3 things we learned at the 2024 Eurofinance Treasury Conference
This year, Eurofinance was in Copenhagen – and what a great place it is. Easy to get around, great food, welcoming people.
We spoke to over 100 corporate treasurers and cash managers during our 2.5 full days at the Eurofinance Treasury Conference - and we listened into some of the sessions on the main stage and amongst the various side panels.
Here are the main things we heard or discussed.
Take control of DPO:
Working capital KPIs are coming, if not already here for most treasurers. And getting control over DPO (days payables outstanding) remains a challenge.
Principally that's because terms of business in supply chains are typically set elsewhere in their business. New tools and approaches are needed.
We're not that happy with SCF:
A common feedback from treasurers was that existing SCF programs are not performing as they would wish.
There can be a low uptake from suppliers, there's limited reach (eg: only the top 100 suppliers) and often execution lacks transparency, especially when banks are syndicating and managing pricing directly with suppliers. Quite a few programs are under review.
Data, data, data:
Better information is needed about supply chains, suppliers and cash flows.
Often treasury looks at the position from the group level, but data and relationships are scattered across multiple subsidiaries, geographies, divisions and finance teams. Data is a problem.
It was a significant gathering of treasury professionals
And our thoughts?
It’s been a great few days - a chance to get direct feedback on market developments and listen to what corporate treasurers have to say.
And we can help. We have the solutions you are looking for.
Tim in full flow!
Our “dashboard challenge" is resonating with the corporate audience – a good way to compare payables / supply chain platforms in order to test their reach and the scope of the data that they can surface. See more here.
Importantly, there is certainly an increasing willingness to look at new approaches to payables and supply chain finance programs.
That's in order to:
extend their reach out to all suppliers,
drive existing banking supports better (but without amending or replacing them),
and which can deliver margin enhancements that can be used to open up the discussion with procurement and align all the corporate teams behind better management of working capital.
At the end of a long day at Eurofinance!
Eurofinance Treasury Conference 2024 - it's over
It's been a delight for us – and if we caught up with you - fantastic.
And if we didn’t, please do connect and let’s have some more talks about how we can help you to address the challenges you’ve all identified, whether that's upgrading your existing programs (leaving existing arrangements with funders intact) or adding new.
Kris and Tim
Copenhagen, October 2024