As many of us set off for new shoes for our school-age children, our August interview features Jon Stafford FCCA who, as director of strategic financial planning at Clarks, has worked to turn the brand from schoolwear stalwart to social-media cool. The company has an innovative brand strategy, including savvy digital marketing (two million followers on TikTok) and footballer Raheem Sterling as a global ambassador. Clarks has also collaborated with Adidas and Pokémon, and the shoes are even available in the Metaverse. Find out more about Stafford’s role in the brand’s transformation.

Meanwhile, our article on digital currencies (which also offers one CPD unit) looks at the central banks around the world that are flirting with cryptos. Some are more advanced in their plans than others but, as Carolyn Wilkins from Princeton University Griswold Center for Economic Policy said recently, ‘The list of issues that need to be resolved is daunting.’

Also daunting is the process of restructuring and redundancy, which requires sensitive handling by organisations. Our exploration of the many uses of outplacement services looks at how finance professionals can support companies as they go through the journey.

And in practice advice, we look at how AI can help you understand and react to your clients’ needs. There is also an article about how to have low-pressure conversations with your clients in order to help grow the business.

Finally, in other soft skills guidance, we look at how to reduce your nerves when giving presentations or speaking in public.

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