The Role of a CFO: motivating people, managing assets and hedging risks - страница 16

Without doubt, any modern financial professional intending to thrive in their field for the next 10–20 years should possess a high level of English proficiency (if not their native language), even if their immediate role does not require oral or written communication in English. English serves as the international language of business and science. I firmly believe that daily self-study, analyzing current changes and innovations, and maintaining a forward-thinking and strategic mindset are impossible without independently studying relevant presentations, books (such as this one), lectures, articles, and other sources in English.

Continuous learning is imperative, with professionals autonomously identifying the directions and courses necessary to maintain competitiveness while considering their own strengths, weaknesses, and career development plans. In my opinion, taking professional and personality tests to understand one’s inclinations and shortcomings is beneficial. Additionally, having a career development plan and regularly reviewing and analyzing it is essential for long-term career planning. Modern business evolves so rapidly that «retraining» into a new specialty may be necessary not just once, but multiple times. Therefore, continual learning, retraining, and ongoing education are indispensable throughout one’s professional journey.

Allow me to share my own career track as an example. As I completed my school education at the close of the previous century, banking, international economics and legal studies were considered the most prestigious higher education paths. With guidance from my parents, I chose a specialty that integrated legal and financial aspects, crisis management, which was deemed relevant after the 1998 crisis.

I ventured into the banking sector, managing relationships with large corporate clients and gaining experience in supporting banking operations and structuring financing deals across industries such as machinery, production of equipment for power plants, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, and other heavy sectors. I spent five years in a leading foreign bank in Russia and another seven years abroad, in two Western European countries.

A decade into my career, it became evident that the banking industry was increasingly subject to strict regulation and operational automation, reducing the need for manpower. Consequently, a surplus of unemployed experienced specialists would emerge, leading to wage decreases due to heightened competition. Recognizing this, I considered my profession at the time, where I had found success and earned a good income, to offer limited prospects for career advancement. I viewed employment in modern technology companies digitizing traditional industries with mass customer demand as more promising.