SBP028: The Benefits of Coaching for Finance Executives
Roger Knocker • January 29, 2024
SBP028: The Benefits of Coaching for Finance Executives
Do you know? Coaching can be a key driver of performance.
Want to know more about coaching and how can it enhance your business performance?
Our guest today, will break down everything you need to know about coaching.
In this of the Smart Business Performance Podcast, Roger welcomes Clive Kaplan, the CEO of GREEN MIND CAPITAL (Pty) Ltd. The company focuses on assisting executives, especially emerging young CA’s, in maximizing their potential and fast-tracking their careers.
Clive is a South African Charted Accountant CA(SA) with over 20 years’ experience as an executive director in both listed and unlisted companies.
He brings some interesting perspectives to the field of management. Having been involved at Director/Board level, he offers a wealth of wisdom on both the people and business front.
[01:04] Clive was, from the beginning, preparing himself to become an executive coach. He explains that Passion is important as it fuels your drive towards success.
[05:14] Clive focuses mainly on coaching the CA market. He has more of a fifth-dimensional view of the clients and helps them move from the manager space into the executive space. He also elaborates on the present scenario of CAs in the business world.
[09:15] The CFO is responsible for everything regarding finance in the business. Clive markets a 6-Session package which covers the important things that one needs to be aware of in stepping into the executive space.
[16:47] It’s all about the candidates and not about the company.
[22:22] Clive explains that not every executive needs a coach. If you do things differently, you can create different results.
[25:35] Clive thinks that COVID has turned the world into a digital space. It has created a lot of opportunities for the people.
[31:14] Clive elaborates on the key technical skills that young financial professionals need to develop. He / She needs to digitize the office of finance and then go on to help the colleagues.
Special Reminder:
About Our Sponsor:
KPI Management Solutions helps organizations to implement their BUSINESS STRATEGY and track the PROFITABILITY impact through to the Income Statement.
Check us out at www.kpims.co.za.
Download the KPI Spreadsheet for FREE for a limited time only.
Connect with Clive: At GREEN MIND CAPITAL website On LinkedIn Or email him at clive@greenmindcapital.co.za WhatsApp him at +27 72 280 6878
If you enjoyed this episode of the Smart Business Performance Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to our podcast.
Want to know more about coaching and how can it enhance your business performance?
Our guest today, will break down everything you need to know about coaching.
In this of the Smart Business Performance Podcast, Roger welcomes Clive Kaplan, the CEO of GREEN MIND CAPITAL (Pty) Ltd. The company focuses on assisting executives, especially emerging young CA’s, in maximizing their potential and fast-tracking their careers.
Clive is a South African Charted Accountant CA(SA) with over 20 years’ experience as an executive director in both listed and unlisted companies.
He brings some interesting perspectives to the field of management. Having been involved at Director/Board level, he offers a wealth of wisdom on both the people and business front.
Conversation Highlights:
[01:04] Clive was, from the beginning, preparing himself to become an executive coach. He explains that Passion is important as it fuels your drive towards success.
[05:14] Clive focuses mainly on coaching the CA market. He has more of a fifth-dimensional view of the clients and helps them move from the manager space into the executive space. He also elaborates on the present scenario of CAs in the business world.
[09:15] The CFO is responsible for everything regarding finance in the business. Clive markets a 6-Session package which covers the important things that one needs to be aware of in stepping into the executive space.
[16:47] It’s all about the candidates and not about the company.
[22:22] Clive explains that not every executive needs a coach. If you do things differently, you can create different results.
[25:35] Clive thinks that COVID has turned the world into a digital space. It has created a lot of opportunities for the people.
[31:14] Clive elaborates on the key technical skills that young financial professionals need to develop. He / She needs to digitize the office of finance and then go on to help the colleagues.
Special Reminder:
- Still confused?
- Don’t know your passion?
- Make sure to check out Clive’s Course to help you find your passion.
About Our Sponsor:
KPI Management Solutions helps organizations to implement their BUSINESS STRATEGY and track the PROFITABILITY impact through to the Income Statement.
Check us out at www.kpims.co.za.
Download the KPI Spreadsheet for FREE for a limited time only.
Connect with Clive: At GREEN MIND CAPITAL website On LinkedIn Or email him at clive@greenmindcapital.co.za WhatsApp him at +27 72 280 6878
If you enjoyed this episode of the Smart Business Performance Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to our podcast.
Discover how finance teams can move beyond reporting to lead strategy—turning data into direction and driving better, faster business decisions.
When did finance become the department of “no”? “No, we can’t spend that.” “No, that’s not in the budget.” “No, that’s not how we do it.” Here’s the truth: If finance is just a gatekeeper, it’s failing the business. Finance Isn’t Just About Numbers Andrew Brown put it bluntly on the FP&AI Podcast: “Finance should be leading conversations about the future, not just reporting the past.” Think about it— What’s the point of a month-end pack that no one reads? What’s the point of perfectly reconciled accounts if they don’t change the way decisions are made? Finance isn’t just about accuracy. It’s about impact . The Business Partner Mindset T he best finance professionals think like entrepreneurs. They ask: Where are we really making money? What assumptions are broken? How do we change the levers to hit our goals? They don’t just report results. They interpret them. They walk into the room with a story, a strategy, and a plan. What Johan Taught Us Remember Johan, the volunteer deacon who turned financial updates into action? He wasn’t trying to impress anyone with accounting jargon. He used a worm chart and a waterfall chart to tell a simple story: Are we on track with donations? If not, where are we falling behind—and why? It worked because it made the future clear. That’s what business partnering looks like. The Shift Every Finance Team Must Make B ookkeepers report. Business partners lead. The shift is subtle but powerful: From data-dumping to decision-driving. From hiding behind compliance to leading with insight. From “here are the numbers” to “here’s what they mean—and what to do next.” Your Move So, is your finance team stuck in bookkeeping mode? Or are you stepping up as a commercial conscience— the team that sees ahead and helps the business win? The mindset shift starts here: Stop asking “What happened?” Start asking “What’s next?” ________________________________________ This article is inspired by my conversation with Andrew Brown on the FP&AI Podcast – Episode 1: Finance as a True Business Partner – Beyond the Numbers.
