CFO 4.0 Podcast

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In this episode, Hannah Munro is in conversation with James Owen, Global CFO, Profiles Division, at Kantar. James shares his expertise in financial planning and forecasting, shedding light on the nuances of the dynamic business landscape.

Also covered on the podcast:

• Importance of using market data as a benchmark for performance comparisons
• Strategies for managing the challenge of ensuring effective communication and understanding of financial data
• Leveraging Integrated Business Planning to improve forecasting accuracy and resource allocation
• The evolving role of finance professionals and the increasing importance of data science in finance
• Evaluating candidates for finance positions based on emotional intelligence and business acumen
• The value of scenario planning with ambition, realism, and prudence in mind

Links mentioned in this episode:

• James’ LinkedIn
• Learn more about Kantar
• Chief Financial Officer UK Flagship Summit

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, host Hannah Munro interviews Susana Serrano-Davey, a seasoned finance leader, and leadership mentor, as they delve into the art of successful one-to-one relationships. Susana shares her expertise and valuable insights on fostering effective communication, building trust, and navigating challenges in a CFO's role.

Key Discussion Points:

• The importance of structuring one-to-one meetings and making time for them
• Balancing power dynamics in the relationship between line managers and direct reports
• Finding your voice and expressing opinions confidently with both superiors and subordinates
• Dealing with difficult conversations and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner
• Supporting individuals through organisational changes and transformations
• The role of empathy and emotional intelligence in building strong relationships

Links referenced in this episode:

• Susana’s LinkedIn 
• Susana Serrano-Davey Training and Coaching 
• Susana’s Book

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, host Hannah Munro sits down with special guest Rob Brown, a renowned influencer and expert in the finance and accounting world. Together they jump into the crucial topic of building a powerful personal and professional brand within the finance industry. As they explore various strategies and skills needed to stay relevant and competitive in today's dynamic landscape, they offer valuable tips to help finance professionals thrive in their careers.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of personal branding and its impact on career success
• Understanding the three essential brands: Corporate, Employer, and Personal
• The significance of being technologically proficient and staying updated with industry advancements
• The role of people skills and business acumen in elevating leadership capabilities
• Bridging the gap between finance and other departments for a more holistic understanding of the business
• Practical steps to change and improve one's existing reputation within the industry

Links referenced in Podcast:

• Rob Brown's LinkedIn
• Find out more about Accounting Influencers
• Accounting Influencers Podcast
• Rob's Book: Build Your Reputation 

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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This week's episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast is taken from our most recent Financial Transformation Live session where Hannah Munro delves into the intricacies of designing an efficient and agile finance system!

Hannah explores the world of financial system architecture, the layers of integration and automation that are crucial for enhancing efficiency and connectivity within organisations.

Key Points Covered:

• Understanding the different options: Best of Breed vs. ERP systems
• Unravelling the layers of financial system architecture: Functional, Data Analytics, and Forecasting
• Evaluating the technical competence and capacity required for building and maintaining workflows.
• The importance of a data strategy and data hygiene in optimising financial reporting capabilities
• Top tips for successful finance systems integration and automation implementation

Links mentioned:

• July FTL: Designing Your Finance Systems Architecture
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions 
• Register for August's Financial Transformation Live session
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this week's episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro sits down with Clive Webb, a renowned expert in finance and sustainability, to explore the emerging role of the Chief Value Officer. Delving into the evolution of the CFO role and its connection to ESG and sustainability practices.

Together, they uncover the following key topics: 

• Understanding the Chief Value Officer: Is it an extension of the CFO role or a distinct position? 
• The Challenge of Measuring Value: Navigating the complexities of ESG metrics and reporting. 
• Long-Term Thinking: Balancing short-term financial gains with sustainable, future-oriented decisions. 
•  Educating the Organisation: The need to inform stakeholders about the broader concept of value. 
• Bridging the Perception Gap: Addressing the disparity between public perception and the CFO's actual role. 
• The Future of Finance Talent: Exploring the need to cultivate the next generation of finance leaders. 

