- The Data Gap
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- Enjoy this series of shorts on Metrics from Jim. As Leslie and I watched a sunset in Maui, the sky produced endless patterns and hues. Everywhere I looked there was a riot of color, swirling and changing so fast that I struggle to describe it, let alone remember it.
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Take Assessment Watch Video- 3 Tools to Avoid GSM (Obsolete) Inventory
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- Obsolete inventory is one of the largest components of inventory cost and often is larger and more costly than executives are willing to admit. Many suggest optimistically (and often sheepishly) that there is no such thing as obsolete inventory because it will sell someday. I have developed a new three-letter acronym for this to go along with JIT, RAW, WIP and FGI. It is “GSM” for “Glacially Slow Moving”! Studies related to inventory cost and inventory reduction prove that obsolete inventory does in fact exist, along with the warehouses, containers and trailers to hold it. Warehouse personnel will express how frustrated they are because the inventory takes up prime bin locations and gets counted, recounted and moved many times during its life. Most companies are busy searching for ways to return, sell, give or throw away obsolete inventory, but the important question isn’t how to get rid of it, but how to avoid it in the first place.
- Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call: Why CFOs Must Take the Lead
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- The incident involving CrowdStrike and Microsoft in the summer of 2024 was an event that highlighted the critical importance of cybersecurity in today’s business landscape. As financial leaders, CFOs play a pivotal role in safeguarding their organizations against cyber threats. This paper uses that event to outline practical steps CFOs should take to proactively address cybersecurity challenges.
Governance & Controls – structure and controls.
Transaction Recording – systems, transaction processing and closing the books.
Reporting - efficient, timely and accurate information for decision making and meeting compliance requirements.
Accounting
Business Planning - provide the financial roadmap for the company with supporting analytics.
Financial Forecasting - integrate the company’s current performance relative to budget with the real-time business environment.
Investment Analysis - the framework to analyze new opportunities as they present themselves.
Finance
Cash Management - the discipline to ensure cash is available to operate the business normally.
Funding - Planning for and raising funds to meet the needs of the business.
Risk Management – Identification and mitigation of key business risks.
Treasury
Self-Awareness - Internal.
Team Building - External.
Strategy & Culture – Motivate people to follow you.
Leadership
Four Pillars of Executive Expertise
CFO.University is built around the Four Pillars of CFO Success. These Pillars are supported with Core Competencies. Our framework allows you to master your role as a senior financial officer. The Four Pillars are made up of:
Accounting – Governance & Controls, Transaction Recording and Reporting
Finance – Business Planning, Financial Forecasting and Investment Analysis
Treasury – Cash Management, Funding (Capital Raising) and Risk Management
Leadership – Self Awareness, Team Building and Strategy & Culture
