By Chris Mohr

Looking for a New Opportunity? Sharpen Your Skills Around What Board’s Are looking For

OASBO Workshop April 9, 2014

OASBO Treasurer Searches

• OASBO partnership with K-12 Business Consulting & Finding Leaders

• OASBO served over 60 districts; performed numerous searches…many repeat requests

• Goal is to serve membership by helping find solid matches which helps members and districts

• Provide mentoring as needed

• Also offer Shared Service Facilitation

Our Process

• 6 Steps to a Quality Treasurer Search “ If you don’t know where you are going any road will get you there”

• Step 1- Identify Skills & Characteristics • Step 2 – Get Buy-In on Profile from BOE • Step 3- Publicize & Recruit • Step 4- Help BOE Select 3-5 Semi-finalists • Step 5- Help BOE Identify Select Candidate • Step 6 – Team Building as Requested • OASBO provides a high quality search that is affordable

What the Search Profiles Says Is #1

• We work with several different groups, to build a search profile not just one person or groups thought

• #1 thing BOE’s are looking for is a CFO….. Communicating Finance Officer! • Effective Communication is in high demand • Person who can explain school finance to various groups • Respond to groups with cool demeanor • Communicate with confidence • Has inter-personal communication skill as well • If you can’t communicate you can’t lead • Communication is no longer a soft skill

Profiles Say #2 is Financial Leadership

• This is more your CFO ….Chief Financial Officer • Highly knowledgeable of school finance& laws • Use this knowledge to help BOE and administration

make things happen • A person who can use this knowledge creatively • A person who is looking for creative ways to get

extraordinary results form ordinary resources • Not looking for a Mr or Ms “No can’t do that” • NO is part of the job. A CFO finds a different way to

frame the issue…resource allocation is about choices.

Profiles Say #3 Is Technical Competence

• The Financial Leader must be technically competent • Clean audits matter. It is external verification • Be an innovator in office procedure/ideas • Look for efficiency • Benchmark your district with similar districts look for

explanations to differences • Learn how to prepare an effective PowerPoint

presentation • Constantly improve your skills and those of others

around you in your office • Hire excellent support staff

Profiles Say Be Involved in Education #4

• Our jobs exist because of education and not the other way around

• Often referred to as organization management • Be involved in curriculum discussions, ask questions, show you

care • Don’t be a Chief Obstructionist to academic needs. Use your

knowledge to help • When you say “no” remember a budget is about choices in

priorities with limited resources • If you show you care it is less offensive when no has to be the

final answer • Build key relationships. It is part of being involved

Other Important Things to Do • All profiles mention honestly and integrity

• Be a person who is good to work with in a team

• Be a collaborator

• Build relationships with your BOE, Administrators and other key stakeholders

• The fact that you are honest, have integrity and are good to work with comes through in your responses in interviews

Interview Miscues • Blue, gray and blacks with white shirt and/or blouse are

always appropriate…colored shirts and loud ties are risky

• Polish shoes

• Deep breaths and slow exhales help you relax

• Smile

• When answering questions …make sure you answer them and don’t drone on and on…nothing is more painful to watch and sit through

• Make eye contact when answering a question

• If you bring material hand it out at the end of the interview otherwise it may distract the BOE

Interview Miscue Part II

• If you are requested to make a presentation make sure you practice it…practicing just once will improve your effectiveness by 50%!

• Time yourself….10-15 minutes is all it takes to cover a forecast

• “Please tell us a little about yourself”…. Be concise no more than 5 minutes. This is your introduction but the interview is what the BOE wants to do. Don’t start at birth!

A Word About Your Current BOE

• If you are going to apply and interview then it is wise to mention this to your Supt. and at least BOE president…face to face preferably

• This is a delicate situation

• What if they counter offer?

• What if they feel your commitment is to district is gone?

• Main thing is don’t burn bridges

Questions

• Thank you for attending and your participation in OASBO