The Finance Transformation Conference offers everything you can expect from a premier event; inspiration, know how and interactive discussions, over 400 colleagues working in senior financial management positions and high quality of hospitality.
The programme and topics will be established in close consultation with various CFOs, the editors in chief of CFO magazine and leading market parties such as the conference partners.
Future Financial Leaders
Programme for 2011
- 10.30 Welcome
- 10.45 Leading financial professionals? Don´t do it!
- By: Mathieu Weggeman, Professor of Organisational Science, Eindhoven University of Technology
- 11.15 Network break
- 11.45 Break out sessions I with a.o.:
- The Executive Tour: Robert Otto and Harry van Dorenmalen
The importance of Leadership, personal experiences and the moments that really matter are under discussion in a frank conversation between Jan van den Belt, Robert Otto and Harry van Dorenmalen. How do Robert Otto and Harry van Dorenmalen see Delta Lloyd and IBM as leading companies in turbulent times? How are the core values espoused by these organizations by Leadership? At what times in the history of these companies has Leadership been demonstrated? What is expected from the CFO and how do Robert and Harry see the development of the CFO role? As leaders, how do you stimulate change processes and how do you achieve this within the organisation?
By: Robert Otto, General Director Commercial Division Delta Lloyd Group, Harry van Dorenmalen, Chairman IBM Europe and Jan van den Belt, Commissioner - Leadership in Strategy Alignment
Most business strategies are great, bright and beautiful, but don’t work or even fail. Having a strategy is not a guarantee for success. What is essential for success is the alignment of your people with your strategy. Without alignment, you don’t have a strategy, at all. This workshop tells you how and presents a practical case to learn about the diagnostic benefits.
By: Marco de Haas, Founder S-ray Diagnostics, a research-driven company of the Erasmus University Rotterdam - Getting more from your controllers
Top financial people pay too little attention to the effectiveness of their controllers and the consistency of the actions required to improve this. They sometimes reveal some innovation, but there is no strategy for the structural improvement of effectiveness at the majority of companies researched. This is demonstrated by research carried out by CFO Partners. During this session, discussion points will concern the organisation of Finance, competences of controllers and the quality of information to increase the effectiveness of controllers.
By: Ross Paterson en Bart Vermaas, Partners CFO Partners
Panel: Jouke van der Veer, Coen Reinders, Directorr Corporate Control Schiphol Group, Hielke Sybesma, CFO Accell Group, Cees van Rijn and Peter Schrijnemaekers, VP Finance Ziggo
Gefaciliteerd door: CFO Partners - The war on talent and leadership
The 3-stage rocket as a weapon in the "war on talent". From Power Leaders to Servant Leaders, from management to new Leadership. The new way of working requires a different way of managing; people at various levels are busy searching for “New Leadership”; there is a breakthrough of new, authentic and amenable leadership. For a while now, issues such as “Cradle to Cradle” sustainability are no longer hype, but an essential development. You can’t afford to miss this session!
By: Koos Groenewoud
Facilitated by: Finance Factor - Roundtable session (by invitation only)
By: Han Metsers, ABN AMRO
Facilitated by: ABN AMRO - The role of the CFO as a transformational leader within the financial sector (by invitation only)
PwC recently conducted research on transformations in the Dutch financial services sector. The outcomes of this study will provide inspiration for this invitation-only session and will be the basis for interactive discussions on the role of the CFO in transformations. Important questions on which we will focus during those discussions are:
- Is the CFO the right person to lead change?
- What are the critical success factors for a transformation?
- What are the differences between a transformation driven by regulation (for example, Basel III, Solvency II) and a transformation driven by strategic objectives?
Facilitated by: PwC - How secure can you make an insecure future (by invitation only)
Following the credit crisis, people thought that things would become stable again. Nothing could be further from the truth. The debt crisis is slowly expanding and the signals from a downward-heading economy make the markets nervous. Companies have to deal with clients withdrawing their investments and postponing certain purchases.
The role of the CFO and the finance department has become increasingly important in recent years. In addition to leading the financial organisation, the CFO is expected to play a major role in strategic processes. During this discussion, we will focus on the way in which you as a CFO can play a strategic role in these dynamic times. What are the means you have at your disposal and what are the best practices.
