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If you struggle with Data Storytelling, then you will not want to miss this week's episode of FP&A Tomorrow I recently had the pleasure of hosting Brent Dykes, author of "Effective Data Storytelling," on FP&A Tomorrow. Over the last year, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Brent personally, and I can say he is one of the leading global voices on data storytelling. You should follow him and buy his book, it is well worth your time and money. Early in the episode, he shared that his journey from marketing to becoming a leading voice in data storytelling began with a humbling experience - having his data-driven insights dismissed with a single word: "bullshit." This moment taught him that even the best analysis needs effective communication to drive change. I can relate to his insights being dismissed with an experience of my own. I once spent six months on a commission plan analysis and got alignment from all stakeholders, but failed miserably in presenting it to the CFO. My boss's feedback? "Your analysis was brilliant, but your presentation lacked." It was a wake-up call about the importance of storytelling in finance. Key insights from our conversation: ➡️ The three pillars of data storytelling: data foundation, narrative structure, and visuals ➡️ Why finance professionals often struggle with narrative (hint: we're too focused on details!) ➡️ How storytelling triggers specific hormones (cortisol and oxytocin) that drive attention and  empathy ➡️ The balance between human judgment and AI in decision-making ➡️ Ways to build a data-driven culture through effective storytelling One quote that really stuck with me: "You can't replace a story with a fact. You have to bring them a new story to replace the old story." This captures why we often fail to drive change despite having solid data. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how to: -Craft compelling data narratives -Balance detail with strategic insight -Build better stakeholder relationships through storytelling -Drive organizational change with data https://lnkd.in/g2AhzaTB ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and get a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module at https://lnkd.in/g5H4YsvH 📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/ejtkdsQd

From Mission Companions to Business Insights: A Chat with Business Leader Aaron Goss 🤝 In this week's FP&A Tomorrow podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Aaron Goss, a long-time friend and former mission companion. We served in California together as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our shared history added a unique flavor to our discussion about FP&A from a CEO's perspective. He talked about what he wants from finance as a leader and the importance of giving him the big picture, not all the detailed facts. It was refreshing to get such an unfiltered view from a non-finance person. Aaron's journey from education to business leadership is a unique journey fueled by his desire to be a service-oriented leader. He shared a humorous anecdote about becoming a Chief Revenue Officer without knowing what it meant, highlighting his journey from religious teaching to business leadership. Key Insights from Our Conversation: ➡️ Great FP&A is about understanding the business deeply, not just crunching numbers ➡️ Effective presentation of financial data is a skill FP&A professionals need to master ➡️ Empathy towards other departments is crucial for successful collaboration ➡️ The transition from private ownership to private equity can significantly change budgeting processes ➡️ Regular one-on-one meetings between CFO and CEO can drive substantial value A quote that resonated with me: "Be a partner for solutions, not just a reporter of data." This encapsulates the evolving role of FP&A in modern businesses. Aaron's emphasis on service-oriented leadership was particularly inspiring. He shared how this approach helped his company grow revenue by more than 40% while improving profitability and employee satisfaction. This episode is packed with practical advice for FP&A professionals, leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of finance and leadership. Tune in to hear more about Aaron's experiences and insights. It's a conversation you won't want to miss! https://lnkd.in/gJx4ay5i ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 Join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter and get a free FP&A Business Partnering Digital Course Module at https://lnkd.in/g5H4YsvH 📺 Check out the podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://lnkd.in/ejtkdsQd

"'Paul, you don't just report the P&L, you help shape the P&L.' These words from a former business partner have stayed with me throughout my FP&A career. They encapsulate what I believe great FP&A is all about  In our latest FP&A Tomorrow episode, I review what our guests have said about 1) What Makes Great FP&A 2) What is the #1 Technical Skill for FP&A Professionals 3) What is the #1 Soft Skill for FP&A Professionals Let me know in the comments your answer to these questions. What makes for Great FP&A ➡️"Active listening means you listen to learn, not to respond." - Jim Cook emphasized that truly effective communication starts with listening carefully to understand others, rather than waiting for your turn to speak. ➡️ "Fundamentally great FP&A people, they empower people to make better decisions faster." - Jack McCullough emphasized that the true value of FP&A lies not just in producing reports or analysis, but in enabling better and quicker decision-making throughout the organization. ➡️ "Great FP&A looks like the windshield and dashboard of your car." - Julian Castelli used this analogy to explain the role of FP&A in a business. Just as a car's windshield helps you see what's ahead, and the dashboard shows your current status, great FP&A provides both forward-looking insights and current performance metrics. ➡️"Great FP&A to me is being very involved in the business. It's being at the table, so to speak, and helping the business make better decisions for the future." - Ron Monteiro, CPA, CMA explaining his perspective on what makes FP&A truly valuable to an organization.  ➡️ Great FP&A professionals are deeply integrated into strategic planning. Jon Laudie emphasized this, highlighting how FP&A should be involved in key decision-making processes. ➡️ Balancing technical and soft skills is crucial for Great FP&A. As Winnie Aoieong pointed out, it's about using your skill to creates actionable plans to communicate with the business." Other key Takeaways ➡️ Simplification is an art. Ron's insight on this really resonated with me. As someone who tends to be detail-oriented, I've learned the value of distilling complex information into something that is simple to follow.  ➡️ Understanding the business is non-negotiable. I shared how changing our onboarding process to include time with different departments significantly improved our new hires' effectiveness. ➡️ Continuous learning is key. Whether it's mastering new technologies, improving communication skills, or deepening business acumen, the best FP&A professionals never stop growing. 🎧 Ready to become a better FP&A professional? Listen to the full episode now! https://lnkd.in/gRZdci9R ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📰 If this post resonated with you then join The Modern Finance Playbook Newsletter to learn more about becoming great business partner https://lnkd.in/g5H4YsvH