BROADCASTS.com

Looking back at the early years of his finance career, David Bedell recalls being frustrated when a business unit leader remained leery about the merits of a potential deal.

\u201cI had done all of the analysis and was convinced that it would make a lot of money for the company, but I just couldn\u2019t figure out how to convince him,\u201d explains Bedell, who spent the balance of his early career years at software developer Intuit, where he advanced from running the gauntlet of FP&A projects to serving in multiple CFO business unit roles.

\u201cFinally, I bet my entire bonus for the year on it\u2014I told the leader that if the deal failed, he could keep it, but if it was a win, I would appreciate my bonus being doubled,\u201d explains Bedell, who notes that his confidence in his own analysis of the deal compelled him to break what he refers to as the \u201cglass wall.\u201d

Says Bedell: \u201cIf we in finance limit ourselves to only making recommendations and choose to keep that wall between us, it\u2019s just not personal enough.\u201d

For Bedell, his hefty investment in 13 Intuit career years appears to have been well spent, as the company achieved a number of strategic milestones, including the acquisition of Mint.com and the sale of Quicken.

\u201cI was just there at the right time with my hand raised, always being eager\u2014and for people early in their career, it\u2019s about being there at the right time,\u201d comments Bedell. \xa0\xa0

As for the business leader whom Bedell once risked his bonus to win over, the end appears to have justified the means.

\u201cHe just laughed at me and said, \u2019If you\u2019re\xa0that\xa0confident, we\u2019re going to do it,\u2019\u201d remarks Bedell, who adds that while his bonus bet may have been a bit \u201cchildish,\u201d it got the job done.

\u201cSometimes it\u2019s not personal enough for finance,\u201d he observes. \u201cYou have to push that emotion or excitement forward to the point where you\u2019re part of the business and your soul is on the line\u2014that\u2019s what makes a great finance person.\u201d\xa0\u2013Jack Sweeney\xa0