FIC
doing good business
Value for the future CFOs said a human-centred approach is key to creating a sustainable business, with people powered by technology integral to defining the value of your business.
“
BY JANE STEINACKER
There are three things that a business needs to focus on when it comes to defining its true value: innovation, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), and most importantly, a human-centred approach,” said Thobeka Ntshiza, CFO at Avis South Africa. She made the comment during the Finance Indaba Conversation, titled ’Defining value for business of the future’, which was sponsored by Envestnet Yodlee. Thobeka believes that of the three, paying attention to people is the most important. “This extends beyond customers, but to your employ-
56
ees and suppliers as well,” she said. Anusha Ramraj, CFO at CCI South Africa, the country’s largest call centre, agrees. “Before I make any decision I think about it as being human beings first – that’s before I put my CFO hat on. If you want to do business smartly, you need to invest in the human element of your business,” she said. Dzingira Matenga, managing director of Accenture, was in full agreement. “In Africa we must not leave our people behind. People want to buy and do business with people who look like them,” he said. This is one of the reasons that a focus on transformation in the business is vital to a company’s success.
