Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter consolidated net sales increased by 19% to $637.3 million, driven by strong performance in both product and service segments [14] - Gross billings reached a record high of $953 million, indicating robust growth [13] - Consolidated gross profit rose by 16.8% to $148.2 million, although gross margin decreased to 23.3% from 23.7% in the previous year [15][16] - Net earnings from continuing operations amounted to $27.1 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, compared to $24.2 million, or $0.90 per diluted share in the prior year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Product sales grew by 13.9% to $521 million, driven by demand for data center, cloud, and security offerings [14] - Service sales surged by 49% year over year, bolstered by the acquisition of Bailiwick and increased demand for managed services [15][9] - Security products and services saw a significant increase of 24.4% year over year, now representing 22.8% of gross billings [8][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Telecom, media, and entertainment, along with SLED, are the two largest end markets, accounting for 25% and 16% of net sales, respectively [15] - Healthcare, technology, and financial services contributed 14% and 13% to net sales, with the remaining 24% from other verticals [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has transitioned to a pure play technology services provider following the sale of its domestic finance business, positioning itself for long-term growth [4][11] - The strategy focuses on delivering integrated service-rich solutions with an emphasis on AI, security, data center, cloud, and networking [4][12] - The company initiated its first quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and announced a new stock buyback program, reflecting confidence in its financial stability [12][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the strong start to fiscal 2026, with double-digit growth across key metrics and a solid pipeline for future growth [22][24] - The company is adjusting its fiscal 2026 guidance upwards, expecting net sales and gross profit growth in the upper single-digit range, and adjusted EBITDA growth in the mid-teens [23][24] - Management highlighted the transformative impact of AI on demand and the company's readiness to capitalize on this trend [10][40] Other Important Information - The company closed the quarter with a record cash position of $480 million, providing flexibility for growth initiatives and shareholder returns [11][19] - The effective tax rate decreased to 26.3% from 27.1% in the prior year [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the drivers behind the increase in adjusted EBITDA growth guidance? - Management noted solid performance across various metrics, with double-digit growth in net sales and services, particularly in security and AI-related areas [28][30] Question: Are large enterprise customers back to normal spending levels? - Management indicated that while there was a nice quarter with enterprise customers, the spending is still project-based and may not be a consistent trend throughout the year [32] Question: Why was now the right time to divest the financing business? - Management explained that the divestiture was a strategic move to simplify the business model and focus on technology services, capitalizing on market trends in AI and cybersecurity [38][39] Question: Are there areas of investment needed to bolster AI service offerings? - Management acknowledged the need to enhance consultative services related to AI and indicated readiness to explore both organic and inorganic growth opportunities in this area [40][42]

Career Development & Personal Growth - The speaker emphasizes the importance of building relationships and networking throughout one's career, including with professors, acquaintances, and family [1] - First impressions and maintaining a positive impact on others are crucial for future opportunities [1] - Continuous learning and development are essential for career advancement, even after formal education [1][2] - Embracing change and adaptability are key to navigating career challenges and industry shifts [3] - Mentorship and seeking advice from experienced individuals can provide valuable guidance and insights [2][3] Job Market & Skills - The current job market is competitive, requiring individuals to differentiate themselves through personality, learning agility, and a willingness to go above and beyond [2] - The speaker encourages taking opportunities, even if they don't seem perfect initially, as a stepping stone for growth [2] - Technology and social media have accelerated the job search process, but it's crucial to understand and utilize these tools effectively [2] - Remote work and the use of AI are becoming increasingly prevalent, requiring individuals to adapt and acquire new skills [2] - The speaker highlights that the talent from Jordan is excellent and many companies are hiring talents to work from home [2]

Networking Importance - Networking is crucial regardless of intelligence level [1]

