How do you become a better interlocutor on financial business matters? How do you know if your company's finances are in order? What basic knowledge do you need, and most importantly, how do you remember what you've learned if you don't use it every day?
In this episode of Work Professor, I, Wendy van Ierschot, will talk with Hans Go. Hans wrote the book 'What do those numbers really say? Tips & tricks for non-financial professionals'.
Hans Go is a chartered accountant and business economist. He has a corporate background (Unilever), including five years in Asia, broad CFO experience in a variety of organizations, and is an entrepreneur. Hans also provides training on the basics of financial numbers and how to communicate and present them. He also wrote a travelogue: 'Be Bamboo and 7 other lessons from the Southern Route'. An adventurous account with management and life lessons, gained on the motorcycle.
Bringing Insight
I can already hear you sighing out loud ... another financial book. Yet Hans manages to distinguish his book from all the other financial books. Unlike the rest, who want to make you an accountant, Hans actually wants to bring insight. "Suppose you have a technical background or a marketing background and you're on the fringes of the financial field, it's still nice to know something about it," Hans said.
Head in the sand
If you basically have nothing to do with finances it doesn't come up in your daily work either. It can also happen that you don't understand it and therefore run away from it. According to the author, on the contrary, you should not be afraid. "Just start. Read pieces and ask questions. Make sure you don't run away from it."
Links
More about Hans Go
Buy here 'What do those numbers really say? Tips & tricks for non-financial professionals'
Read more about Orphan Bamboo
More about the Working Professor
Do you have questions or input? If so, please contact Wendy van Ierschot at wendy@viepeople.com. Curious about the next guest on the Work Professor or want to be the first to hear the teaser of the next episode? Follow the Work Professor on LinkedIn.
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