripts, anticipate tough questions, and meticulously review every word choice. These weren't academic exercises - they were essential steps to ensure we communicated clearly and effectively with the market.
We’re excited for some big things in 2025 that will help IR teams tackle their most time-consuming challenges, while maintaining the security and precision their role demands.