Links referenced in Podcast: 

• Clive's LinkedIn
• Learn more about the ACCA
• Chief Value Officer - the important evolution of the CFO report

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Bill Fink, Executive Vice President at TD Bank, and they delve into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment strategies!
Bill, an expert in the field, shares valuable insights and trends that are shaping the current business landscape. From the impact of rising interest rates to the opportunities emerging in the middle market, they explore key topics that CFOs and business leaders should be considering right now.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The ripple effect of interest rate hikes and its implications on the cost of capital, debt, and deal structures. 
• The importance of strategic thinking and seizing opportunities amidst a challenging market. 
• The potential for rebound in M&A and leveraged buyout activity as interest rates signal reduction in the future. 
• The value of private equity partnerships and how they can contribute to business growth and expertise. 
• Exploring the often-overlooked option of Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP) for business owners considering succession planning. 

Links referenced in Podcast: 

• Bill Fink's LinkedIn 
• Learn more about TD Bank 

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast Hannah Munro is joined by Hannah Williams, CEO at Alacrity. Hannah Williams is a recent CFO turned CEO, and during the episode she shares her journey, passion, and insights into the world of finance and entrepreneurship, discussing the power of embracing opportunities, fuelling enthusiasm, and driving growth in family businesses.

Hannah William's authenticity and wisdom shine through as she discusses various topics, including:

• The transformative journey from CFO to CEO and the excitement of new possibilities.
• Unleashing passion and authenticity as key drivers for success in leadership roles.
• Navigating challenges in raising the profile and brand of a startup.
• Valuable advice and perspectives for CFOs in family businesses seeking growth and innovation.

Links referenced in this episode

• Hannah William's LinkedIn
• Learn more about Tiny Rebel
• Learn more about Alacrity

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this week’s episode of CFO 4.0 Ilana Esterrich, CFO at Planned Parenthood joins us to delve into the world of sustainable transformational leadership.
Ilana shares with Hannah Munro her wealth of knowledge and experience in driving successful organisational transformations and highlights the critical role of change management in achieving lasting change.

Also covered on the podcast

• The significance of people's skills in driving successful change
• How you need to be good at communicating the "why" and aligning it with individual motivations
• Creating a sense of one team and fostering a culture of openness to change
• Importance of reducing non value adding activities in finance processes

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ilana’s LinkedIn
• Find out more about Planned Parenthood

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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Join us for the next session in our Financial Transformation Live series that will be a game-changer for finance professionals striving for a faster, more efficient month-end close. Hosted by Hannah Munro, this session promises to provide a robust roadmap for achieving a streamlined financial close in just 12 months.

This workshop aims to empower you to take control of your close processes and reduce the overall timeline. It's about more than just speed; it's about optimising your processes for quality, efficiency, and consistency.

Key areas to be covered include:

• The importance of benchmarking: Understanding this will help you measure your progress and inspire effective strategies for improvement
• Identifying Barriers: Every organisation has unique challenges that slow down the financial close process, we will talk about the most common barriers experienced during month-end
• Assessing Your Month-End: Develop an understanding of the overall health and efficiency of your current month-end processes
• Formulating a Plan: We will delve into the creation of a practical, achievable plan to help you reach your month-end goals in 12 months

Links mentioned:

• June FTL: 12 Months to a Finance Close
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions
• Register for July’s Financial Transformation Live session
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey
• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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This week, CFO 4.0 podcast host Hannah Munro is joined by Isaac Strulowitz, CFO at CoVenture who offers his unique perspective on risk management,  providing valuable insights into how CFOs can protect their firms against unforeseen challenges.

In the episode, we cover: 

•  Isaac's account of the SVB collapse and the proactive steps his team took to protect investor capital.
• Risk management strategies that have proven effective, such as creating redundancies, maintaining a robust disaster recovery plan, and evaluating all firm relationships for potential risks.
• Isaac's analogy of risk management to dental hygiene: ignoring it can lead to serious repercussions down the line.
• The delicate balance a successful CFO must strike, between budget management, operational duties, and strategic oversight.
• Isaac's concept of a "cockroach" company - one that can survive and continue functioning even after major crises.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Isaac's LinkedIn
• Isaac's Twitter
• Learn more about CoVenture

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!