Not Politics, a Business Lesson…
Maybe I’m a bit slow, but I’ve just realised what’s happening to our country, but more importantly why!
I believe that we are stagnant, a country lacking in ideas, scared to innovate and create. The reason for this manifests itself in many organisations across the UK. Accountants run companies. Don’t get me wrong we all need accountants and I know some great ones and have worked 
with some, however they rarely inspire, enthuse, motivate; they are much more likely to restrict, control, ask for proof and evidence. That is after all their job.
So back to politics for a second, our country is being run by an FD not an inspirational CEO!
The UK produces great innovators: James Dyson, Jonathan Ive, (he invented the iPod) and others, yet often they get ignored. As we feel the first rays of hope at the end of this crunch induced recession, let’s not ignore creativity and innovation. It brings new perspective to our thinking and acts as a catalyst for action; it excites people.
And excited people naturally do more, think more and live more than frightened ones.
As ever…. you are right on the money (no pun intended)
….and a great way to quosh any innovation, creativity and enthusiasm…”Regulation”…well, unless you’re running a bank, when that doesn’t seem to count for much.
I have an interesting theory on this. Since the 80′s about one third of graduates have been lured into the accountancy professional, attracted by security, large salaries and the fast track to board positions.
I qualified as an chartered accountant in 1995. By 1996 I had already moved into marketing and by 1999 I was a sales manager. I now work as a Sales Director for a US visionary leader in the technology space. As a mature start up we are now set to take the market as leaders in our field.
A financial qualification is only a problem if you let it constrain you. If you use it as a foundation for your career it can be an excellent weapon. Talking finance fluently can be a major asset in your dealings with suppliers, customers, partners and investors.
My view is that finance in itself is not a problem. It only becomes a problem if you allow it to define your attitude to risk or if you allow it to thwart your creativity.
To be honest most of the CEO’s and MD’s that I know that have come from a finance background do not fit the traditional accountants stereotype. Perhaps this is a direct result of the sheer volume of graduates choosing finance as their base discipline – we cant all be boring.