Who Is Your BlackLine Champion?

Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.

~ Muhammad Ali

Business performance is driven by your top finance leaders to encompass a smooth, timely, and efficient close in record time. And it takes a champion within your organization to turn these strategic goals into reality with BlackLine.

But identifying that champion can often be a challenge in itself. Here’s how to know what to look for so you can select the perfect BlackLine champion for your team.

Champions come in all shapes and sizes, but the criteria is very clear.

It’s best to look internally for that unique individual who knows the accounting process and is well trained in the BlackLine system—both logistically and operationally. Definitely someone who has been in the shoes of your users: a preparer, approver, or even reviewer.

You want someone who is experienced with your policies, procedures, and Blackline’s in-house customized controls. If they don’t know these areas well, they can’t walk the talk with your team.

Your BlackLine Champion is the power source behind management’s top initiatives and an effective communicator who can work with all levels of management. They are respected across your organization and their ideas and goals are accepted with immense importance.

These individuals are often found out on the floor with a cup of coffee, or much like myself, on a pair of roller blades rolling through the office with the team! A champion is helpful, creative, and keeps the team motivated.

They are also prodigious. Their inspiration and passion promote user development and team engagement while focusing on your vision of success. This unique individual is one who actively coaches through one-on-ones with your users, provides employee engaged, hands-on training, offers positive feedback, and shoots for the “WIN”!

A champion is not just a title—it is an earned position. It takes dedication and years of Blackline training to gain the required knowledge and skills to be ‘The Champion.’

So invest wisely in your champion. The right person will embrace this role while driving your initiatives to reality. And the stronger and more prominent your champion is, the more likely you are to succeed.

Read this white paper for seven powerful ways to evolve your accounting processes and give your teams more time to spend on meaningful work.