Conference wins praise
15 APRIL 2010 | BY PAUL VAUGHAN, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
In recognition of challenging economic times, increased compliance and the development of our client-facing staff, CPM's finance department has recently launched a new training course for non-financial managers.
The purpose of the initiative is to develop the commercial awareness of our client-facing managers, who make decision on behalf of the business on a daily basis. This course attempts to define what this means to CPM and to provide the agenda for finance and Client Services going forward. It aims to enhance an understanding of profit, ensuring compliance with regulatory authorities, and ultimately generating cash.
The PCC effect ...
The course takes delegates through the life-cycle of a client contract, covering the tools used to assist in winning business. Offering a hands-on approach, it explains the rate cards and costing models applied in the tendering process, giving tips on ensuring compliance for a number of regulatory authorities in order to trade on a firm legal footing.
From this base, the course examines how costs are processed across our business and how this feeds into CPM's overall performance. Finally, we review our planning process to ensure that the needs of our shareholders are met.
The course focuses on the 'afters' - the desired outputs, clearly setting the agenda for the Finance department and client service teams moving forward. During the next eight weeks, the participants will be working on a commercial development plan to submit back to the senior management team on the three key areas of Profitability (Correctly spending client monies); Compliance (where should we focus?) and Cash (how do we convert?)
The first course was held on 17 March and feedback from the attending client service group has been very positive - with 83% of respondents rating the course 'Good' or 'Excellent'. Attendees commented on the quality of the training presentation and the interactive breakout sessions.
CPM sustainability
