www.controllerverein.de, August 2010
On 27th, 28th May 2010 Poznan became a capital of Polish controlling. As every Lear there appeared controllers from leading Polish and foreign companies to take part in the 4th International Congress of Controllers: Controlling Intelligence Adventure (CIA).
This year the participants came in large numbers not only to exchange experiences, get to know new trends and raise their references, but also or mainly, to estimate what is the real Picture “after storm”.
The results, which are possible to define after numerous discussions and presented lectures are unambiguous, the last crisis again very strongly defined the role of a controller in a company. Without doubt, in a contemporary situation, a controller must be close to business, close to market problems and often difficult decisions. They need to have not only analytical skills but also must interpret market relations, competition context and define strategic scenarios better than before.
To be a real management partner, a controller must be himself a leader of changes, a creator of new challenges, increase his self confidence and communication skills. They have to change from hermetic structure of the language of numbers, charts and tables into the world of business, relations, links and also emotions, which accompany these changes.
The borders of the responsibility scope enlarge, the endless work on relations between finances and business is obligatory so as mutual understanding could help in gaining competition advantage in future.
We could listen lectures about the experiences of:
- Igor Kostyszyn, Finance Director, Polfa Warszawa PLC,
- Maciej Bienkowski, Operations & Logistics Controller, Coca-Cola HBC Polska Ltd,
- Iwona Niewrzoł, Manager of the Business Decision Assistance Depar tment, ZPC Mieszko PLC,
- Astrid Zakrzewska, Director PwC Academy, PricewaterhouseCoopers,
- Tomasz Debicki, Plant Controller, Philips Lighting Poland PLC O/Pabianice,
- Bartosz Gayer, Operational Controller, Żywiec Zdrój PLC,
- Rainer Vieregge, Businesscoach, RVA Consulting, Aachen,
- Ph.D. Konrad Marchlewski, Board Vice-President, Atlas Ltd,
- Matilda Crossman, Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe, The ExP Group,
- Mariusz Andrysiak, Director of Managing Information Department Bankowy Fundusz Leasingowy PLC,
- Paweł Zygarłowski, Board President Centrum Rozwoju Szkół Wyzszych TEB Akademia,
- Grzegorz Dadela, Financial Director, Subaru Import PolskaLtd.,
- Arkadiusz Kasprzak, Vice-President KKS Lech Poznan PLC.
However, there is an optimistic idea from the picture shown by spokespeople as well as from backstage conversations that many Polish controllers have been ready to akcept this challenge and take up a role of reliable and objective partner, who points at risks, notices chances and can not only define them but also interpret in a wider business context.
They definitely stated that they became partners for the boards, who were more helpful to go through storms and turbulences. Boards’ Presidents taking part in the Congress emphasized the necessity of this direction and tight cooperation in the scope of creating a strategy, setting new business frames and defining business together.
Backstage conversations and evening integration meetings proved again that apart from substantial development, taking part in the CIA Congress is a great chance to exchange views and make new, interesting contacts. Next chance, next year in Poznan 26th, 27th May 2011. Note this date in your diary!
Edyta Szarska
