#FinanceMaster

This week, Anders highlights how planning and analysis is not an isolated function, but rather a skill that should be used to benefit the whole company. To create a successful business, every operational unit needs the help of Finance. He suggests some steps to create success for the whole business in this next episode of The Softer Side of Finance.

When we strive for the best in forecasting, should accuracy not be something to aim for? Especially if businesses rely on this to achieve its goals? This episode, Anders explains why accuracy actually lies in the execution of the planning process, not in the plan itself.

Budgeting processes are often guilty of trying to achieve too much. This week, Anders highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to budget planning, defines the particular three phases involved, and explains how they differ in their focus and technique, but all combine to create ultimate business success.

What happens after your business establishes a solid plan and your strategic milestones can be seen glittering on the horizon? What happens if unexpected obstacles arise that prevent you from progressing along the planned path? This week, Anders explains why the feedback process created as part of your earlier hypothesis-driven planning should not stop once a plan is made, and why the path to success is both continuous and iterative.

This week, Anders highlights why the documenting and regular reviewing of strategy-related assumptions is the most important part of business planning. He explains why a hypothesis-driven planning methodology, and related assumption tracking, creates a vital agility that enables organizations to quickly adapt to changes in the business environment, course-correct effectively, and take advantage of new opportunities.

As Anders begins his deep dive into each of the commandments that make up the 'Planning and Forecasting Manifesto', he looks at how businesses translate their ultimate goal (their mission and vision) into a successful strategy, and stresses the importance of creating a coherent and intrinsically linked plan in order to execute that strategy. Sound straight forward? Find out why FP&A professionals have found it harder to achieve than first thought, over the years.

In this pilot episode, Anders discusses the underlying core principles of planning and forecasting, and provides an initial overview of what he believes are the ten commandments to plan by, which he will be individually diving into over the coming weeks.

As a follow on from last week’s interview with Marco Torrente, Global CFO of WebBeds, Marco rejoins Anders to unravel the fascinating world of digital finance and it's transformative impact on the industry. They navigate the complexities of the modern finance function, explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and examine the evolving role of AI and machine learning in finance, sharing their valuable insights throughout.

Marco Torrente, Global CFO of WebBed, discusses the transformative impacts of digital finance. They explore the role of AI, machine learning, and establishing a strong setup for transformation. They also highlight the importance of digital transformation during the COVID crisis and the need for finance teams to become strategic business partners.

While the potential of AI in Finance is as staggering as it is unpredictable, the adoption rate is still a work in progress. This episode of #FinanceMaster features special guest Adam Shilton, Founder of Tech for Finance who gives an overview of the world of AI-based solutions and their impact on the future of how we work. Adam also provides a deep perspective on this transformative shift, emphasising the importance of keeping up to date with new AI technologies.