Bangkok--Nov 17--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Faced with a complex, global marketplace, today’s Finance Director needs to “make financial information meaningful to a wider range of stakeholders” according to one senior Finance Director. Speaking at the European CFO and Financial Directors’ Summit 2004, Caroline Stockmann, recently appointed Finance and IT Director for Unilever in Thailand, outlined a innovative approach, which she has termed the “CFO’s personal communication strategy” to help deliver any finance strategy with maximum support from shareholders and Board.
“While technical skills are crucial”, says Stockmann, “without the ability to communicate the numbers effectively, particularly at Board level, many Finance Directors fail to make the most of their financial expertise”.
Tapping into her years of experience in both senior financial roles and as a professionally qualified musician, Stockmann gave a positive note of encouragement to hard-pressed senior financiers, facing the increased demands of shareholders, Board level associates and consumer groups. In her experience, a pro-active approach to communication can help create trust-based relationships — vital for effective senior performance under pressure. “It is absolutely essential to make your personal communication strategy fit your personal style & be true to your values. If not, people will know."
“As Finance Directors, we have to reach many difference audiences, and to do that, we need to employ the most effective communication strategy possible. This means we have to choose to use different muscles — to perhaps become effective influencers and persuaders as much as technical experts”.
Ms Stockmann was able to demonstrate the benefits of a personal communication strategy in her own career, recommendation in itself that Finance Directors could consider using some of those communication tools and techniques.
The presentation was well received by an audience of Finance Directors from across Europe, representing every kind of industry. Other conference speakers included Thiery Moulonguet (CFO Renault), Tom De Swaan (CFO ABN Amro), Lauralee Martin (Global CFO Jones Lang Lasalle), John Bruton (former Prime Minister of Ireland) and Prof. Norbert Walter (Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank).
Conference organisers Marcus Evans have full details of Ms Stockmann’s presentation at the following website: www.europeancfosummit.com
For more information on the Marketable CFO or
other aspects of the presentation
please contact [email protected].
Issued on behalf of : Unilever Thai Group of Companies
For further information : Pongtip Tesapu
Unilever Thai Group of Companies
Tel. 0 2554 3430
: Punchama Chatchen ([email protected])
Waralee Bunnag ([email protected])
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Limited
Tel. 0 2632 8300-7 End.