Building Finance Teams That Actually Work Together
Most finance departments struggle with silos. People work in the same office but might as well be on different planets. We help Australian companies create cultures where finance teams collaborate naturally, share knowledge freely, and support each other's growth.
Explore Our Approach
Why Culture Matters More Than You Think
Here's something we've noticed after working with dozens of finance teams. The technical skills are usually fine. People know their spreadsheets, understand the regulations, can build a decent model.
But the culture? That's where things fall apart. Teams where senior staff hoard information. Departments where asking questions feels like admitting weakness. Places where everyone's so busy protecting their territory that actual collaboration becomes impossible.
We saw this firsthand at a mid-sized manufacturing firm in Melbourne. Brilliant people, each doing their own thing. Six months after we started working with them, they'd cut their month-end close time by 40%. Not because we taught them new technical tricks, but because they finally started talking to each other.
That's what we focus on. Building environments where finance professionals feel comfortable sharing what they know, admitting what they don't, and helping each other get better. It sounds simple, but it's rare.
Three Things That Make Finance Teams Click
Based on what we've seen work in real organizations
Psychological Safety
People need to know they won't get burned for speaking up. When junior analysts can challenge senior managers' assumptions without fear, better decisions happen. We help teams create that space through structured dialogue practices and leadership modeling.
Knowledge Sharing Systems
Documentation that people actually use. Regular knowledge transfer sessions that don't feel like torture. Ways for experienced staff to share what they know without feeling threatened. These aren't revolutionary concepts, but they're surprisingly uncommon in practice.
Growth Mindsets
Finance professionals who see challenges as learning opportunities rather than threats. Teams that celebrate improvement, not just perfection. Organizations where admitting you need help is seen as strength, not weakness. That shift in perspective changes everything.
I spent fifteen years watching talented finance people leave organizations not because of the work, but because of the culture. Teams where collaboration felt impossible. Where knowledge was power, so nobody shared anything. That's what got me interested in this field.
Callum Thorburn
Lead Program Designer
Callum worked in corporate finance for three major Australian companies before shifting focus to organizational development. He's particularly interested in how finance departments can move from competitive to collaborative cultures without losing their analytical edge.
His approach combines behavioral psychology research with practical implementation strategies that actually work in real finance environments. No theoretical frameworks that look great on paper but fall apart when you try to use them.
How We Work With Organizations
Our programs typically run over several months. Culture change doesn't happen in a weekend workshop, and we won't pretend it does. Here's what a typical engagement looks like, though we customize based on your team's specific needs.
01
Discovery
Understanding Your Current State
We start by talking to people across your finance organization. Not just leadership. We want to hear from the analysts doing the daily work, the managers caught in the middle, the executives trying to drive change.
This takes about three weeks and involves confidential conversations, observation of team interactions, and review of how information currently flows through your department.
02
Design
Creating Your Specific Program
Based on what we learned, we design interventions that address your actual problems. Not generic team building. Specific practices and structures that will help your people work together more effectively.
This might include new meeting formats, knowledge sharing systems, mentorship frameworks, or communication protocols. Whatever makes sense for your situation.
03
Implementation
Rolling Out Changes Gradually
We work alongside your team to implement new practices over three to six months. Starting small, learning what works, adjusting what doesn't. Regular check-ins ensure we're moving in the right direction.
Our facilitators are available for questions, troubleshooting, and support as your team adapts to new ways of working. Change is messy, and we're there to help navigate it.