Table Of ContentPreface. Introduction. Acknowledgments. PART ONE. UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF BEST PRACTICES. Chapter 1. Improving Performance through Best Practices. Chapter 2. Drivers of Change. Chapter 3. Understanding the Opportunities. PART TWO. BEST PRACTICES. Chapter 4. Using Best Practices to Drive Change. Chapter 5. Strategic Planning: The Ideas That Drive Results. Chapter 6. Operational and Financial Planning: Translating Ideas into Action. Chapter 7. Management Reporting: So What Is Really Going On? Chapter 8. Forecasting: Pass the Crystal Ball. Chapter 9. Technology: Promise Or Threat? PART THREE. MOVING FROM DATA TO DECISIONS. Chapter 10. Using a Benchmark to Get Started. Chapter 11. Steps toward Implementing Best Practices. Chapter 12. Implementation Secrets. Chapter 13. Perspectives on Leadership. Chapter 14. A Few Conclusions and Predictions. Index.
SynopsisPut your numbers to work 'Best Practices in Planning and Management Reporting is a must-read for anyone contemplating finance transformation. David Axson provides an insider's view into the successful techniques and transformational strategies of The Hackett Group and their parent company, Answerthink.' -Michael Geltzeiler CFO, Reader's Digest 'In this new era of corporate governance, where the need for more and better information is a heightened priority, David Axson's book provides timely insight and instruction for companies looking to leverage technology to enable best practices. When combined with process and organizational changes, companies can achieve significant efficiencies and dramatic improvements in information transparency, business planning, and performance management.' -Renee Lorton Senior Vice President and General Manager Financial Management Solutions PeopleSoft, Inc. 'David Axson's insights into the practical application of best practices combined with The Hackett Group's benchmarks provide a valuable guide to implementing effective planning and management reporting processes. Organizational learning and improvement in this area is crucial to manage effectively in today's volatile business world.' -Richard B. Kelson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Alcoa Inc., Combining best reporting practices with the latest information technology Finance professionals need to constantly search for more efficient ways to increase the scope and effectiveness of the reporting process, while at the same time minimizing operational costs. Performance Management and Reporting Best Practices weds best practices to the ultimate measures-better business decisions and better results-defining clear action plans for successfully developing, implementing, and profiting from the strategic application of key performance metrics. David Axson's reader-friendly guide combines reporting best practices with the most recent developments in information technology, allowing managers to automate and streamline the reporting process to meet their unique needs. Drawing upon real-world examples, he explains how leading-edge companies are redesigning the financial planning process, making it more responsive, adaptive, useful, simple, powerful, and able to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage. David Axson (Akron, OH) is Managing Director of AnswerThink Consulting Group's CEO/Solutions practice area.