UA-151527870-1 523555891760046 039: Rethinking The Role Of The Modern CFO with Alena Bennett - Made For More

Episode 39

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Published on:

24th Aug 2021

039: Rethinking The Role Of The Modern CFO with Alena Bennett

10 or 20 years ago, the role of CFOs in the corporate world was pretty straightforward. They kept books and records for their companies, did financial reporting, and maintained statutory compliance. Interestingly, CFOs operated behind the scenes and made company decisions sorely based on budgetary reasons; all the other strategy implementation and decision-making were left to the rest of the C-Suite executives. But in today’s world, that’s no longer the case. 

 

Gone are the days when CFOs only had technical skills that revolved around financial reporting, compliance, and audits. The CFO of today plays a key role both in capital allocation and corporate leadership decisions.

 

Unfortunately, not many CFOs possess the crucial leadership skills needed to accommodate the quick pace of innovation and heightened competition in today’s economy. And sadly, not many are willing to learn these essential skills. So, what can be done the situation? Today’s conversation with Alena Bennett is centered around outlining the roles and responsibilities of the modern CFO and helping current and aspiring CFOs develop effective leadership and communication skills. 

 

Topics we Discussed Include:

  • Getting to know Alena Bennett (02:39)
  • Modern CFOs: A new type of finance executive (05:10)
  • Building good working relationships (07:15)
  • Why Alena decided to settle on the world of CFOs (08:12)
  • How CFOs have evolved from bookkeeping into corporate leaders (10:32)
  • Essential leadership skills for technical leaders (12:48)
  • People leadership skills for the modern CFO (15:45)
  • How CEOs can support their CFOs improve operational efficiency (18:28)
  • Dissecting Alena’s new Book: CFO of the Future (20:29)
  • Top 5 tips for leaders and upcoming leaders (25:20)
  • Temporal landmarks and goal achievement (27:15)

Links and Resources

Alena’s LinkedIn

Alena’s Website

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Drive by Daniel Pink

Connect With Ally Nitschke

Madeformore.com.au

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Get our Courageous Conversations Guide

 

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Made For More
Talking all things leadership, leadership mindset, goal setting and courageous conversations.
Leadership is an inside-out job. The Made For More podcast is the ultimate leadership resource providing advice on tangible and tactical skills to level up your leadership. Including your leadership mindset, to lead yourself, your team and your organisation.

The podcast interviews lighthouse leaders from all areas of leadership; business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers and gurus.

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About your host

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Ally Nitschke

Ally is a Leadership Expert, a Courageous Conversation Specialist, Keynote Speaker and International Radio Show host. As the Founder of Made For More, Ally works with leaders and organisations to build Courageous Leaders and teaches the art of Courageous Conversations. When organisations and leaders work with Ally, they Do More, Achieve More, and ultimately level up their Leadership and Business.