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.
Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) refers to a core corporate function that drives informed decision-making through budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, variance analysis, and performance management. Unlike general accounting, which focuses on historical transactions and compliance, FP&A plays a forward-looking and strategic role within organisations. It transforms financial data into actionable insights that guide corporate strategies. At its core, FP&A is concerned with understanding the financial implications of business activities. It creates visibility across departments, enabling leadership to align resources with organisational goals. While traditional accounting departments close the books and ensure compliance, FP&A teams are tasked with answering questions such as, "What will happen next quarter?" and "How can we reallocate capital to drive growth?"
In the world of finance, numbers tell a story. However, that story is often buried beneath layers of spreadsheets and complex datasets. For financial professionals, the challenge is not just about understanding these numbers but also presenting them in a way that drives decision-making and inspires action. Enter data visualisation – the art of transforming data into clear, compelling visuals. Among the tools that have proven especially powerful are the line graph and the waterfall chart. These visuals help finance teams translate dry statistics into impactful narratives. In this article, we explore how these graphs can transform financial storytelling. The Importance of Data Visualisation in Finance Finance professionals are accustomed to handling vast amounts of data, from profit margins and revenue growth to expense tracking and risk assessments. Yet, presenting these figures effectively to stakeholders is a different ballgame. Visualisation simplifies this process, turning complex data sets into accessible insights. When done correctly, data visualisation: Enhances comprehension: Humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, making it easier for stakeholders to grasp key information quickly. Drives decision-making: Clear and compelling visuals help executives make informed decisions without wading through dense reports. Highlights trends and outliers: Visual tools can bring hidden trends and anomalies to light, prompting timely actions. Improves understanding and communication with business - Business doesn't always get what Finance is trying to communicate and good visualisations go a long way to bridging the gap. Better communication improves alignment to strategic financial goals. The line Graph: Unravelling Trends Over Time The line graph, also known as a stream graph or a stacked area graph, is a powerful tool for visualising changes in data over time. It is especially effective in showing how multiple categories contribute to an overall trend. In finance, line graphs can illustrate revenue streams, expense categories, or investment performance in a visually engaging manner. Use Case: Revenue Streams Analysis Imagine a financial report for a company with diverse revenue streams, such as product sales, services, and subscriptions. A line graph can display how each stream has evolved, highlighting peaks and troughs. The thickness of each ‘line’ represents the contribution of that revenue stream to the total, making it easy to spot which areas drive growth. Benefits of line Graphs: Trends Made Simple: Displays how multiple components evolve over time. Visual Impact: The fluid, organic design makes it easier to follow changes. Comparative Insight: Helps compare different categories intuitively. The Waterfall Chart: Bridging the Gap Between Figures Waterfall charts excel at breaking down the cumulative effect of sequential data points, making them ideal for financial analysis. They help bridge the gap between figures by showing how individual elements contribute to a total. Commonly used in profit and loss statements, budget analysis, and variance reports, these charts provide clarity in understanding how specific actions impact the bottom line. Use Case: Profit and Loss Analysis A financial analyst preparing a quarterly report might use a waterfall chart to demonstrate how various factors—like increased sales, higher marketing spend, and cost savings—impacted net profit. The chart’s structure, with its clear progression from starting figures to the final result, makes it easy for stakeholders to follow the financial narrative. Benefits of Waterfall Charts: Clarity: Simplifies complex financial data by showing individual contributions to total figures. Transparency: Clearly distinguishes between positive and negative impacts. Decision Support: Helps executives understand the key drivers of financial performance. Choosing the Right Visual for the Right Data Selecting the appropriate visual tool depends on the story you want to tell: Use line graphs for illustrating trends across multiple categories over time. Opt for waterfall charts when you need to detail the step-by-step impact of specific factors on an overall financial figure. By mastering these tools, finance professionals can enhance their storytelling, transforming raw data into insights that drive strategic decisions. Conclusion: From Data to Decisions The ability to visualise data effectively is a powerful advantage. The line graph and waterfall chart are more than just visual aids—they are essential tools for financial professionals looking to make data-driven decisions that resonate with stakeholders. By adopting these techniques, finance teams can turn numbers into narratives that not only inform but also inspire action. In the end, the power of finance lies not just in analysing data but in presenting it with impact.
