Archives for January 2016

January 29, 2016 By Samuel Dergel Leave a Comment

CFO Buzz – week ending January 29, 2016

Dear Readers,

You will notice that I took a break over the holidays publishing CFO Buzz that lasted a little longer than the holidays. We are now back on what I expect will be a regularly scheduled weekly update (once again).

Wishing you a very successful 2016!

Samuel

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CFO Buzz is a news feature capturing top stories affecting CFOs. This feature is published Fridays so that CFOs can gain perspective over the weekend, allowing them to challenge themselves and think about how to improve their lives, careers and companies.

1) CFO: Chief Fear Officer?

Cybersecurity is becoming more of a topic of conversation for those wanting to catch the attention of the CFO. Is this because CFOs are great at being the corporate lead on the topic of “what if this goes wrong”?

Risk-Averse CFOs A Natural Fit For Cybersecurity – PYMTNS.com

2) Do CFOs ever retire?

I have had numerous discussions with CFOs over the years that are moving towards the sunset of their careers. This article brings out some key points to ponder.

What, Me Retire? – FEI Daily

3) Procrastination: CFOs favorite tool?

CFOs are so busy that they have a todo list filled with things that will never get done. Here are some good ideas as to how to overcome procrastination. Make sure you get to read this eventually.

5 ways to overcome procrastination – CGMA Magazine

4) Flexible work: Code for slacking off?

It would not surprise me that CFOs of a certain generation would think that “Flexible work schedules” means that staff are not pulling their weight. When discussing this, they would continue the conversation by saying “You know, when we were younger…”. Here are some ways to make “Flexible work” work.

How to Make Flexible Work Schedules a Reality – Bloomberg

5) Are start-ups bad at hiring the right CFOs?

This article caught my attention because I see start-ups hiring the wrong CFOs. I could rant, and maybe one day I will. In the meantime, these are good points.

Are start-ups bad at hiring the right CEOs? – ITPRO.co.uk

Some of Samuel’s other CFO stuff this week

CFO Moves – Moves across the USA – week ending January 22, 2016

Samuel’s CFO Blog – A Solution for Lonely CFOs

Tweet of the week

Love this! The Jedi CFO https://t.co/Ot5U7scrBN #CFO #Leadership @dergelcfo

— David Matre (@DavidMatre) January 21, 2016

January 26, 2016 By Samuel Dergel Leave a Comment

A Solution for Lonely CFOs

Being CFO is a challenge.

CFOs are expected to be key contributors to the success of a company. They are regularly are called upon to make tough decisions, at times without the support of a sounding board.

Being CFO can be lonely but it doesn’t have to be.

Last year we launched a CFO Peer Group. CFOs from across North America meet in person and virtually. They have regular conference calls and spontaneous one-on-ones. In November they all convened for a day in Chicago. These CFOs found a comfortable setting in which to learn and share together with their peers.

In 2016, we are expanding our group. Members of this exclusive CFO Peer Group will have access to:

Annual in-person one day meeting in November 2016. Our first in-person CFO Peer Group meeting in Chicago this past November was a great success. These CFOs took time out of their busy schedules, spending one full day out of the office to meet their peers and discuss issues that were top of mind while networking and learning from others (just like you).

Regularly scheduled phone calls (8 times / year) where you will have an opportunity to speak with, interact and network with fellow CFOs. The topic of conversation will be what interests you. You will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges you face as CFO with your peers, and to listen, learn and network.
CFO Questions Forum, where you will be able to submit questions to your peers at any time. This could be helpful when looking for a template, facing a challenging relationship situation in your business, or need assistance to access a referral. Your CFO Peers will help you and you will be there to support them.

The opportunity to reach out spontaneously and confidentially to peers who you will come to respect and trust.

Unlike other CFO-oriented programs you may have attended in the past that spoke to you from a podium and a PowerPoint, our CFO Peer Group allows you and your peers to discuss topics that interest you, that are current, immediate and relevant to you. You drive the conversation – our role is to facilitate.

You can learn more about Samuel’s CFO Peer Group here and here.

There are only a few spaces available.

Meetings start in February. If you are a CFO and this interests you, please email us.

January 5, 2016 By Samuel Dergel Leave a Comment

CFO: Are You Looking For Career Opportunities?

As 2015 was coming to an end, CFO Moves reached and surpassed the 3,000 subscriber mark. This means that over 3,000 people receive CFO Moves in their inbox as soon as it is published every Monday morning.

A large number of the people that receive CFO Moves by email and visit the website each week are CFOs and senior finance executives that want to be aware of what is happening in the CFO market. In fact, I receive requests from CFOs who want to know more information about career openings that they see in the weekly CFO Moves report.

CFO Moves has become the “go-to” resource for those who want to be aware of CFO career movement. CFO Moves meets the needs of all of you who want to be in the know about CFO career moves.

With the start of 2016, it’s time to take CFO Moves to the next level.

Introducing CFO Search Report

CFO Search Report continues where CFO Moves leaves off.

CFO Search Report is a monthly CFO-only newsletter that endeavors to report on the CFO career opportunities that are listed each week in CFO Moves, as well as those that are not reported in CFO Moves.

CFO Search Report will rely upon you reporting details about CFO career opportunities you become aware of.

How to Report a CFO Career Opportunity

You can report a CFO career opportunity if you:

are a CFO that has been approached for an opportunity;
are an executive search firm with a CFO search mandate;
represent a company searching for their next CFO; or
are otherwise aware of a CFO career opportunity.

To report a CFO Career Opportunity, please click here.

How to Receive the CFO Search Report

CFO Search Report is published monthly and is exclusively for the benefit of Chief Financial Officer and other senior finance executives.

To subscribe to the CFO Search Report, please click here.

Thank you for continuing to be a loyal CFO Moves reader. We look forward to continuing to add value to you in 2016.

Sincerely,