Focus on the Future: Interview with Chris Skinner, CEO of Finanser Ltd

I recently went one on one with Chris Skinner, CEO of Finanser Ltd and author of the new book Digital for Good.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you.  How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Chris: Like everyone, I’ve had issues in life and the major one was being made redundant. That happened to me twice.  Bills to pay, responsibilities and the hopes and dreams are blown away when you lose your job. But, looking back, being made redundant was the best thing that could have happened to me. It made me rethink and innovate. In fact, I would say that when you have failure, setbacks, and challenges, that’s the best time to reimagine and do things different.

Adam: What do you hope readers take away from your new book?

Chris: The key theme of the new book is how can we use technology and finance to make the world a better place. It’s focused upon everything from the climate emergency to financial inclusion to how to create purpose in business. The big takeaway is that if finance and technology are used together to solve issues, we can create a bright future.

Adam: What do you believe is the future of finance and the future of financial technology?

Chris: Are they different? Not really these days, as finance and technology are integrated. The biggest challenge, in that case, is that technology does not recognize governments or borders. This is why it’s incredibly exciting to watch the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. Bitcoin started it, but there are now over 18,000 cryptocurrencies out there. One of them will become a global digital currency, governed by the crowd on the network. In other words, we are moving from national currencies run by our central banks to a global currency run by the network. That’s the most exciting thing to be involved in right now.

Adam: What are the most important trends in technology that leaders should be aware of and understand? What should they understand about them?

Chris: There are a range of technologies that created digital transformation, mainly cloud computing and the smartphone. That means that businesses run on apps, APIs and analytics today, with terms like platform and ecosystem being critical cores to a digital business. Tomorrow, we are talking about distributed ledger technologies using lbockchains, quantum computing, robotics and super artificially intelligent systems. Every business leader needs to get up to speed with these concepts or their business will be left in the pits.

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?

Chris: Vision, passion and communication. I meet too many leaders who are diligent and detailed, but they have no fire. A leader needs to be on fire.

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Chris: The key is passion. If you are running a company, a project, a team, or any area of business, you cannot do it well if you don’t believe in it in your DNA. Leaders have their task written in their blood. If you lack that passion and belief, then how can you convince others to have that passion and belief? You must have your vision and direction written in your DNA and living in your blood.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders?

Chris: The first would be the points I made in the last question. Second, choose your team well and never become fat or oversized. Stick to a diet that is lean and mean. Third, make sure your back is covered, both diplomatically and financially. Never mess up, and focus on the fact that there will be setbacks and can you cover them.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Chris: Be the best you can be and never stop being curious and learning.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Chris: When I was starting out in business, I gave a presentation to a prestigious audience and got the feedback forms. One said tell me something I don’t know. The only thing we don’t know is the future. That’s what made me focus on the future, and the future is the only we don’t know but we can change. Focus there, as everything else doesn’t matter.


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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