ONE FINANCE TEAM
Recently, I had the pleasure of leading a two-day workshop in Düsseldorf with the wonderful ONE FINANCE team of James Hardie Europe. Objective: How can we take finance collaboration and communication to the next level?
In the workshop, we spoke respectfully and openly ('be bold' is one of the wise official Jameshardie Values). There was a clear common goal: to maintain a real "ONE FINANCE TEAM" so that cooperation within the finance department works as if from a single source, and the business partner role is continuously developed. The first day was initially marked by arrival and mutual exchange. In formats such as "Take a Stand", it became visible how the participants perceive the current cooperation, the trust in the team and the development of the finance department. The conversations around Speed of Trust, based on the recommendable book by Stephen M.R. Covey, were good and intense.
Looking ahead then played a central role on the second day. In the "Finance 2030" session, a common idea of how the role of finance will develop in the coming years was developed: business partnering at eye level, close proximity to the operational areas, continuous dialogue with internal partners and at the same time a smart approach to topics such as AI, automation and reporting. Open communication, a 'bold' mindset and the willingness to change perspectives have repeatedly proven to be the decisive success factors.
A special highlight on the second day was the fishbowl discussion with Débora F. Torre from Supply Chain Management. The format enabled a direct exchange about expectations, cooperation and interfaces between finance and supply chain. And it was precisely this change of perspective – consciously looking at finance from the point of view of the internal partners and vice versa – that brought many valuable impulses for further cooperation.
Of course, personal exchange had ist space in our agenda. On the first evening, cooking together was on the agenda, with randomly assembled ingredients. In small teams, they improvised, tried things out and laughed a lot. This resulted in surprisingly creative dishes – including a great tortilla, prepared by the Spanish participants. The second day would end with a real ‚high‘ highlight - on the radio tower restaurant of the state capital Düsseldorf (but the food was better on the first day!).
For me as a workshop leader, the most important thing is gratitude for this beautiful task: a committed team, great openness to exchange and a clear will to actively develop cooperation – great. Many thanks to Brian Jungwirth and the entire team for the trust, the energy and the very pleasant cooperation. It was a great pleasure to accompany you through these two intense days.
