Talking numbers: speaking their language

The gift for interpreting numbers is an essential skill for any FD and particularly for aspiring CEOs. Finance directors are rightly admired for their technical skills and ability to decipher the mystery of the P&L, the erosion of the gross and net margins and the effects of tax charges and currency fluctuations on the bottom line. But the true value of all this is only unlocked if softer skills are also mastered.

The finance team is often criticised for only speaking to itself and its peers. The effort involved in explaining NPV, liquidity ratios and the need for gearing to the sales and marketing team doesn’t always seem like a good use of time. But while not everyone is fluent in the language of finance, communication is a key skill that FDs need to master.

Read more - Diana Stoltman article on Whatapc

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Regards,

Santosh Puthran

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