CIMA President Amal Ratnayake, FCMA, CGMA, who is also CFO of the Official Community Corporation in Canada, and Sherin Cader, CFO of the financial services industry group and executive vice-president at John Keells Holdings Plc in Sri Lanka, discuss the skills and experience needed to become a trusted and effective CFO. What you’ll learn from this episode: - How the scope of the CFO’s role has expanded. - What CFOs are doing to lead businesses through the coronavirus crisis. - Why CFOs need to communicate regularly with remote teams. - The importance of being an ethical leader to build loyalty and productivity. - The value of gaining experience in multiple businesses.

Financial Management (FM) magazine

The traits of an effective CFO

Tim Burghout, ACMA, CGMA, the head of finance and accounting for Metro China, a wholesale cash and carry, tells about how he built a playbook as changes due to the novel coronavirus progressed, why it’s important to take time thinking through decisions, and why we see empty shelves in supermarkets. What you’ll learn from this episode: - Burghout’s road map the past three months. - If he could go back in time, what resource he wishes he had. - Empty supermarket shelves — fact or fiction? - How consumer behaviours have changed and what trends will stay after the coronavirus pandemic.

After initial crisis mode, take time to reflect

Numerous in-person professional events have been shifted to online only, delayed by months, or cancelled in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. That doesn’t mean that we can’t strengthen connections with those we know or make new business contacts, according to Todd Cohen, a consultant, speaker, and author. What you’ll learn from this episode: - Tips for how to display presence on a video call. - Why presence “is the most powerful selling tool we have”. - The value of continuing to build connections despite a lack of in-person interaction. - The importance of specific questions in online meetings.

How you show up matters, even on a video call

Ankur Agrawal, McKinsey partner and co-author of “The CFO’s Role in Helping Companies Navigate the Coronavirus Crisis”, offers tips and insights on how CFOs can most successfully steer their organisations through the crisis.

How CFOs can create a COVID-19 crisis war room

When one country after another took measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, BrewDog faced a 70% drop in revenue because customers could no longer visit its 102 bars worldwide. The Scottish brewer, distiller, and bar operator decided to switch from producing gin, vodka, and rum to making hand sanitiser. Ben Press, ACMA, CGMA, BrewDog’s retail finance manager, explains how the international company managed to change production quickly and how it plans to survive the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19: From distilling spirits to making hand sanitiser

CIMA President Amal Ratnayake, FCMA, CGMA, and Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, the CEO of Bayport Financial Services in South Africa, discuss the traits of effective leaders and how they can get “buy-in” from employees to drive change.

What makes an effective leader?

Chris Clearfield, author of Meltdown: Why Our Systems Fail and What We Can Do About It, talks to FM magazine senior editor Drew Adamek about how the coronavirus pandemic is exposing complexity in global supply chains, trade, and economies. Clearfield offers advice on how finance professionals can improve their strategic decision-making in the face of this complexity.

COVID-19, complexity, and strategic decision-making

Byron Patrick, CPA/CITP, CGMA, knows what he is talking about when it comes to technology — he co-authored FM’s popular 2019 article "100 Quick Technology Tips", which included ways to save time when using email. In this podcast episode, he shares more advice on how to use email effectively: what to do, what not to do, and why you should think twice before sending email.

Email tips you don’t want to miss

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, companies in Asia have been dealing with supply chain disruptions and have implemented large-scale work-from-home policies to keep the business going. What can companies in other parts of the world learn from their experience? Guru Balasubramaniam, ACMA, CGMA, acting managing director of Rentokil Initial Hong Kong, and Arthur Yu, FCMA, CGMA, China CFO of Jaguar Land Rover, share what their teams have been doing to stabilise the business.

Managing coronavirus disruption: Lessons from Asia

Organisations that have agility built into their budgets are better equipped to pivot when needed, as when major events such as the spread of the coronavirus occur. They also will be more prepared for the next crisis, according to Steve Player, CPA, CGMA, the owner of consulting firm The Player Group. “This won’t be the last pandemic we face,” Player said.

Steering your budget amid coronavirus uncertainty

Organisations can’t simply wait and hope for the best when it comes to coronavirus response. Disaster planning expert Jennifer H. Elder, CPA/CFF, CGMA, shares advice in this episode.

Coronavirus concerns: Putting people first

Strong risk management practices can’t stop the spread of the coronavirus, but strong planning and the ability to adapt can help mitigate its consequences. For lessons on the short- and long-term steps organisations should take in bracing for the full effects of the global outbreak of the coronavirus, hear advice from Mark Beasley, CPA, a professor at North Carolina State University and the director of the university’s Enterprise Risk Management Initiative.

Coronavirus risks: The importance of preparation

Associate professor at Australia’s Monash Business School and chartered accountant Nick McGuigan, Ph.D., describes ways management accountants can develop integrated thinking — including through “social bubble hopping”.

Integrated thinking and how to develop it

Kris Curry, an EY principal in forensic and integrity services, talks about tools, frameworks, and practices companies have at their disposal to help employees, contractors, and vendors conduct themselves with integrity even in challenging markets.

How to encourage ethical corporate behaviour

Dan Crumb, CPA, CGMA, has been CFO of the Kansas City Chiefs for ten seasons, the last of which was the most exciting — the Chiefs won the US National Football League’s Super Bowl championship game earlier this month. Crumb shares insights on taking a simplified approach to innovation, the value of thinking like an owner, and the thrill of hearing a stadium full of loyal, loud fans.

Success secrets from the Super Bowl champs’ CFO

The Financial Management (FM) magazine podcast series features conversations with executives and thought leaders in management accounting. We discuss topics including governance, risk management, performance management, technology, corporate strategy, and leadership. Interviews are conducted by FM editors and contributors.

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