It’s time for Action.

I normally write about the challenges of Finance Leaders and their priority areas of focus. I share those thoughts and experience with you because I am passionate about Finance getting ‘out of the numbers and into the business’. Through those ideas I aim to provoke, expand, support and disturb – in a nice way of course.

It builds upon my role as an Executive Mentor where I am privileged to work with CFOs and Senior Finance Leaders dealing with these real issues through their own personal leadership journey. We’ve all been talking individually about the impact that a CFO makes in these volatile times so it’s time to step it up and collaborate as a group.

Today it is time to make that happen.  I am excited to announce our new CFO conference in Melbourne brought to you by The Finance Leaders Alliance. It will expand nationally but Melbourne is a great place to start. (more…)

Have you noticed that roles in Finance are in constant tension between Assurance and Professional Advice?  I tee’d up that conversation last month from a strategic clarity perspective (see my blog) but today I want to peel those layers back a bit. I think this easily relates to the metaphor of Yin and Yang and the affect when those natural tensions are out of balance.   (more…)

Here is an article that I commented on in the May CPA magazine (In The Black). CPA ITB – Crunch Time (May 13)

Firstly, I deeply believe you can’t shrink your way to greatness (ref Tom Peter’s). There is also surprising little discretionary spend to pull levers these days.  Even in very big organsations,  most spend is locked up in salaries, supply chain and fixed costs.   So…we need to take care with short and long-term impacts. (more…)

Deep down, CFO’s and Senior Finance Leaders essentially deliver two things – Assurance AND Professional Advice (to drive business performance). How we do this, makes a HUGE difference to the value we create, the people we work with and the influence we hold.
My concern in this conversation with you is that we sometimes get lost in the detail. (more…)

Hi everyone, I’ve been working with some terrific Finance Leaders recently who are all facing growing pains for themselves, their teams and their business. What’s exciting is that despite these tight economic conditions their businesses have all experienced significant growth and in some cases even plan to double in size.
That of course creates growing pains.

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Check out this animation from Daniel Pink for a new perspective on what motivates us and why organisations often have their teams uninspired. I’ve mentioned it before but wanted to paste the permanent link here for easy access.  DRIVE (more…)

Are you the Go to Guy or Gal?

Hi everyone. I am working with some fantastic Finance Leaders who are shifting their focus and impact. It makes me notice the paradox of being the go-to manager. You know the one, they are in constant demand for problem solving, decisions on priorities,  help with how-to and thoughts on what-if.

The paradox is that what made them successful might now holding them back. (more…)

I saw the new movie Lincoln on the weekend which was epic in many ways. A constant tension in the movie was the seemingly impossible choices he had to make. In a poignant moment, Lincoln discussed his strategy with a colleague who argued for sticking to his moral compass. At the time , I thought of the many board rooms I’ve sat in where we have had this same conversation. (more…)

Hi everyone. It’s my first newsletter for 2013 so welcome back and I look forward to BIG things happening for you this year.

Fresh on the heels of my December newsletter I was asking you to notice your action. That meant at the end of the calendar year to make time to look back (at what you achieved) and look forward (at what is coming up). It means being honest with yourself to recognise achievement as well as where you might be stuck. Please, don’t get sucked into busy work after the holidays and dive back into the same old routine.

This time, I ask you to look at your activity a bit differently. With Pareto in mind I want you to be really tough on yourself to consider where you create the most value for your business. (more…)

I love the new year.  It generates huge possibilities for what we wish to create. In our work setting this is akin to the brief and rarely delivered new years eve resolution.  Isn’t it strange that we need an event (year end) to crystalise action with a new focus.  I am sure that’s tied up with much of the human psyche but I cant justify that comment. I  just like the fresh start. (more…)