Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Kirk Materne: Thank you all.

Operator: Our next question is from Mark Murphy with JPMorgan. Please proceed with your question.

Mark Murphy: Yes. Thank you very much and I’ll add my congrats. I’m interested in whether it’s possible that the volatility of this type of environment where you have so many vectors moving around inflation, interest rates, FX, supply chain issues. Is it possible that it’s coming together in a way that really elevates the Workday value prop with integrated planning, cloud-based, maybe more so than in the smooth sailing environment that we had in the last decade, because as Kash mentioned, you’re navigating your way through this very well. I’m just wondering if you see any effect of that. Maybe it’s increasing some of your win rates and maybe it builds up a little pent-up demand for some time in the future when the environment starts to improve?

Aneel Bhusri: Well, I guess, I’d start with I wish that was the case across the Board. We definitely see some — you see in a downturn, you see some movement to — well, I got to get on the right stuff to help me manage through these volatile environments. At the same time, there are other customers that are just cautious in making new decisions. And so I think they tend to balance each other out. I’m not sure there’s a — I’m not sure it’s a big boost for us or a big negative for us. We’re all seeing the same environment. But there are definitely customers who are behind on making the transition. I feel like this is a catalyst to make that transition. And then there are others who already made the transition that maybe think, ‘Hey, let’s be cautious on follow-on purchases. Chano, anything to add?

Chano Fernandez: Nothing to add.

Mark Murphy: Thank you.

Operator: Our next question is from Keith Weiss with Morgan Stanley. Please proceed with your question.

Josh Baer: Thanks. This is Josh Baer on for Keith. I was hoping you could expand a bit on the macro assumptions that are embedded in that FY 2024 subscription revenue guidance range. Just wondering what areas get worse? What stays the same when thinking about different geographies as well as new business from new logos or expansion and renewals from existing customers? Thanks.

Barbara Larson: Hi, Josh, thanks for your question. So the guidance range that we provided is our best view at this time. It takes into account the continued momentum across important growth areas such as customer base, medium enterprise, but also balancing that with lengthening sales cycles that we’re seeing impact our business, particularly our net new opportunities. So given the uncertain environment, we provided an estimated subscription revenue range with that low-end of the range, assuming a larger impact to sales cycles than we’re currently seeing today.

Josh Baer: That’s really helpful. Thank you.

Barbara Larson: You’re welcome.

Operator: Our next question is from Brad Zelnick with Deutsche Bank. Please proceed with your question.

Justin Furby: Operator, can we go to the next question please.

Operator: Our next question is from Alex Zukin with Wolfe Research. Please proceed with your question.

Alex Zukin: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my question. I’ll extend my congratulations not only on the quarter, but on the prescriptiveness of the guide, both on top and bottom line in what is clearly a very uncertain and tenuous environment. So I guess maybe just the first one, if we look at the patterns emerging in the sales cycles in the business, I guess, Aneel or Chano, can you guys compare and contrast this with — from a pipeline perspective going into 4Q, what are you expecting the impact to be in your biggest quarter on bookings on new ACV growth on — and maybe FINS versus HCM specifically where you feel a little bit better or compare and contrast that, I think would be super helpful.