The complexity of globalization precludes any easy answers when it comes to achieving success for the finance organization. Every finance organization needs to understand the competitive landscape in which it exists in order to position finance as a true value-added partner that understands and provides strategic context around business decisions.

In order to do that, the finance organization needs to incorporate the following seven key lessons to position finance as a truly global organization that provides the capabilities, flexibility, and scalability to drive continuous business value over time. This first post introduces the seven keys. In subsequent posts I’ll expand on each one.

The seven keys to globalization success are:

• Align finance capabilities with strategic intent

• Align finance operating model to support strategic capabilities

• Establish global operating standards

• Control through a global governance model

• Develop a global managerial mindset

• Maintain a global performance monitoring system

• Create a scalable yet agile organization

Global Business Services is a key design consideration as finance organizations position themselves for the future.