Behind the name
When 3D FD was formed in 2008, business support, solutions and certain business practices were starting to move to remote or cloud-based solutions. With this growing trend, and the opportunity in the future for augmented reality, video-calls and communication being delivered electronically, we did not want the importance of face to face contact, and being in and around the client company’s we worked with to be diluted.
We consider there are two significant advantages to being on-site when delivering financial advice or strategic consultancy – one relates to the understanding of the business- the environment, the values, the people and the cultural norms. The second relates to the effectiveness of communication – both in listening to or receiving data, and also in imparting information and recommendations.
Every company is different – comprised of different employees, managed by different people, and whilst two competing companies may have similar products of offers, within the business will be differing skill levels, focuses, motivations and cultural values. Understanding what drives the decision makers; what the long term goal and vision is, and the capabilities of the people and resources within the business is fundamental to delivering effective, tailored, advice. The cultural values, control environment, systems and competencies can be better measured by being on-site.
Albert Mehrabian, Professor of Psychology at UCLA, found in his studies that there are “subtle aspects of interpersonal communication” which are made through “actual words (7%), visual communication (body language, eye contact; 55%) and vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice; 38%).” Of course communication is two way – both listening and speaking, and to communicate most effectively on both fronts, it is effective to be face to face.
This is where the “3D” in 3D FD came from – we are 3D – in person, in your company, influencing the culture, building relationships with employees throughout the organisation, and our roles often result in us being a very present and active member of the management teams or boards of our client companies.
The “FD” element of 3D FD may be more obvious – 3D FD consultants are qualified accountants – we have worked as Financial Directors, Consultants and / or Non-Executive Directors. As a part-time Financial Director, we draw on our arsenal of skills, experience and contacts to provide a scaled approach to helping business grow, or realise their visions to a point where they have the budget and requirement for full-time provision. A growing small or medium sized business is likely to have growing demands across a suite of areas – investing in a healthy relationship with the businesses’ bank, lawyers and other professional partners as well as managing cash-flow, management reporting and the financial control environment. These things done well by an experienced Financial Director do not come cheap, and having a part-time solution provides the opportunity to scale.
As is our preference, and where possible, our 3D FD consultants perform our professional services on-site and face to face with decision makers and business owners.
References: http://www.kaaj.com/psych/smorder.html
Further reading: Nonverbal Communication; Albert Mehrabian