The recent pandemic prompted business leaders across industries to seek guidance on achieving consistent and stable profits amid economic fluctuations and market uncertainties. Ashish Gupta, the CFO/Finance Director for Reckitt’s North America Hygiene business, offers 25 years of experience, crafting game-changing strategies that drive business success through predictable earnings models. 

With an impressive track record spanning continents, from Asia to Africa to Europe to North America, as well as a solid education background including Chartered Accountancy from India and ACCA from UK, Gupta’s visionary approach is a guiding light for businesses aiming to thrive in the face of unprecedented challenges.

The Focus on Driving Sustainable Earnings

The CFO/Finance Director strictly implements effective methods to achieve sustainable earnings. He explains that unlike short-term gains driven by one-time events, sustainable earnings are achieved through sound business practices, efficient operations, and strategic planning. In the middle of financial challenges or underperformance, sustainable earnings can implement measures to improve profitability and operational efficiency, such as cost-cutting initiatives, optimizing resource allocation, or restructuring business units to align with core competencies. 

Giving a strategic focus on sustainable earnings can be instrumental in turning around struggling businesses. Gupta shares, “For businesses, sustainable earnings are crucial for long-term success and growth, as they provide a solid foundation for financial stability and investor confidence. By prioritizing sustainable earnings, businesses can regain investor trust and attract potential investors or partners.”

He also emphasizes how sustainable earnings contribute to better predictability and forecasting models. As a company achieves consistent earnings, financial analysts and stakeholders can more accurately project future performance. This predictability allows businesses to plan for future investments, manage cash flow, and make informed strategic decisions. “Robust forecasting models built on sustainable earnings data help companies navigate market fluctuations, anticipate risks, and adjust their strategies to maintain steady growth,” he adds. 

Effective Strategies for a Game-Changing Business Growth and Profitability

Instead of chasing fleeting gains, Gupta concentrates on cultivating a stable and resilient financial structure under a sustainable earnings model. This model prioritizes long-term value creation over short-term gains, establishing investor trust and confidence. As such, it also provides businesses with a solid foundation, enabling them to weather economic storms and maintain steady growth over time.

To achieve this, the business finance expert understands that success is a team effort. He ensures that every team member is on the same page when driving business transformation by collaborating with group leadership. This alignment paves the way for streamlined processes, efficient operations, and collective efforts to scale up productivity and growth. Gupta’s inclusive approach empowers teams to work together cohesively, unlocking the organization’s full potential for sustainable earnings. 

His leadership of the entire Profit and Loss (P&L) process gained him a comprehensive understanding of the business’s financial landscape. Such a deep insight equips him to identify areas for improvement, make data-driven decisions, and implement transformational changes that yield positive results. In other words, the bigger financial picture shows that every decision must align with the company’s long-term vision. 

Having held crucial roles in seven different international locations, Gupta brings a diverse perspective to the table. His global experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of various markets, cultural nuances, and business practices. With years of experience under his belt, he navigates challenges and capitalizes on opportunities with agility and adaptability.

In a recent interview, Gupta highlights how a robust earning model withstands market fluctuations and ensures a stable portfolio. He stated, “My strategic vision and focus on sustainable earnings have been instrumental in turning around businesses, creating better predictability and forecasting models, and investing in brand equity for a stronger and more stable portfolio.”

Strategies that Achieve Remarkable Results

In his two decades as a financial expert spanning diverse regions and holding esteemed memberships in organizations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of UK (ACCA), Gupta has earned credibility in implementing large-scale cost restructuring programs and saving struggling businesses.

As Reckitt’s Group Transformation Finance Director between 2021 and 2022, Gupta masterminded a transformative agenda that pioneered an approach leading to a comprehensive revamp of the finance function, accompanied by a series of groundbreaking productivity initiatives. 

Meanwhile, being Reckitt’s Global Supply Finance Director from 2015 to 2018, he implemented his innovative End-to-End Gross Margin Development program. This ambitious project, incorporating over 50 levers, boosted the company’s long-term brand margins by 300 to 500 basis points. This showcased his adeptness at leading large-scale cost-restructuring programs, particularly during his transformative role in developing markets. His notable achievements included deploying enterprise-wide systems like SAP and shared services in significant markets globally.

Notably, in various other leadership roles, the Finance Director’s financial acumen steered businesses’ growth at double the industry standard. His implementation of strategies led to remarkable improvements in operating margins by 500 to 700 basis points over three to four years.

Gupta’s Expertise at the Forefront

All these game-changing strategies and track records of successful business transformations have unquestionably played a pivotal role in driving multiple companies toward high-profit growth and facilitating wide-ranging transformational programs within organizations. With that, Gupta has no plans of stopping, saying, “We are still navigating the post-pandemic effects in the financial sector. A lot of things were implemented but there’s more to do, and I look forward to spearheading these transformations in the future.” 

As the world continues to witness economic fluctuations and disruptive forces, he offers a guiding contribution for businesses seeking long-term stability and growth. Gupta’s visionary outlook, strategic acumen, and ability to navigate complex challenges have solidified his position as a trailblazer in finance, leaving a lasting mark on some of the most esteemed brands globally

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga’s opinions and has not been edited for content. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. Benzinga does not make any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company.