CFO.University

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Leading and Developing Your People

Katharine Halpin, a former CPA who uses simple and practical methods to bring out the best in other people, teaches how accountability and alignment are the keys to creating a great culture in this episode of CFO Talk. She shares the 9 habits required to be a strategic leader in addition to other valuable stories during this 18 minute episode.

Katharine Halpin
Managing Partner of Halpin Lenard & Partners

CFO.University

CFO TALK - Evaluating Our Most Valuable Resource with Dave Bookbinder

Dave Bookbinder, a business valuation expert, author of the new ROI Return on Individuals and host of the Behind the Number show delivers an insightful message on how leaders can manage their talent as their most important asset, rather than the traditional method of treating talent as an expense. In fact, Dave argues our accounting methods in general do a poor job of capturing the true value of human capital. Watch Dave’s CFO Talk for more on evaluating our most valuable resource.

Dave Bookbinder
Executive Director of Valuation Services at hfco

Steve Rosvold
Founder and Chief Learning Officer at CFO.University

Is Blockchain Even Ready For Mass Adoption?: Blockchain is a foundational technology that has the potential to transform business as we know it on a scale like what we’ve seen it with the Internet. Those are not my words but words from respected Harvard professors. However, to date there are few use cases and critics would say that the technology has serious limitations. That’s why in my on-going series about “Blockchain Opportunities And Risks For Finance” I have now teamed up with Kunal Patel to discuss the prospects of mass adoption of Blockchain based applications and business models and not least, of course, the potential impact on the finance function.
Anders Liu-Lindberg
Partner - Implement Consulting Group

Jim Grew
The Grew Company

Since 1993, Jim Grew has been assisting mid-size organizations to improve effectiveness and performance, delivering these building blocks for success:

Strategic company plans that inform daily operations
Goals-driven team cultures that hang on to improvements
Effective Key Executive Teams
Systematic process improvement
Consistent sustained performance growth

Jim, a Stanford MBA works closely with you and your key executives to give you a competitive edge. Together you will:

Clarify current problems and opportunities company-wide
Build an improvement plan that the business can afford
Mentor your executives to assure execution of the plan

Andrea Jones
Andrea Jones Consulting

“AJC aligns strategy to execution to help companies increase revenue. We utilize good process in accomplishing this goal, and inspire you to disrupt your industry! Clients range from start-ups to established firms to companies preparing for transition. Favorite word in the English language? “DONE.“

Three Phase 12-Week “SAE” Process: 1. Strategy - 4 Weeks: Data Analysis, Articulate Strategy, Define Execution Initiatives, Metrics, Owners 2. Align - 4 Weeks: Create Implementation Plans with Accountable Teams for Alignment 3. Execute- 4 Weeks: Begin Execution to plan with Teams, regular accountability, and guided transition to internal owners” (Optional: 3-6 Months of ongoing Project Management Support)

Tools Used: Operational, Financial, Organizational Health Data Review, Strategy Deployment Matrix, Prioritization Matrix, Implementation Plans, Standard Meeting Agendas, Meeting Minutes, Decision Logs, Action Trackers, Parking Lot Lists

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.

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.

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.

Self-Awareness - Internal.

Team Building - External.

Strategy & Culture – Motivate people to follow you.

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

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