Binod Shankar | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

I started off in industrial banking before moving to audit with KPMG, Andersen and EY then switched to real estate development with Nakheel ( the Govt owned developer of the iconic Palm Islands) where I rapidly rose to become Finance Director.

I quit corporate life when I was an Executive Director with an Asset Manager. Then co-founded and led Genesis, the largest CFA prep provider in the Middle East. This was sold to Kaplan Inc, the $ 2 bln training and publishing giant.

The CFA program is quite challenging and I have taught thousands and mentored dozens since 2009, 250 + of whom have got their charter. I am seen as an authority on CFA prep, finance careers and employability and as someone who gives practical, expert yet inspirational advice. This is the theme and objective of my podcast channel (The Real Finance Mentor-www.therealfinancementor.com) where guests regularly deliver insight and inspiration for careers in finance.

I am also a platform speaker, a columnist, a frequent guest on CNBC Arabia and an angel investor.

I am an endurance athlete, specializing in high altitude mountaineering and long-distance/high altitude cycling. He has summitted 12 mountains, including six 5,000 + meter peaks. One of my unique features as a Speaker is my ability to link lessons for career and life to my many adventures. This often has a powerful impact on audiences.

A commerce graduate and a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, passing all exams in first attempts. Cleared all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst ("CFA") program in first attempts. Became a qualified Executive Coach and Mentor after obtaining the Level 7 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring from ILM, the UK body.

Current position (2)

CEO

Elevation FZE

Podcaster

The Real Finance Mentor

Degrees (4)

Bcom

Govt Arts College

1985 to 1988

Audit, income tax, financial accounting, management accounting, corporate law, quants

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

1989 to 1992

Ethics, Investment Tools, Asset valuation, Portfolio Management

CFA Institute

2003 to 2005

ILM Level 7 certificate in Coaching and Mentoring

Institute of Learning and Management

2015 to 2018

Presentations

Presentations (5)

RFM Mumbai

The Real Finance Mentor organized it’s first ever meet-up event at Dextrus Co-Working in Mumbai on January 11, 2020. The meet-up was a one-hour talk followed by a 40 minute Q&A session. This was a very different presentation, the kind I’ve never given before.

Just 4 slides. But deep, brutally honest stuff reflecting the essence of my views on education, qualifications, skills, family, employers, mentors, leadership, career, life etc. Views not copied from some book but crafted over 30 years in the classroom of life. Not just CFA (we spent very little time on this!), but a holistic approach because everything is connected and getting the big picture is essential.

FINANCE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SUMMIT BY MECA CFO ACADEMY

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has conquered the lowlands and the foothills (calculations, games, driving, image recognition, translation etc.) and now threatens the mountains of human competence. But it’s not “game over” for mankind. Because AI is still narrow, specialized, needs lots of data, can’t empathize, or collaborate or trust or lead. Etc. YET.

So, I think the future for the next 5-10 years is AI + Human Intelligence (HI). In finance AI is still COMPLEMENTARY (mobile payments, Robo advice etc.) and not disruptive and this trend will GROW rapidly. Analysts will increasingly use AI e.g. in sentiment analysis.

Everyone will have access to similar tools so the winners will use AI tools to find hidden patterns, uncover lucrative ideas etc. and move faster and such people will be highly prized and well paid.

FINANCIAL TALENT SUMMIT BY CFA INDIA SOCIETY

The hot topic?

The skills gap among finance professionals (what’s missing, why the gap and how to close it). The audience was a 250 + strong crowd of mostly CA and CFA candidates and recent pass-outs. The talk was followed by a Q & A session with the suave and highly experienced Biharilal Deora and some excellent questions from the audience on career, job search, mentoring, self development etc.

The event was well structured and comprehensive - the previous speakers talked on how to differentiate yourself and the target sectors for CFA candidates in India (and how to get in). Participants walked away with quite a few valuable life and career skills.

A big thumbs up to those who attended; shows the huge interest in how to develop yourself and stand out! Also, a shout out to CFA India Society, who is doing stellar work organizing the FTS.

LEADERSHIP STYLE: COMPULSION OR INFLUENCE BY INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA

My keynote speech (on Leadership; drive by compulsion or lead by influence) to an audience of CEOs, CFOs and senior Government officers at the Hilton Jumeirah.

Compulsion is all about the pacesetting and commanding styles which are demoralizing and confusing, to be used in rare situations (the toxic Travis Kalanick and Al Dunlap are some examples).

Leading by INFLUENCE, in sharp contrast, is about 5 things: Trust (give before its earned), Competence (be good at what you do), Enrol (collaborate), Culture (beats strategy any day!) and Ego. Ego is KEY; many “leaders” I’ve worked with were so DELUDED and lacked self awareness they actually thought they were Gods gift to management thanks to ass kissers and lack of HONEST feedback.

So, how do you change? If you want to be a Leader (and not just a manager) surround yourself with honest people. Be SELF AWARE. Listen. Old habits die hard so prepare for a difficult but very REWARDING journey

HIGH EXPOSURE: LESSONS IN RISK MANAGEMENT FROM MOUNTAINEERING BY STORK (AN MNC)

This event focused on Risk Management, a brief talk on the thrills and hazards of living at high altitude, drawing on my intimate (and torrid!) experience of climbing a dozen odd big mountains.

Included a flashback to those three weeks in July 2014 in Kyrgyzstan, when hope, risk, fear, pain and tragedy came together in an unforgettable fashion.

The lesson? Be aware of the risks, prepare for them, never fight with nature (you will lose), never be blinded by ego or over confidence, know yourself (the toughest!), listen to the experts and know your risk threshold.

So take calculated risks. Because there is no adventure without danger and because you live only once.

Past talks (6)

The Guide to CFA Success

CA Club India

Dubai

June 19, 2020

Closing the gap for CA students

SICASA

Dubai

June 15, 2020

Career options in Finance

Amity University