Core Insights - The discussion emphasizes the importance of personal branding and networking strategies for professionals, particularly in the context of the evolving workplace dynamics and the rise of individual influence [2][3][5]. Group 1: Personal Branding - Many professionals believe that maintaining a low profile is a safer option due to concerns about conflicts of interest, but building a personal brand can coexist with loyalty to an organization [3][4]. - Creating a portfolio that showcases transferable skills and achievements, separate from the company identity, is crucial for professionals [3][4]. - The rise of in-house influencers in companies indicates that personal branding and corporate branding can complement each other effectively [5]. Group 2: Networking Strategies - Introverted individuals can excel in networking through focused one-on-one interactions rather than broad outreach [6][7]. - Maintaining a well-organized contact list with tailored follow-up schedules can enhance networking effectiveness [7]. - Engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds can broaden perspectives and open new opportunities [7]. Group 3: Company Dynamics - The perception that startups are more agile than large companies is not always accurate; large organizations can provide substantial resources and long-term investment in talent [8][10]. - Successful resource acquisition within large companies often involves proactive communication and relationship management [9][10]. Group 4: Institutional Knowledge - Relying solely on institutional knowledge as a core competitive advantage may be misleading, as such knowledge often does not transfer outside specific organizations [12][13]. - The shift towards individual empowerment and the decline of traditional organizational dominance suggests that skills applicable across contexts are becoming more valuable [14][15]. Group 5: Proactive Engagement - Waiting for the right moment to engage with opportunities can lead to missed chances; being proactive and expressing interest can lead to valuable insights and connections [10][11]. - Regularly assessing personal goals and aligning them with networking efforts can enhance career development [10][13].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, the company reported revenues of $2,260 million, a 5% increase year-over-year, driven by strong recurring revenue growth of 7% [15][32] - Adjusted EBITDA margins reached 50% for the first time in history, with adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1,130 million [16][32] - AFFO per share increased by 8% year-over-year, totaling $972 million, exceeding expectations due to strong operating performance and lower income tax expenses [16][33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company closed 4,100 deals across more than 3,300 customers, resulting in $345 million of annualized gross bookings for the quarter [6][27] - Interconnection revenues grew by 8% year-over-year, surpassing $400 million in quarterly revenues for the first time, with a net addition of 6,200 total interconnections [22][23] - The Americas region led cabinet billing, contributing to solid MRR per cabinet yields [7][34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a notable uptick in inter and intra-region sales, particularly in cloud and AI expansion activities [6][22] - The demand for digital infrastructure is being driven by trends in AI, hybrid, and multi-cloud strategies, with significant customer reliance on Equinix for these needs [10][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company outlined its "Build Bolder" strategy focused on capital expenditure for capacity expansion, aiming to accelerate revenue growth [10][12] - Investments will primarily target major markets generating over $100 million in annual revenue, leveraging established customer relationships [12] - The company anticipates a path to double-digit revenue growth as the "Build Bolder" strategy becomes fully operational [12][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong customer momentum and a robust pipeline for Q3 and Q4 [20][21] - The company expects to see a meaningful step-up in non-recurring revenues in the second half of the year, particularly in Q4 [16][38] - Management emphasized the importance of addressing customer demand signals, particularly in AI and cloud connectivity [70][72] Other Important Information - The company has 59 major projects underway globally, including 12 XScale projects, and has expanded its footprint in Southeast Asia with the acquisition of three data centers in the Philippines [24][25] - The balance sheet increased to approximately $39 billion, with elevated cash and short-term investments totaling around $4.5 billion [34][35] Q&A Session Summary Question: What helped the interconnection adds this quarter and expectations for future metrics? - Management noted strong interconnection performance with revenues up 8% year-on-year, driven by cloud and AI expansion opportunities [44][45] Question: What is driving strong bookings momentum to start Q3? - Management highlighted broad-based activities across regions and segments, with strong pricing and intra-regional pickups contributing to the momentum [48][50] Question: Can you provide an update on the timing to stabilization in the Build Bolder plan? - Management indicated that the typical build profile is 18 to 24 months, but they expect to accelerate stabilization through fewer build phases and increased enterprise customer demand [57][59] Question: What is the outlook for ExScale leasing in the back half of the year? - Management confirmed a strong track record in ExScale, with 85% of facilities leased or pre-leased, and a robust pipeline supporting step-up in NRR [94][96]

The movement we’ve created is insane.So thankful to help build this community and support the Tesla missionLori Gilbert, L.Ac (@lorigilbertlac):@theXtakeover did you know that 2 days ago you put on the best networking opportunity on Earth (or any other planet for that matter!?) My son Ari is already getting a @tesla HR rep reaching out to him regarding his interest in an internship at the Vehicle Test Engineering Org. https://t.co/igM7Q7Ils9 ...

