Bayport Financial Services’ CEO Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, explains why having employees return to the office is not enough to improve productivity and why leaders should transparently explain expectations of workers.

Ramosedi details the benefits for organisations that are intentional about bringing employees back to the office, where morale could be affected by return-to-office policies, and what three things senior leaders can do to drive productivity across all work models and environments.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

§ Four reasons companies are asking employees to return to the office.

§ Why leaders need to understand and communicate how they intend to measure productivity.

§ Three possible advantages for companies’ bringing employees back to the office.

§ Morale concerns that could arise from return-to-office policies.

§ The importance of rewarding employees with flexible working arrangements.

§ Three things leaders can consider to drive productivity across all work models.

Author Mike Drayton, a clinical psychologist and leadership coach at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, explores attributes professionals can build on to be more persuasive at work, key distinctions between persuasion and manipulation, and examples of coercion in the workplace.

He also explains why expanding influence in the workplace is less about “clever words or phrases” and more about exhibiting expertise and reliability.

On 8 May, Drayton is scheduled to speak on influencing and persuasion skills at AICPA & CIMA’s 2025 CPD 360 Annual Conference at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement in the UK.

Last July on the FM podcast, he shared tips for managing burnout, including how to adopt firm boundaries to prioritise wellbeing.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

§ Some differences between influence and persuasion.

§ Attributes and behaviours that can make us more persuasive.

§ Distinctions between persuasion and manipulation.

§ How to spot and respond to coercive tactics in the workplace.

§ Two fundamental traits that make us more respected at work.

§ Questions to help professionals identify their strengths and weaknesses.

This episode features Oliver Rowe, FM’s editor-in-chief, detailing the contents of the magazine’s April digital edition.

The discussion highlights articles on artificial intelligence (AI), including one that advises how finance can steer AI adoption. Rowe also details the key points of an article on understanding and avoiding burnout and discusses April’s regular columns.

Also included: an explanation of how members can access the April digital edition as well as the issue library.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The edition’s focus on AI and explanation of three AI-related articles.

· Advice from regular FM writer Rhymer Rigby on avoiding burnout.

· A practical Excel article: How to create a chart template in Excel.

· The other articles in the edition, including regular columns, a Q&A with Association CEO Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, and Institute News.

· Ways to access the April edition.