Jana Croom on driving real value creation with economic profit

“From the shop floor to the top floor,” Kimball Electronics employees are laser-focused on economic profit.  Kimball CFO, Jana Croom, discusses the transformative impact of the measure on business performance and how it aligns the team on a shared goal of value creation. Jana explains how economic profit provides a comprehensive view of financial health and aligns decision-making and strategy across all levels of the organization. We cover Kimball’s use of EVA in planning, compensation, and operational execution, including practical examples like inventory management and capital investment. Jana also shares insights on navigating market volatility, balancing capital efficiency, and why it’s important for CFOs to lead well beyond the finance department. This episode offers valuable takeaways for finance leaders and executives seeking to sharpen their team’s strategic focus and embrace a value-oriented ownership culture.