Developing Business Acumen Necessary to Become a Strategic Business Partner with Robert Blanding

Why It Matters

Developing business acumen and unconventional networking can fast‑track finance leaders into strategic CFO roles, directly influencing company growth and competitiveness.

Key Takeaways

• Great FP&A requires deep business acumen and stakeholder partnership.
• Lateral moves broaden experience, essential for future CFO roles.
• Early networking builds contacts who become CEOs and CFOs.
• Non‑CPA backgrounds succeed with strong operational finance expertise.
• Creative job searches, like a son’s tip, can land CFO roles.

Summary

The episode of FP&A Unlocked features Robert Blanding, CFO of Fall Creek, discussing how finance professionals can evolve into strategic business partners.

Blanding stresses that great FP&A is defined by deep business acumen, proactive stakeholder partnership, and forward‑looking insight, not just number‑crunching. He advises building breadth through lateral moves, mastering operational finance, and staying fast on the learning curve.

He illustrates his points with anecdotes – his son’s internet search that uncovered a CFO opening, a food‑poisoning interview that he still aced, and the fact that Intel was a major customer of his first CFO company, underscoring the power of relevant experience and networks.

For aspiring CFOs, the takeaways are clear: cultivate cross‑functional expertise, nurture early‑career networks, and be willing to take unconventional paths, because strategic finance impact hinges on context‑driven decision support.

Original Description

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Robert Blanding, an experienced finance and operations leader in the ag-tech sector. Robert shares insights on building high-performing FP&A teams, partnering effectively with accounting, developing financial acumen, and applying strategic finance to drive operational impact in global businesses.

Robert Blanding is the Chief Financial Officer at Fall Creek, a global leader in the Ag-Tech sector. He brings extensive experience in finance and operations from 18 years at Intel and leadership roles across industrial manufacturing, technology, and ag-tech companies. Robert combines strategic financial leadership with a focus on innovation, long-term business growth, and developing high-performing teams.

Expect to Learn:

What great FP&A looks like and the importance of business acumen

How to develop strong partnerships between FP&A and accounting

Strategies for building high-performing, empowered finance teams

Navigating systems, processes, and technology challenges in FP&A

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

"It starts with being connected to the business, having strong acumen, and being consulted by stakeholders." – Robert Blanding

"Investing in relationships outside of crisis is critical to getting support from accounting and operations." – Robert Blanding

Robert shares practical insights for FP&A professionals and aspiring CFOs, emphasizing the importance of business acumen, strong partnerships with accounting, creative problem-solving, and developing high-performing teams.

Follow Robert:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfb19/

Company Website: https://www.fallcreeknursery.com/

Earn Your CPE Credit

For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[00:00] – Trailer

[03:55] – Defining Great FP&A

[07:39] – Career Path & First CFO Role

[17:49] – Fall Creek & Ag-Tech Overview

[21:18] – Importance of FP&A & Accounting Partnership

[32:23] – Creative Problem Solving & Process Improvement

[38:59] – Challenges in Building High-Performing Teams

[45:32] – Advice for Aspiring CFOs

[49:11] – Top Technical Skill for FP&A Professionals

[52:50] – Personal Interests & Basketball

[56:12] – How to Connect with Robert