“Briefing Senior Management”

Welcome to the Financial Management Institute

WebinarThursday, December 11, 12:00pm EST

In collaboration with the Aspiring Leaders Network

www.fmi.ca/ALN

Panel

Dave Miller, Consultant and Ex-Senior

Federal Government Financial Manager

Jocelyn Gaumond, Manager, Financial

Systems & Client Services, Financial and

Reporting Products Directorate, PWGSC

Moderator:

Jack Diao, Financial Analyst,

Expenditure management , PWGSC

How to Prepare a Good Brief– Prepare (start thinking about it early)

– Know your purpose/objective (why am I here?, update, decision, approval,

inform, etc…)

– Know your audience

– Know your subject matter (Research)

– Put your ideas/information on paper

– Organize your ideas

– Be clear, concise, to the point, convincing, positive, professional,

respectful, sincere, confident, precise, honest, compelling, polite, be brief

– Review and refine again (objective)

– Don’t sugar coat it (no BS)

– Be brief (the good information, the right information, back-up your

information)

– Team work!!! You are most likely working within a team… consult the

experts

How to Deliver a Good Brief– Choose your tool (verbal or written)

– Get to the point

– Give some background info

– Admit it If you don’t know or are unsure but will find out

– Don’t read your document (make it conversational)

– Eye contact

– Timing is important

– Style, humour, being interesting, explaining things simply, clearlyDon’t

get off track, set rhythm, avoid dead ends, beware of the meeting villain,

be prepared for anything, know how to answer questions,

– Beware of information overload

– Give it to them straight

– Advanced skill: noticing your audience’s reaction

Other Things to Consider

– Using visuals

– Governmentt priorities

– Values & Ethics (respectful, transparent, have

integrity)

– Risk assessment & impacts

– Financial Tables

– The written words/the spoken words can sometimes

be misunderstood (good communications)

Required Skills

1. Communication

2. Listening

3. Strategic thinking

How to Develop Skills

– Courses

– Practice

– Get feedback

– Use available opportunities (seminar, networks,

BP2020 GCWCC, networking etc…)

– MC’ing at seminars, events, etc… (start small)

– Observe leaders, good speakers, good briefs,

Examples

References

Questions and Answers