What led you to take part in the program?

“Essentially, I’m a systems scientist with no real background in finance, other than what I’ve learned via my managerial responsibility for individual elements, such as budgets, profitability, and cost monitoring, plus the things I learned when I had my own company, some years ago. When I took over as VP, I felt I lacked a good grasp of business finance in a broader sense – which is a must in my role if I’m to act as a good sounding board for and complement to the CEO. What I needed was to progress to a higher level in terms of strategic thinking, and of my ability to interpret annual accounts and reports and to understand the consequences of different choices. I’d heard people recommend the Stockholm School of Economics’ Executive Education programs in other contexts and the program description sounded like a perfect match for my requirements.”

What are your thoughts on the program, generally speaking?

“I didn’t expect learning more about finance to be entertaining or interesting: it’d be more accurate to say my approach to the program was a combination of horror and apprehension! But it was absolutely fascinating! The tutors made the subject so interesting, everything was structured so clearly, and the objectives were obvious. The entire program felt unbelievably relevant because everything was presented, pretty much constantly, in terms of how it related to the companies represented there, or to companies you know. Which means you remember the things you learned in a completely different way. I have to say that the program was both intensive and demanding, but the fact that you do it away from home, so you can go into a kind of focused bubble was really useful.”

“I DIDN’T EXPECT LEARNING MORE ABOUT FINANCE TO BE ENTERTAINING OR INTERESTING: IT’D BE MORE ACCURATE TO SAY MY APPROACH TO THE PROGRAM WAS A COMBINATION OF HORROR AND APPREHENSION! BUT IT WAS ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING!”

Has you learned from the program been useful in your work?

“Oh, absolutely! There’s a lot happening in my sector, and questions about possible ways ahead are always coming up. The program has given me a completely different level of certainty and basic understanding when I take part in discussions of the financial and economic aspects of various choices. I have a much deeper understanding of the big picture and context at corporate level – it’s like I have a completely new filter on reality. I am, quite simply, a better sidekick for my CEO. To give you just one example: I have a better understanding of the consequences of merging two companies, rather than keeping them as subsidiaries. Yes, I still have a long way to go before it’s all automatic, but the bar when confusion sets in is much, much higher now!”

“I HAVE A MUCH DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIG PICTURE AND CONTEXT AT CORPORATE LEVEL – IT’S LIKE I HAVE A COMPLETELY NEW FILTER ON REALITY. I AM, QUITE SIMPLY, A BETTER SIDEKICK FOR MY CEO.”

Was there anything else about the program that you particularly appreciated?

“The composition of the group was very good, with different sized companies in a wide range of different sectors. It was a real eye-opener, seeing how different organizations can benefit from the same information – that there’s a shared framework. What was also interesting was the different experiences and challenges that everyone spoke about, and which we could all learn from. Your gain a broader and better understanding when you learn about other companies’ challenges and value drivers. I’d also like to give a shout out to the rehearsal exercises we had between the modules: they were really good!”

To whom would you recommend the program?

“To anyone whose financial responsibility extends beyond groups or projects, who has no financial background themselves and wants to know more – as the program name indicates, you obviously do have to be in some sort of management or leadership role where you can impact the company’s finances. Bottom line, I can honestly say that this is the best course I’ve ever been on!”

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