In a world defined by BANI—Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible—traditional finance playbooks are no longer enough. To thrive, professionals need to rethink how they work, lead, and adapt.
Elmer Sarmiento, Certified Management Accountant (Australia), knows this firsthand. “The most important skills needed to succeed in our industry are resiliency—particularly during uncertain times and in the context of BANI,” Sarmiento told Financial Adviser PH.
That means it’s not just about crunching numbers anymore. To succeed in this new landscape, Sarmiento says finance professionals must be “willing to absorb relevant ideas and transform them into actionable strategies.” Translation? You need to see beyond the spreadsheets—and lead with insight.
But there’s another must-have skill that often gets overlooked: tech fluency. “You have to be a builder, not just a user, of enterprise data,” Sarmiento said. “Embrace technology, because it’s what separates future-ready professionals from those stuck in the past.”
Staying ahead of the curve also means putting learning at the center of your career. For Sarmiento, that includes everything from graduate school to certifications and hands-on projects. “Continuous learning is essential,” he said.
And if you’re playing it safe in your current role? That might be your biggest risk. “Take new challenges. Move into different roles within your company—but keep your core skills intact and integrity unsullied,” Sarmiento said.
In an era where chaos is the new normal, professionals who build resilience, embrace change, and evolve alongside technology aren’t just surviving—they’re leading. “Always be hungry for learning,” Sarmiento added. “Build your network. Raise capable leaders. And don’t let your comfort zone pull you down.”
The bottom line:
In a BANI world, soft skills and tech know-how aren’t just nice to have—they’re your edge.
