Can Finance and Non-Finance speak the same language?

I trust you have had great start to 2025.

January 2025 has started with a Financial Literacy workshop in Newcastle, and the launch of my new Financial Influence program.

I have been part of some wonderful conversations. And I wanted to share something interesting from both the perspective of Finance and Non-Finance Managers.

Working with Finance Managers, this is what’s front of mind:

1.       “Our focus in 2025 is forecasting”

2.       “Our forecast accuracy needs to improve”

3.       “The CFO doesn’t like budget surprises”

4.       “We need an accurate pre-profit estimate for the month”

On the flip side, this is what Non-Finance Managers have been talking about:

1.       “Our biggest challenge is that we can’t predict with any level of confidence”

2.       “We want to see what’s around the corner and use it to make good decisions”

3.       “How can we set-up an early warning signal?”

4.       “How do we know we are on track this month?”

Notice anything? The same talking points, said in a different way.

What if we could get Finance and Non-Finance talking the same language, and truly understanding each other. This is where the magic happens.

Here’s my question to you: How do you demystify financial jargon?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Robert

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are a couple of ways I can help:

1. Come to your site and run a Finance for Non-Finance Managers workshop. These workshops are designed to help your people understand what’s behind the numbers so that they can have greater impact.

2. Mentor your Finance team. The forecast is the most powerful tool in a Finance professionals tool bag. Book me in for a chat about how I can help add a couple of dimensions to this skill set, and see how your Finance team can become the trusted advisor at all levels in your organisation.