CFO Series: Decision Making in An Irrational World WEBCAST - Partnered with the Oregon Society

Overview

All decisions are about the future, and the future is uncertain. In today’s world, unpredictability is the rule, not the exception, and making business decisions can feel like rolling dice with ever-changing odds. We need better tactics and tools to improve our decision-making process. We must challenge the decision-making process itself, outdated assumptions, and uncover fresh insights that transform how we plan, decide, and succeed, showing that uncertainty doesn’t have to mean instability - it can be the catalyst for smarter, stronger decisions. 

Highlights

How and why ambiguity is good, and how certainty can be harmful. How the past blinds us to the real future. The difference between risk and uncertainty. Managing measurable risk and unmeasurable risk. Why have our current planning approaches failed. The need to analyze decisions from multiple perspectives. Probabilities are not necessarily predictive. How statistics can be misused and misunderstood – thus increasing risk, and more.

Prerequisites

At least six months of professional financial statement analysis experience and/or at least six months of professional experience in preparing or reviewing accounting processes and reports. Experience working with internal clients or external clients and business leaders.

Designed For

Managers who want to improve their financial analysis skills, develop a thoughtful approach towards risk, and a method to optimize a practical strategy towards managing risk. Corporate financial leaders, financial managers, CEOs, CFOs, controllers, accountants, board members, advisors, and consultants. CPAs in public practice and CPAs in industry. Business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals interested in financial analysis, managing risk, and understanding the value of planning.

Objectives

Understand that uncertainty is normal and what we can do about it. Understand that precision is not the same as accuracy. Accept that unpredictable events are not outliers – they are normal. Understand that resiliency must be built in. Understand why and how our current decision-making process is flawed. Understand why we need better tools to help inform decision makers. How to use some of the more appropriate tools to help augment financial analysis in today’s environment. Learn methods to navigate complexity and better plan for change. Understand why diversification usually increases risk. Learn the proper, effective way to diversify to reduce hazards.

Preparation

None.