The Role of the Strategic Advisor in Infrastructure: Your Tool Kit to Aim for Excellence! Janet Mrenica, MA, CPA (CMA), PFA, A.C.C., CMP (Prosci) Director, Program Compliance Community Infrastructure Branch Regional Operations Sector January 19, 2017

Orientation: The Role of the Strategic Advisor Context Who is? What is? Does your role make a difference? The Circle of Influence for Infrastructure How?

Context The FMI-Capital Chapter is a key player in the development of competencies for the « Strategic» and « Financial Management » Advisor . Since 2012-13, 4 professional development days have been held: 270 participants signed up for the inaugural workshop session. Recognition of those who have been supportive of our developmental work: Bill Matthews, Comptroller General, Treasury Board Secretariat Sally Thornton, ADM, OCHRO Sylvie Seguin, Director, CSPS Rosa Paliotti, Director, OCG, TBS David Moore, Director, CIOB, TBS Margaret Van-Amelsvoort-Thoms, OCHRO Edward de Sousa, Health Canada Special recognition: Jamie Tibbets, retired CFO, Health Canada for his long-time support and perseverence in developing the « authentic understanding » of what it takes to be a Strategic Advisor. Will the real FMA please stand up!   The Leader in You http://www.fmi.ca/chapters/capital/2016-2017-professional-development-(pd)-days/2013-2014/

A Strategic Advisor is … Orientation: Who is? A Strategic Advisor is … An Analyst A Challenger An Advisor A Strategist Found across most if not, all job functions and tasks Provision of advice in some form Writing briefing notes And above all …. Servitude: Be A Leader in serving your clients! ARE YOU EQUIPPED?

Orientation: What is it? Value-added Strategic Timely Speaks to your audience Translate technical terms into language of your client Collaborates with Others Sees holistic dynamics between policy, analytics, resources (financial, HR and IT), planning, reporting, performance and accountability Subject matter expertise Change Agent

Orientation: Does your role make a difference? The more complex the sector, the more you have to pay attention Infrastructure is very complex – many specialists involved Lifecycle spans over many years: you provide advice today on an asset: life duration-25-50 years Lifecycle has many stages Proposal Design Build Completion Evaluation

Circle of Influence for Infrastructure Consider the Stakeholders in this picture Where do you see yourself? What is your circle of influence in providing strategic advice? Results for Canadians Consult: Communities where infrastructure is built Consult: Communities who build infrastructure - capability Central agencies (convince first, then assurance) Department (enablers: CFO, IT, HR, Procurement; policy, comms) Branch: ADM, DG, your boss, your colleagues

Circle of Influence for Infrastructure Consider the Stakeholders in this picture Where do you see yourself? What is your circle of influence in providing strategic advice? Results for Canadians cont’d Market sounding- financing (P3 investors, CMHC, financial institutions) Market sounding - contractors, professional service firms Market sounding – Operators/Service Providers Assurance Providers – auditors, evaluators, inspection agencies

Orientation: How to Aim for Excellence? STAND UP ENGAGE in the business of the organization you serve DEVELOP Relationships COLLABORATE TOGETHER: present the complete picture to your clients RESILIENCE to embrace change Become AWARE of the soft skills in LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT What do you OBSERVE? What do you THINK? How do you FEEL? What do you WANT? What do you DO?

In Closing There is much opportunity as a Strategic Advisor. You have never been so well positioned to aim towards excellence – if so the demand for your services will not go away. REFLECTION How well equipped are you for this role? Are there competencies for development that you have identified? What supports do you need? What will your next steps be? Janet.mrenica@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca 819-743-9562