Press Release

For Immediate Release
16 May 2010

ACTE Montreal Forum Reveals the Secrets of Successful CFO Communication

Montreal, QC, Canada --

Travel management executives from some of the largest companies in Montreal, and throughout Quebec, convened on 7 May, to discuss advanced managerial techniques, and the most effective methods in communicating with Chief Financial Officers. According to Monica Hailstone, ACTE’s Regional Director in Canada, over 90 travel managers and suppliers participated in the presentation, a portion of which was conducted by Peter Allen, Chief Financial Officer for BTI systems.

“This Executive Forum dealt with a key issue impacting travel manager performance and internal communications,” said Annemarie Reininger, ACTE Board Member representing Canada. “The primary objective of this program was to enable participants to more fully understand the objectives and language of their corporate officers. This is a critical step in meeting upper-management’s expectations and in getting their buy-in.”

A 25-year corporate veteran, Allen emphatically stated, “If you are not reaching upper-management, nor getting the response you anticipate, than you have to change your methods. Effective communication and relationship management can’t be left to chance.  It’s about playing a role, and to do that you need to connect to the other person through their lens of the world and not your own”.  

Laying the groundwork with scientifically based communication and motivation models, Allen encouraged attendees to develop and nurture their relationships like they were preparing for a role — as opposed to a hit or miss approach. “Good CFOs realize early on that their job involves putting on such a convincing performance that they win the Oscar for best actor in a CFO role.  The key to success with a CFO is to convince the CFO that you deserve to win the Oscar for best supporting actor.”  The bottom line, according to Allen, is to learn how to read your CFO and to take responsibility for your relationship.

A renowned industry expert, Allen has previously presented at the 2009 Canada Education Conference and the recent Calgary Executive Forum. He is also on the program for the ACTE Global Education Conference in Chicago (16-18 May 2010).

Presentations from the Montreal Executive Forum are located in ACTE Connect – ACTE’s online library of research and educational documents. For information about ACTE and to access the global education calendar, go to www.acte.org.

For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com