In today’s uncertain world, manufacturer and producer businesses like yours face uncertainty on a number of fronts. Customers are becoming ever more demanding, leading to shifts in buying trends. International trade wars are sparking fears of another global downturn. And the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly every business in some way, with lasting uncertainty and new ways of working.
As a finance professional, this means your role will undoubtedly have evolved in recent times. No longer simply responsible for managing key finance initiatives, you’re a protector of the business. As the treasurer at a Mid-Market Enterprise in the packaging industry tells us, “A key role I undertake is forecasting and projecting business performance against the budget, reporting directly into our CFO. I am accountable for creating action plans whenever we are off budget.”
To keep the business working effectively, you need to safeguard against unpredictable movements in the market, stabilising your finances in volatile times. Sometimes it can feel like you spend all your time just keeping the plates spinning. However, where there’s disruption, there’s always opportunity.