The HBR Guides Collection (8 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

Finance Basics: Don’t Be Afraid

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Third, we’re better able to grasp what’s happening in the

outside world—such as an economic slowdown—and re-

late that to the company and even to our own area.”

A big-picture understanding of basic fi nancial mea-

sures has very practical benefi ts, says Thomas Kroeger,

the executive vice president in charge of organization and

people at Offi ce Depot. “The main benefi t is that it helps

us cut through the clutter,” he says, noting that Offi ce De-

pot’s fast growth necessarily created layers and distance

between the CEO and store managers. Kroeger describes

a telling incident that occurred during a meeting of dis-

trict store managers, who had suggested that each store

hire a customer greeter. At the individual store ...