Career and Personal Development - The speaker emphasizes the importance of consistent effort in unseen work, highlighting that the impact often becomes significant, similar to the evolution of platforms like Facebook, Google, and YouTube [1] - The speaker advises against solely focusing on immediate job placements after graduation, encouraging higher education pursuits such as MBAs, MTechs, or research, viewing job as a last resort and promoting entrepreneurship [1] - The speaker advocates for continuous learning and skill development throughout one's professional life, drawing from the example of observing and learning from other YouTubers to improve [1] Networking Strategies - The speaker stresses the significance of personal networks, starting with family, and maintaining connections with relatives, as these relationships play a crucial role in life, even after achieving success [1] - The speaker highlights the importance of professional networks, including colleagues and alumni, for learning and growth, emphasizing the value of contributing sincerely without focusing on immediate personal gain [1] - The speaker underscores the importance of social networks beyond social media, emphasizing community involvement and helping others, suggesting that giving back enhances personal achievements [2] - The speaker advises on the importance of financial awareness, especially for engineering students, and encourages learning about finance and making small contributions that can have a significant future impact [2] Values and Gratitude - The speaker emphasizes the importance of gratitude towards mentors and teachers, sharing a personal anecdote about a professor who significantly influenced his career path [2] - The speaker encourages a giving attitude, suggesting that contributing to society and the world leads to greater achievements and fulfillment [2]

5 LinkedIn Tactics To Build A High-Value Network Fast https://t.co/W82BDdAQAf https://t.co/W82BDdAQAf ...

Summary of Conference Call Company Overview - The conference call involved ePlus, with key executives including Mark Marin (CEO), Elaine Marin (CFO), and Erica Stoker (General Counsel) participating in the discussion [1] Financial Performance - **Fourth Quarter Results**: - Consolidated net sales were $498.1 million, down from $554.5 million year-over-year [4] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $43.8 million from $36.8 million in the prior year [4] - Gross profit rose by nearly 12%, with gross margin expanding 580 basis points to 29.3% [2] - Services revenue grew 33% in the quarter and 37% for the year, indicating a strong services-led approach [2][5] - **Full Year Results**: - Consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2025 were $2.07 billion, down from $2.23 billion in fiscal 2024 [8] - A 13.7% decline in product sales was noted, but this was partially offset by a 37.1% growth in services [8] - Consolidated net earnings were $108 million, or $4.05 per diluted share, compared to $115.8 million, or $4.33 per diluted share in the previous year [8] Key Growth Areas - **Strategic Focus**: - The company is concentrating on four key growth areas: AI, cloud, security, and networking [3] - Managed services grew 16.6% for the quarter and 24.6% for the year, providing predictable long-term revenue [3] - **AI Initiatives**: - ePlus is positioned to capitalize on AI growth, with offerings like AI Ignite workshops and a generative AI accelerator solution [3] - The company is the only NVIDIA partner in North America with both DGX-ready SuperPOD and Managed Service Provider specializations [3] Market Dynamics - **Sales Trends**: - Q4 net sales declined 10.2% year-over-year, primarily due to reduced product sales amid economic uncertainty [2] - The technology business net sales declined 10.4% year-over-year, reflecting lower product sales and a shift towards subscription-based services [5] - **Customer Segments**: - Telecom, Media, and Entertainment, and SLED were the largest customer end markets, accounting for 23% and 17% of technology business net sales, respectively [5] Financial Health - **Balance Sheet**: - The company ended the year with a record cash position of approximately $389 million, providing financial flexibility for strategic investments [4] - Total assets exceeded $1.8 billion, with stockholders' equity at $977.6 million [9] Guidance and Outlook - **Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance**: - The company anticipates low single-digit net sales growth, with gross profit and adjusted EBITDA expected to grow at mid-single digits [10] - The guidance considers potential impacts from economic uncertainty but does not factor in recessionary conditions [10] Additional Insights - **Operational Efficiency**: - The cash conversion cycle improved to 29 days from 46 days a year ago, indicating a more normalized supply chain [9] - The company is focused on disciplined capital allocation and strategic investments to enhance service offerings [9][10] - **Employee Growth**: - Headcount increased to 2,199 from 1,900 a year ago, reflecting growth in customer-facing roles [6] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, highlighting the company's financial performance, strategic focus areas, market dynamics, and outlook for the future.

Career Advancement & Networking - Networking is more effective than solely relying on job applications for securing better-paying positions [1] - 85% of jobs are filled through networking, according to a 2016 LinkedIn report [1] - Requesting informational interviews is crucial before applying for a job [1] - Preparing 3-5 questions for informational interviews is recommended, focusing on company culture, team goals, and expectations for the first six months [1] Gender Pay Gap & Workplace Dynamics - Women in the US earn an average of 82% of what men earn in comparable roles, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center report [1] - The document advocates for women to proactively create networking opportunities to address pay disparities [1] - The importance of assessing company culture and ensuring a "lifegiving environment" is highlighted [1] Actionable Strategies - Email hiring managers directly to request informational interviews before formally applying [1][2] - Use information gathered during informational interviews in application materials to demonstrate fit and enthusiasm [2] - Focus on "who you know" rather than solely on resume improvements [1]