18. Elevation to Strategic Advisor

This transition, from compliance based reporting and analysis of historical financial information, to one more closely aligned with forward looking guidance and advice, is not one that can happen given the current status of technology and education within the financial services landscape. Elevating and becoming more of a strategic partner within the business decision making process will require better integration of technology tools, processes, and procedures and strategies leveraging technology must become a part of the financial services conversation. What makes the current era seemingly different from prior technology trends and forces is the fact that, instead of representing an iteration or step development building on current technologies, blockchain and artificial intelligence are two disruptive tools. Let’s not forget, and avoid getting lost in the technical jargon, just what exactly both artificial intelligence and blockchain might change about the financial services landscape and conversation (Fig. 18.1).