Why do so many leadership meetings turn into debates over whose spreadsheet is correct instead of focusing on making better business decisions?

In this episode of The Lion's Den Podcast, host Lou Augier sits down with Akshaya Gurumarthi, a supply chain transformation expert, to uncover the hidden "spreadsheet underground"—the countless spreadsheets, reports, and personal tracking systems that keep businesses running but often create misalignment between departments.

Together, they discuss why spreadsheet culture exists, how it impacts communication between finance, operations, purchasing, production, and logistics teams, and what organizations can do to build trust, improve collaboration, and make faster, more strategic decisions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why employees create spreadsheets outside the ERP system
When helpful spreadsheets become barriers to organizational alignment
Why meetings turn into debates instead of decision-making sessions
How different departments interpret the same data differently
The importance of strategic alignment over perfect data
Practical ways leaders can build trust around shared information
How cross-functional communication leads to better business outcomes
Why visibility is different from authority—and why both matter

Whether you're an executive, operations leader, supply chain professional, finance manager, or anyone responsible for making data-driven decisions, this conversation offers practical insights for improving collaboration across your organization.

Connect with Akshaya Gurumarthi:
▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshayagurumar...

If you've ever sat through a meeting where the discussion became "Those aren't the numbers I have," this episode is for you.

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