Seminar On Cfo Strategy And Leadership Program And Exposure

INTRODUCTION

Are you a finance director or senior financial executive looking to elevate your leadership skills and strategic understanding? Our CFO Leadership Program is designed to develop the leadership and broader business expertise required of today's and tomorrow's high-performing CFOs. Transitioning from a controller or good accountant into a strategic leader involves much more than managing numbers; it requires the ability to develop strategies, lead teams, and drive organizational change. This comprehensive seminar is crafted by a former Finance Director with global experience and a strong background in management development. The program on CFO Strategy and Leadership addresses the shift from technical expertise to strategic development and leadership. A key component is the use of professional psychometric tools to help you understand your leadership style and how to effectively manage and motivate your team. Through a mix of strategic models, real-life case studies, and interactive debates, you will learn to choose performance measures that align with corporate strategy and communicate these effectively to non-financial colleagues. This seminar on CFO Strategy and Leadership prepares you to lead the finance function as a true business partner, driving value and innovation within your organization.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course on CFO Strategy and Leadership, participants will be able to:

• Lead the finance function to be a partner to the business.
• Link financial objectives and performance measures to business strategy.
• Understand your leadership style and link it to financial objectives.
• Evaluate the practical implications of investment decisions and acquisitions.
• Build and lead a high-performance finance team.
• Gain deeper insights into how the business model translates into accounting numbers.
• Meet the diverse objectives of investors and funders.
• Drive innovation and lead cultural change.
• Lead organizational transformation.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

This course on CFO Strategy and Leadership is specifically designed for finance directors and senior financial executives aspiring to become CFOs. It is ideal for those with a technical background as controllers, treasurers, or other professional disciplines who seek to understand the broader business and leadership context. The program helps CFOs develop strategic awareness and influence their organizations while maintaining key aspects of financial reporting and control.

Course Content

Day 1: The CFO as a Leader – Setting the Parameters

• The Evolving CFO 
  • Introduction to participants, expectations, and objectives.
  • Scope of CFO responsibilities.
  • Strategic and leadership skill sets.
  • Career aspirations as a CFO.
• Setting the Scene 
  • Modern CFO roles and time management.
  • Key areas: Controller, strategic considerations, governance, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations.
  • Exploring issues CFOs face during times of change.

Day 2: The Strategic Context – Organizational Objectives

• Introduction to Strategy 
  • Origins and purpose of strategy.
  • Levels of strategy: Corporate, business unit, and operational.
  • Determinants and sources of data.
• Designing and Implementing Strategy 
  • Analytical tools and techniques.
  • Integrating financial strategy with operational plans.
  • Influencing and formulating strategy.
• Strategy from the Outside and Inside 
  • Industrial economic value, PESTEL analysis, Porter's five forces model, supply chain analysis.
  • Resource-based theory, VRIN model, strategic assets.

Day 3: Personal Style – Understanding Yourself and Managing Others

• Personal Style 
  • Decision profile analysis: Risk, luck, decisiveness, intuition.
  • Myers-Briggs type indicator and managing different styles.
• The Transformational CFO 
  • Leading change and building sustainable leadership.
  • Self-awareness and reflective leadership.

Day 4: Leadership and Culture

• Organizational Culture 
  • Culture web and its impact.
  • Building and leading high-performance finance teams.
  • Assessing team strengths and weaknesses.
  • Developing, influencing, and motivating team members.

Day 5: The CFO as a Leader and Business Partner

• Leading through Successful Change 
  • Impact of change on people and organizations.
  • Personal change style and leadership approach.
  • Supporting people through change and overcoming conflicts.
• Strategic Communication 
  • Investor relations strategy.
  • Designing internal and external messages.
  • Managing internal communication and preparing personal strategic plans.

General Notes

• This course is delivered by seasoned trainers with extensive experience as expert professionals in their respective fields. It combines practical activities, theory, group work, and case studies.
• Participants receive comprehensive training manuals and additional reference materials.
• Upon successful completion, participants are awarded a certificate.
• Customized training courses can be arranged to meet specific organizational needs. Contact us at training@skillsforafrica.org for more information.
• The training will take place at the SKILLS FOR AFRICA TRAINING INSTITUTE in Nairobi, Kenya.
• The training fee covers tuition, materials, lunch, and the training venue. Accommodation and airport transfers can be arranged upon request.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training, with proof of payment sent to training@skillsforafrica.org.