FAQs
What are the key challenges facing Finance and Accounting professionals?
Today, more than ever before, Finance and Accounting professionals have to be more than just money people. Yes, you need to know how to read a balance sheet, prepare financial analyses, and build budgets. However, to really make a difference, you must be able to meet these tough challenges:
- Grow a business in uncertain times
- Become a strategic resource instead of a high priced bookkeeper
- Manage processes that drive profitability and efficiency
- Retain and motivating top performers
- Improve business decision support
As you can see, it’s more than debits and credits. It requires a broader focus, and developing potentially new skills. To be truly successful you need to focus on the non-traditional skills of the 21st century Finance pro!
What do you mean by non-traditional skills?
Presidents and CEOs expect a broader base of knowledge and competence from their finance teams. They want to leaders who can:
- Understand the business model well enough to make recommendations
- Develop and sustain stakeholder relationships
- Focus on value creation and growth
- Lead a diverse and geographically dispersed team
How do you help your clients?
Ignite focuses on Leadership Development Coaching, Process Improvements, and Effective Communication Programs. To do this, we work with you as a business coach to mobilize your people and optimize your processes to achieve specific goals. These past 4 years have been extremely difficult for everyone. Finance and Accounting professionals must be more proactive, innovative and collaborative to be successful. This is the mobilizing piece of the equation.
Your processes have to be crisp enough to take advantage of opportunities and shield you from threats. This allows you to “see around corners” and be ready for what’s next. Processes run the gamut from employees, to customers, to operations, to financial health and management. Six Sigma training has been invaluable to me in helping others make prosperous process improvements.
Lastly, with teams running leaner than ever, each member is expected to communicate effectively to any audience. Effective and clear communication is a cornerstone for success. Our Clear Speaking Program focuses on helping Finance and Accounting professionals deliver a clear, concise and impactful message.
What drives you to be a business coach?
For me, the payoff is working with an individual, team or business to help them become more successful. When someone comes to Ignite and asks for help to become a better leader, improve their company’s financial strength, or look at business processes, it is very exciting. It motivates me to help put them on the right track and achieve their goals.
What did you bring over from your finance and operations roles to this business?
Using ideas from different disciplines to innovate in other areas is what this is all about. My finance background provided me with opportunities to work in new product initiatives, systems implementations, geographic expansions and many operational programs. I have been able to draw upon past experiences that have been unique, and apply what I have learned to the challenges my clients face. Those early days of leading both finance and cross functional teams to grow a business were invaluable. Couple those skills with the coaching background, and I more than ready to help others achieve and exceed their goals.
Are You an ICF Certified Coach?
Absolutely. I spent a year in training, successfully completed testing, and continue to take courses to keep my skills sharp. The ICF (International Coach Federation) is the governing body for coaches. It’s the official stamp of approval for the industry. Some people say they are coaches and haven’t done the training and study. Be careful… look for ICF credentials or a coach who has completed an ICF certified training program.
Contact Ignite today!
Ignite Business Coaching, LLC
Tel: 859-420-5950
Email: John@BusinessIgnite.com
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