To our Ernst & Young alumni:

Globalization. No single word seems to be more prevalent in today’s business dialogue. As we converse with our alumni and clients around the world, it is clear that globalization is not only here to stay, but it is frequently seen as a “win-or-lose” factor that cannot be ignored — from the largest multinational to the emerging entrepreneur.

As a firm, Ernst & Young prides itself on being recognized as the most global among the Big 4. It should stand to reason, then, that we also have the most global alumni. Throughout this issue, we’ve asked each of our featured alums to talk briefly about the impact globalization is having on them and their organizations. We learned that, for some, it’s opening new and exciting doors of opportunity. For others, it’s creating challenges of, well, worldwide proportion. For most, it’s a combination of both. We think you’ll enjoy their perspectives.

On a somewhat related note (and at the risk of tooting our own horn just a bit), we hope you saw Fortune’s recent report on who audits the magazine’s 2011 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” According to Fortune, Ernst & Young audits 7 out of the 10: Apple, Google, Southwest Airlines, Coca-Cola, Amazon, FedEx and McDonalds. While that’s great news, it doesn’t tell the whole story. What the article doesn’t reveal is that all 10 of the top 10 most admired companies are, in fact, Ernst & Young clients. In addition to those 7 audit clients, Ernst & Young provides significant tax services to the 3 remaining members of the top 10: Berkshire Hathaway, Procter & Gamble and Microsoft.

What you might find interesting is that there are more than 365 Ernst & Young alumni working at those top 10 most admired companies. This includes The Coca-Cola Company’s CFO Gary Fayard, who just happens to be on the cover of this issue of Connect. We realize the powerful role that you, our alumni, have played in helping Ernst & Young become a global leader and the professional services provider of choice at so many leading organizations. We are deeply grateful for the continuing relationships that make this possible.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and the global view.