Insights from the CFOs Breakfast

On Tuesday, 19th March 2024, over 50 finance professionals gathered for the much-anticipated Chief Financial Officers’ (CFOs) Breakfast, a collaborative initiative uniting industry leaders and academia in the pursuit of financial excellence. Hosted with the aim of fostering exchange and learning, the event provided a dynamic platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds to connect and share insights.

Our Undergraduate students undertaking the Bachelor of Commerce Programme and the Bachelor of Financial Services Programme were also in attendance, giving them an opportunity to mingle and network with industry professionals.

Philemon Kipkemoi, Chief Financial Officer at BAT, graced the occasion as the guest speaker, imparting invaluable wisdom through six key lessons:

Plan, strategize and keep the focus. Philemon emphasized the importance of planning, strategic thinking, and keeping an unwavering focus. Success, he asserted, begins with a well-defined plan, and adherence to this plan is crucial for achieving one’s goals. He shared insights from his own career journey, illustrating the transformative impact of setting clear objectives and aligning his actions accordingly. Further, he noted that amidst life’s myriad distractions, maintaining unwavering focus on priorities is key. You must learn to discern what truly matters to and dedicate energies towards those endeavors, steering clear of distractions that derail progress. Set clear boundaries and allocate time and resources effectively to maximize productivity and achieve desired outcomes.

Learning agility. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, embracing a mindset of continuous learning is imperative. Philemon underscored the value of adaptability and urged attendees to remain open to new ideas, constantly reinventing themselves to stay ahead of the curve. Drawing upon examples of industry disruptions and technological advancements, he highlighted the necessity of staying abreast of emerging trends and acquiring new skills to remain competitive in the financial sector.

Overcoming obstacles. Challenges are an inevitable part of life, but Philemon stressed the importance of resilience and adaptability in overcoming them. “In the face of adversity, maintain a positive outlook and embrace obstacles as opportunities for growth,” he noted. Sharing personal anecdotes of setbacks he encountered in his career; he emphasized the importance of perseverance and resourcefulness in navigating challenging circumstances.

Effective communication. Communication lies at the heart of successful leadership. Effective communication is critical in bridging the gap between clarity and confusion, fostering understanding and alignment within teams. Drawing upon principles of effective communication, he shared strategies for articulating vision, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a culture of transparency within organizations.

Building a support system. Success is rarely achieved in isolation, it is important to cultivate a strong support network, comprised of mentors, colleagues, and peers. A robust support system, he asserted, provides invaluable guidance and encouragement during challenging times.

Coaching and mentorship have a transformative effect. Drawing from his own experiences, he encouraged attendees to both seek guidance from seasoned mentors and pay it forward by mentoring others, thus perpetuating a cycle of knowledge sharing and growth. He outlined the benefits of mentorship, including personalized guidance, career insights, and expanded networks, and urged attendees to actively seek out mentorship opportunities to enhance their professional development.

As the session ended, attendees departed with a renewed sense of purpose and determination, armed with actionable insights to propel their careers forward.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Financial Services Programme here

Learn more about the Bachelor of Commerce Programme here

Article by Juliet Hinga