Facilitated by: IBM - Talent development in Finance (by invitation only)
Strong leadership is crucial for every organisation during uncertain times. Leadership is not only essential for those at the top of the company, but also for management below, as well as for all staff members. This is why it is important to ensure that Finance is well equipped internally, in order for them to follow developments. It is therefore vital to maintain the quality of the team and to keep it up-to-date, as well as to have a proper programme for talent development within the financial team. The success of the team determines the level of talent that is acquired and retained, which directly affects the success of the company as a whole.
By: Mark de Lat, Director Consultancy Randstad Netherlands
Facilitated by: Randstad Netherlands - The financial position within various organisations (by invitation only)
Companies such as Shell, Philips and Unilever offer many challenges for financials. However, mid-corporate organisations such as Mediq and Imtech and semi-public organisations such as the RET also offer financials many challenges. What are the differences between working within this type of organisation, particularly for the role Finance? Under the guidance of Rob Leicher (Mediq) and William Bontes (RET), we look into this more deeply.
By: Rob Leicher, Group Controller Mediq and William Bontes, CFO RET - Finding the right balance – Practical experience of a company in the middle of the storm (by invitation only)
In this session we will focus on the role of the financial leader. This role has changed drastically in recent years, and is increasingly moving from accountant to business partner. Finding the right balance, both substantially – in terms of process – as well as personally, is not always straightforward in these hectic times. When do you hit the gas and when do you apply the brakes? And how do you do this? Bob Wouters, CFO of Nationale Nederlanden Zakelijk, will share his practical experiences while he is prepares for a possible floatation on the stock market.
By: Bob Wouters, CFO Nationale Nederlanden Zakelijk
Facilitated by: Oracle
- 13.00 Lunch
- 14.00 Break out sessions II
- Vision, leadership, support and result
A vision without support is doomed to fail. After all, your vision is merely a point on the horizon. The journey towards your vision requires leadership. A carefully crafted combination of communications (what you day), behavior (the example you set) and symbolism (what you show), that enables leaders to mobilize their troops. Media strategist Kay van de Linde, former advisor to Rudy Giuliani, Pim Fortuyn and Rita Verdonk and many others, explains how you can use personal leadership to achieve your goals.
By: Kay van der Linde, Spindoctor - The effective finance professional
In addition to knowledge and experience, skills (soft skills) are vitally important in today’s financial positions. Do you believe it is important to utilise your knowledge and experiences effectively in meetings, presentations, advice discussions and negotiations? In this workshop you will receive practical insight in the necessary skills in financial positions, how you can (personally) develop these skills and what it will give you if you put these skills into practice, including 5 practical tips.
By: Erik Boon, Coach & Trainer
Facilitated by: Alex van Groningen - Focus on Cost awareness and Efficiency
In 2009, William Bontes was appointed CFO of RET. The supervisory board immediately gave him some tough performance standards to meet. These standards were acutely necessary in the face of fierce rivalries with parties such as Veolia, Connexxion and Arriva. The CFO plays a central role in achieving major improvements, with the most significant factor being to change the organisation’s culture and get the right people into the right positions.
By: William Bontes, CFO RET
Panel: Hans van Leeuwen, CFO T-Mobile Netherlands, Marcel de Boer, European Finance Director Avery Dennison and Mathieu Rosier, Partner PwC Consulting
Facilitated by: Alex van Groningen - How secure can you make an insecure future (by invitation only)
Following the credit crisis, people thought that things would become stable again. Nothing could be further from the truth. The debt crisis is slowly expanding and the signals from a downward-heading economy make the markets nervous. Companies have to deal with clients withdrawing their investments and postponing certain purchases.
The role of the CFO and the finance department has become increasingly important in recent years. In addition to leading the financial organisation, the CFO is expected to play a major role in strategic processes. During this discussion, we will focus on the way in which you as a CFO can play a strategic role in these dynamic times. What are the means you have at your disposal and what are the best practices.
