When I was leaving Funding Circle after being the Finance Director for 5 years, my boss gave me one of the best recommendations for my next role.

And that was to read "The First 90 Days" by Michael Watkins.

Even though this book is targeted for C-Suite new or newly promoted employees, it is totally relevant if you are starting as a Finance Leader in a new role.

So it doesn't matter if you aren't the next CFO, you would get a lot out of this as an FD or Head of Finance or any other role that requires leadership skills.

Honestly, there is so much goodness in this book, its difficult to summarise, but some initial takeaways you may find useful are:

1. Plan, plan, plan. How can you get to a "breakeven" point as quickly as possible (when you are no longer using up resources to educate yourself about the business). Where are the quick wins - implement these first. Longer term project plan on adding value and implementing change over time.
2. Relationship building - identify who are the key stakeholders and focus on how best to work with them. Where are the sources of knowledge? Work out how to work with your boss (be it CEO or sometimes Board) - come prepared and work out how they like to be kept informed.
3. Alignment. What is the longer term vision? The strategic and operational goals? What are the KPIs? This will help you to prioritise first and then look at the validity of the shorter term goals, second.

You can see my other book recommendations here.

If you need support and mentoring to improve your Finance Leadership skills, here are four ways I can help...

Links:

1. Get your FREE Guide: Stepping into the role of Finance Director or CFO
2. Follow me and let me know what challenges you are having right now.
3. Register for the mini-course, Upgrade your Management Accounts and get noticed by the business 
4. Work with me in the new / aspiring FD course and includes Q&A sessions where we can discuss all of your questions and how to apply your learnings to your current role.