CFO THOUGHT LEADER

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A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

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Bruce Hartman, former CFO of notable companies like Footlocker and Yankee Candle, reflects back on his early career experiences. His first significant role as a controller in a department store division taught him two vital lessons: to rely on facts over opinions and to balance visionary thinking with attention to detail. Hartman emphasized the importance of understanding and analyzing details for effective decision-making. Later, as the CFO of a billion-dollar division, Hartman learned the importance of building a strong team. He identified five key characteristics to look for in team members: the ability to get things done, the ability to listen and learn, effective analysis skills, the ability to develop others, and a results orientation. These principles were instrumental in his success, especially in his first year as CFO, where his division led in financial performance. Hartman's career journey took him to Footlocker during a critical time. The company faced significant challenges, including a substantial debt and a risk of bankruptcy. Hartman's strategy focused on leveraging Footlocker's brand strength, disposing of non-core businesses, promoting talented internal staff, and bringing in new energy. His leadership and team's efforts were pivotal in avoiding bankruptcy and improving the company's financial health. Discussing his role at Footlocker, Hartman highlighted his dual focus on details and visionary thinking. He credited his success to learning from smart people and mentors throughout his career. Despite opportunities to move into CEO roles, Hartman found fulfillment in being a supportive number two, handling various functions beyond finance. Hartman's approach to retaining strong finance personnel during challenging times involved honesty, clear communication, and appreciating and rewarding hard work. This approach helped maintain team morale and focus during Footlocker's turnaround. After Footlocker, Hartman transitioned to Cushman and Wakefield, a real estate firm. Here, his focus shifted from merchandising to understanding and supporting brokers. His experiences in real estate were a learning curve, requiring a new set of skills and strategies. Hartman's final career chapter before returning to academia was with Yankee Candle. He was drawn to the company's strong brand, cohesive team, and expansion opportunities. Hartman's career, marked by diverse experiences across different industries, provides rich insights into effective finance leadership and the importance of adaptability, team building, and visionary thinking.

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Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

Join us when Tom Hood recalls discovering his passion for helping accounting and finance professional to realize the collaborative and strategic power of group discussions. Learn why finance leaders now more than ever must achieve an alignment between skill building and corporate strategy to successfully advance down the transformation path. Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

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Featuring CFO Thought Leaders Few names are better known in the realm of multiplatform games than Unity Technologies. The software developer’s focus on “democratized game development” has primed the pump for independent game producers and led Unity to boast that its technology is already responsible for roughly 70 percent of virtual reality and augmented reality experiences. With few competitors in sight, Unity Technologies CFO Mike Foley says that the developer has begun to leverage a concept dubbed “radical transparency” that aspires to endow every employee with a generous look-see at the financials. As a one-time IT systems engineer, Phong Le has a finance career whose early roots run deep inside the technology realm, where today he serves as CFO of MicroStrategy—one of the data world’s pioneering innovators. Join us to hear Phong explain how burgeoning data insights are summoning finance leaders to become the organizational catalyst for quicker business decision-making. Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

A brief summary of this episode

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

A brief summary of this episode

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: http://bit.ly/2Ga5Vfq

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

Click Link below to access your free e-BOOK featuring 25 of our CFO THOUGHT LEADERs https://lnkd.in/ergf3CD

More finance leaders are discovering how greater numeric transparency across the organization can have a positive impact on employee engagement and morale. CFO Phong Le tells us just which numbers should be shared and how they should be shared is what may distinguishes one CFO’s brand of leadership from another’s. Phong Le's background: Started as an engineer, moved to business school, then finance consultancy. He highlights the importance of diverse backgrounds for credibility and leadership. Career trajectory: Worked in IT, transitioned to financial planning and analysis (FP&A), led finance at various companies like Nexel International and EXO Communications, finally becoming CFO at MicroStrategy. Finance's evolution: Emphasizes the shift from a budgeting/cost-cutting role to a strategic business partner, using data transparency, sharable dashboards, and empathetic FP&A to drive decisions. MicroStrategy's focus: A pioneer in data intelligence, leveraging analytics and cloud technology to provide tailored, easily accessible solutions for businesses. Leadership philosophy: Advocates for transparency, evidenced by openly shared metrics across the company, creating a culture where decisions are driven by insights rather than just perfecting analyses.

A brief summary of this episode

Click Link below to access your free e-BOOK featuring 25 of our CFO THOUGHT LEADERs https://lnkd.in/ergf3CD

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: https://mentoringround25cfos.gr8.com/

Now access our FREE eBook “The Mentoring Round” featuring career insights from 25 of our CFO Thought Leaders: https://mentoringround25cfos.gr8.com/

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A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

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A brief summary of this episode

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A brief summary of this episode

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Believe the hype. ASC 606 is one of the biggest compliance changes for business since Sarbanes-Oxley. The new revenue recognition standard goes into effect at the end of 2017 for public companies and at the end of 2018 for private companies. The new standard is based on one overarching principle: When goods and services are transferred to the customer, companies must recognize revenue in an amount that is proportionate to what has been delivered at that point. Join us as Steve Giusti, VP & Controller, Xactly, reveals the path that Xactly blazed to meet the challenges of the new standard while avoiding added cost and time. Next, presenters John Dunican, CPA, and Ricardo Martinez, CPA, of Armanino LLP will explore some of the specific challenges that ASC 606 poses to finance teams and highlight a number of industry-specific approaches for companies inside the real estate, high tech, manufacturing, life sciences, professional services, and software industries.It’s no secret that the mix of skills and experience demanded by successful finance teams is quickly evolving, and at no time has the need to attract, grow, and retain talent competencies inside the finance function been more critical to finance leaders.

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