Facilitated by IBM - Trust, leadership and Business Agility. What does this mean for Finance? (by invitation only)
To the CFO and the finance function, Business Agility means they expand the organisation’s capacity to anticipate by providing the appropriate insights. Finace in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Frans Roozen facilitates research on Business Agility and its significance for Finance, research showing a direct correlation between trust and leadership, and the success of the organisation. This session will focus on the case studies of 2011 and the role of the CFO. We will also address which financial tools are relevant, and what the conditions are to use these successfully.
By: Wim Verheij, Member Management Team Finace
Facilitated by: Finace - Your leadership when outsourcing (by invitation only)
With outsourcing, the term "cost reduction" quickly comes to mind; and with cost reduction, thoughts almost immediately turn to the CFO. However, outsourcing and the CFO are also related for other reasons – creating value, compliancy and innovative business models are important topics related to Outsourcing.
In addition to leading the financial organisation, you are expected to play an important role in strategic choices. During this session we want to share our experiences with you and provide you with tools for making choices in outsourcing specific company processes. In addition, we will offer some examples of outsourcing and optimising a number of financial processes.
By: Marcel Kranenburg, Business Manager Outsourcing Ricoh
Facilitated by: Ricoh - Leadership with corruption: can you prove that you have done everything within your power to prevent dishonest business within your organisation? (by invitation only)
Can you prove that you have done everything in your power to prevent dishonest business within your organisation? Not being able to prove this could lead to sanctions for you and your fellow directors which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years and an unlimited fine for your organisation. This session will focus on the new UK Bribery Act (UKBA) and the severe consequences of this for many Dutch companies. Corruption is closer by than you might imagine. Are you – being ultimately responsible for the finances – adequately prepared for this? In this interactive workshop you will be tested on your knowledge, insight and leadership. You will be challenged to use your creativity to comprehend fully the seriousness of the threats, and to reach possible solutions. Use your talent as a proficient leader to show which adequate measures you should take according to the UKBA.
By: Peter Schimmel, Partner Grant Thornton Forensic & Investigation Services and anti-corruption specialist and Nicole Den Hartigh, Director Grant Thornton Forensic & Investigation Services and specialist fraud and audit or ‘frauditing’
Facilitated by: Grant Thornton - Q-Park to a higher league, the CFO as Change Agent (by invitation only)
Ever since its inception in 1998, Q-Park has shown tremendous growth. In the past few years, some substantial foreign acquisitions have been made. Subsequently, the company has the characteristics of a multinational whilst the internal organisation was not yet designed accordingly. In order to realise the necessary balance between facilitating the ambitions on the one hand and the internal professionalisation on the other hand, the role of the CFO, especially as a Change Agent, proofs to be crucial. René van de Kieft is a CFO who flourishes in a dynamic and changing environment and who can step on the brakes when found to be necessary: indispensable for the phase Q-Park currently finds itself in. By: Rene van de Kieft, CFO and Board Member Q-Park
Facilitated by: PwC - Leaders needed to make decisions! (by invitation only)
There is a difference between leaders and managers. The focus of a Leader is on achieving objectives and on future success. The focus of a manager is on implementing rules and on the daily output. Leaders operate despite the rules, managers because of the rules. The time has come to stand up as leaders and create breakthroughs in the “company pension scheme”. What role is reserved for the CFO in this?
Facilitated by: Delta Lloyd Groep - Leadership without limits (by invitation only)
In this session Fons Trompernaars – an authority in the field of leadership and culture – discusses the essence of serving leadership, at home and across cultural boundaries. Using examples, Trompenaars explains the link between participative, transformational and situational leadership, which are part of the universal serving-leadership concept. A serving leader is highly proficient in reconciling apparent contradictions, including cultural ones. During this session, we will discuss several leadership dilemmas such as control or passion, short or long term, rules or exceptions, etc. A successful leader knows how to manipulate “either/or” choices into “both/and” solutions. Serving leadership rests on a foundation common to all culture differences: being human.
By: Fons Trompenaars, Consultant and author ‘Riding the waves of Culture’ and ‘Seven Cultures of Capitalism’
- 15.15 Network break
- 15.45 Keynote presentation
- By: Fons Trompenaars, Consultant and author ‘Riding the waves of Culture’ and ‘Seven Cultures of Capitalism’
- 16.30 Reception
- 17.30 Dinner (by invitation only)