Acting like an owner and the value of international experience, with Rita Kale
The traditional perception of the CFO as a financial gatekeeper is outdated. Today's growth-minded CFO is a strategic partner, deeply involved in shaping a company's future.
Rita Kale is a seasoned CFO with extensive experience in international markets, who exemplifies the role of the modern CFO.
Rita Kale's journey: A blend of global vision and local execution
Rita Kale's career at Roche Pharmaceuticals was a testament to her adaptability and understanding of global business dynamics. As a regional and country CFO for multiple markets, she gained invaluable experience navigating diverse cultural and economic landscapes.
Her role as regional CFO for Asia Pacific, encompassing 11 markets, exposed her to a wide range of healthcare systems. From mature and progressive systems like Australia and Singapore to more economically constrained systems like Indonesia and Vietnam, Rita developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in each market.
Rita's background in audit provided her with a solid foundation for her role as CFO. As she explained:
"It's a helicopter view of how things are done, but it is the best university in terms of teaching you how each of the countries operate."
Her auditing experience gave her a deep understanding of operations while also providing her with a broader perspective on the business.
This combination of global vision and local execution was essential for Rita's success at Roche Pharmaceuticals. Her ability to adapt to different cultural contexts and understand the nuances of various markets allowed her to effectively lead finance teams and drive business growth.
The art of adaptation: Navigating international markets and diverse contexts
Rita's experience in leading various functions, including auditing and SAP implementations, underscores the importance of adaptability in the modern CFO's role. Her unique perspective as a former SAP consultant provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with ERP implementations.
As Rita emphasizes, understanding local contexts and stakeholder perspectives is crucial for avoiding costly mistakes in ERP implementations.
She draws a parallel between strength training and the importance of upfront investment in ERP design. Just as a runner benefits from strength training, a CFO can save time and money by investing in a well-designed ERP system.
"People who don't like getting into the design phase of an ERP system are most likely people who don't like fixing things later on either, so it's a choice".
By actively participating in the design phase and ensuring that the system aligns with business objectives, CFOs can optimize processes and avoid costly errors. This requires a deep understanding of the business, including process flows, information flow, and customer and peer expectations.
The CFO's involvement in ERP implementations also demonstrates the importance of switching between strategic and operational roles. While the CFO may often focus on high-level strategy, successful ERP implementations require a hands-on approach and attention to detail. By effectively balancing these roles, CFOs can ensure that their organizations' ERP systems are aligned with their strategic goals.
Acting Like an Owner: Startup Lessons from Rita Kale
Rita Kale's transition to startups has been a transformative experience, providing her with valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of this dynamic environment. Her previous startup experience and current role at Graviton Bioscience have solidified her understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of acting like an owner.
Reflecting on her startup experience, Rita emphasizes the immense personal and professional growth it provided.
"I emerged from that three years later, as a person who had built their own website, done strategic deals with Google and Microsoft...Anything and everything. You wear so many hats."
Her experience as a founder has profoundly influenced her approach to finance leadership in larger companies. She now understands the true meaning of owning a business, making decisions with the same level of commitment and resourcefulness as a founder.
"When I went back into the corporate world, I knew what it actually meant to have to take those decisions. I understood that cash is king for a business and how important it is to truly optimize resources and make sure that everything that you invest, you get the return for."
One of the biggest challenges Rita faced when transitioning to startups was rebuilding her professional network. In larger companies, she had a vast network of contacts she could rely on for support and advice. In a startup, she had to start from scratch, building new relationships and seeking guidance from external sources.
Another challenge Rita encountered was the increased scope of responsibilities in a startup. While she had previously focused on specific areas of finance, as a startup founder she was responsible for all aspects of the business, including R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization. This required her to develop a broader range of skills and knowledge.
Despite the challenges, Rita thoroughly enjoyed her startup experiences. She found the entrepreneurial environment to be exhilarating and rewarding, allowing her to make a significant impact and drive innovation. Her advice to other CFOs considering a transition to startups is to embrace the opportunity to learn and grow, and to be prepared to take on a wide range of responsibilities.
Rita's insights offer valuable lessons for CFOs who aspire to become more entrepreneurial. By acting like an owner, understanding cash flow dynamics, building a strong network, and embracing a wide range of responsibilities, CFOs can contribute significantly to the success of startups and drive innovation in their organizations.
The importance of work-life balance: Finding your own rhythm for productivity
Rita's journey to discovering the importance of work-life balance as a CFO is a testament to the power of self-care and personal well-being. She emphasizes the significance of finding time for oneself, whether it's through running, pottery, or meditation.
"I was turning 40 and I wanted to do something a little bit different for my 40th I didn't want to have this big party that everybody wants to have at the time. I thought I'll do something a little different. So my husband and I were in Central Park at the time and we saw the end of the New York Marathon. And I saw that people of all shapes and sizes were coming back in and it really looked like they were achieving something. I didn't know a thing about running until then. I'd never run a minute in my life, nothing at all. And I was so inspired by, you know, seeing people come back. So I said to my husband, I think that's what I'm going to do for my 40th. I'm going to run a marathon."
Rita sums up her passion for running, as something that gives her the mental space top be more productive in her work:
"I think the work-life balance, at least the way I'm looking at it, is doing something that allows you space and time, beyond just working on something."
Rita's experience highlights how work-life balance can enhance productivity and problem-solving abilities. By taking time for herself, she is able to think more clearly and creatively, leading to better decision-making and increased effectiveness.
"I think a lot of the time that I spend running, especially before I have a really big meeting coming up, I actually don't listen to podcasts, which I normally do when I run. So I don't listen to anything. I don't listen to music. I don't listen to podcasts. I just think when I'm running and by the end of that run, my mind is a lot better sorted out than when it was when I went. So now I allow for that time. I don't even do much prep. I know that I'm going to do it when I run."
Rita's story also underscores the importance of finding your own unique approach to work-life balance. What works for one person may not work for another, so it's essential to experiment and discover what works best for you.
Ultimately, work-life balance is not just about taking time off; it's about creating a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle that allows you to perform at your best. By prioritizing self-care and finding activities that bring you joy and peace, you can enhance your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.