BF_BusinessFinanceLink_: New Priorities: Tough Times Are Changing Treasurers' To-Do Lists...More...

BusinessFinanceLink

Issue #303

BusinessFinanceLink provides news, trend information, research and commentary on a range of subjects related to the financial management of organizations in today's era of increased governance and financial transparency — subjects such as Sarbanes-Oxley, IT management from a financial perspective, credit trends, financial reporting, M&A, audit committees and more. To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add email.bfmag.com to your address book or whitelist.

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- Today's Alerts -

New Priorities: Tough Times Are Changing Treasurers' To-Do Lists
"Back to basics" seems to be the watchword among consumers trying to hold on to their checkbooks, as they worry about pink slips, credit card cancellations, and dropping home values. It's also the approach treasurers need to take this year, says Mike Gallanis, a partner with Treasury Strategies, in his 2009 "State of the Treasury Profession" address. For more read Karen Kroll's Basis Points blog at The Big Fat Finance Blog.

Going Vertical, Going Global: An Interview With VSP's CFO
In a recent interview with Steve Player, Patricia Cochran, CFO of Vision Service Plan, shared insight into her company's budgeting and forecasting processes and explained its decision to expand internationally.

Making XBRL Reporting Easy
The notion that someday soon finance executives will be required to use XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) to transmit certain regulatory filings for their companies is somewhat unnerving for those unfamiliar with available XBRL technologies. Here's a look at some of the technologies that can help you to XBRL-enable your financial statements.

The People's BI
The demand by the finance function for business intelligence (BI) to make sense of the massive amounts of data pouring into the organization has not slackened much despite the ongoing economic slowdown. The reason, according to Gartner's 2009 Business Intelligence Magic Quadrant report, is clear: "BI is a vital competitive tool of increased importance in an environment where doing business more smartly, in order to maximize share of the reduced revenue in circulation, is a necessity." For more read Alan Radding's wiredFINANCE blog at The Big Fat Finance Blog.

What to Expect When the Board Asks Executive Pay Questions
As the executive pay debate heats up following the TARP-related compensation limits, CFOs at public companies can expect to hear more on the issue from their own corporate directors. For more read Eric Krell's Full Disclosure blog at The Big Fat Finance Blog.

With XBRL Comes Liquidity
Using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) could enhance the liquidity and alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty plaguing today's markets. Read Ventana Research's "Tag Fannie and Freddie with XBRL" in the BPM Resource Center.

GRC Survey - Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card!
Economic woes, gyrating commodity prices, rising fraud ... the pressures on governance, risk and compliance programs are mounting. How are companies coping? By participating in our quick survey, you can help your peers keep tabs on the ever-changing GRC landscape. The results will be presented in aggregate in an upcoming issue of Business Finance. You will also have the opportunity to enter into a drawing for one of two $100 Visa gift cards.

BPM Summit 2008: Now Available On-Demand
The 6th Annual BPM Summit, Generating Value Through Visibility, brought together some of the business world's foremost practitioners to explore the transformational role of finance in the enterprise. If you missed the live event, you can still enjoy unlimited access to the audio and slide shows from the keynote speaker presentations at our on-demand archive.

- Today's Diverts -

When To Keep Your Lips Zipped
Do you tend to overshare? It's okay to talk freely with friends, but there are some subjects, like politics and your love life, you should keep away from work. Here's a list of 13 taboo office topics.

Aliens Didn't Destroy a Wind Turbine
It's official, UFOs did not destroy a giant wind turbine in northern England last month. Residents reported seeing glowing spheres in the sky before a turbine blade fell off, but a report from Ecotricity, the wind project operator, has determined it was "material fatigue," not aliens, that caused bolts to come loose. "To be honest I'm not surprised. But there was part of me that did hope it was a U.F.O. as it was a lovely story," said Ecotricity's founder Dale Vince.

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Uncertain Times? Be Certain About What Is Profitable

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BPM at Risk: An Interview with BPM Partners CEO Craig Schiff

Helping CFOs Apply Brand Measures: An Interview with Mich Bergesen of Landor Associates

Lenovo's Finance Transformation: An Interview with Dennis Culin, Lenovo's director of finance transformation

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