In 2008, the Great Recession altered organizational operations and how people lived their daily lives. As the economy looks up and we progress out of the financial crisis, many questions remain unanswered surrounding how organizations should approach the changing business landscape. In this engaging session, Tim McGee of U.S. Trust will share his 2013—2014 economic outlook with the goal of helping CFOs become stronger business stewards for their organizations. He will address issues such as globalization, technology and provide a traditional forecast of the economy. Join McGee to learn the trends that will impact you and your business in the near future.

Many companies have adopted a “wait and see” approach to transformational transactions during the past few years of economic uncertainty. However, the current period of slow economic growth may be an ideal time to use divestments to help meet strategic objectives, navigate uncertainty, and create value for stakeholders. Many sellers are even seeing strong buyer competition drive up divestment values. This session will discuss three leading practices that have helped companies exceed their transaction value and speed expectations — using divestments as a strategic portfolio management tool, articulating a compelling value and growth story, and preparing rigorously for separation.

The next phase of the Affordable Care Act is rolling out in October 2013. It’s a benefits and tax law that may also significantly impact a company’s strategies and operations because of its affect on human resources, finance and tax. Are you ready for this change? Carrie Jennison, CFO at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, will discuss what CFOs need to know, so they can be prepared and mitigate costs associated with transitioning to the ACA.

Session discovery topics:
• Affordable Care Act overview
• Impact on a companies’ operations
• Implementation questions

Are you increasing shareholder wealth with cloud computing? If not, you may be missing a key opportunity to increase revenue and to improve cash flow, operating margins, and balance sheet utilization. Cloud technology is radically transforming IT with speed-to-market improvements, enabling rapid innovation and economies of scale, and driving unprecedented cost efficiency. Join Michael Healy, VP of Cloud Computing at IBM and your CFO peers for an insightful discussion on how forward looking firms are using cloud to develop personalized customer relationships, foster real time value chain collaboration, improve financial analysis and increase business agility.

The cost of talent is one of the largest items on most of our budgets, yet we still have difficulty calculating the real value that talent brings to the bottom line. Performance measures fall short as many years find performance ratings high and bottom line results low, or desired outcomes wanting. Research shows a direct connection between accountability and bottom line results. While engaging employees is critical, it turns out that engagement is not enough. Engagement without accountability is chaos. It is the organizations that cultivate a culture of personal accountability that are truly winning. Join Cy Wakeman as she challenges conventional HR wisdom with evidence-based research, revealing the major flaws in the logic supporting traditional talent programs and initiatives. Listen as she provides techniques for hard wiring the magic competency of accountability throughout your team and your organization.

Taxes and the uncertainty surrounding them are the number one issue facing finance executives today. Unsurprisingly, research has linked political uncertainty to a slower economy, higher unemployment and volatile stock prices. So although the fiscal cliff was averted and sequestration cuts were left in place, there has been no sense of a final compromise. Join this session to get a sense of what the upcoming months will hold for U.S and state tax policy.

Session discovery topics:
• U.S. tax reform — what are the chances?
• Trends in IRS audits and processes — will they do more with less?
• What the states are up to -- tax legislation and administration

Only 30 people in the world can serve as the president of an NBA team at any given time. For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure the right person is hired for that job. This past June, Danny Ferry became the GM and president of the Atlanta Hawks as the only candidate targeted by the owner of the team, Bruce Levenson. If Ferry was the only candidate, why then, did the hiring process take four months? Ferry and Levenson will share the Hawks’ extensive hiring process, including the role an agent and a negotiator played, how the organization orchestrated privacy by excluding the media, and how both the candidate and owner were able to interview one another in order to ensure a perfect fit. In this session, go behind the scenes at the Atlanta Hawks and learn why hiring for an executive position requires more than just looking at resumes.