CFO Studio Magazine with Bernd-Peter Bier, CFO, Bayer

6 WWW.CFOSTUDIO.COM 4th QUARTER 2015 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Andrew Zezas Publisher and Host of CFO Studio Andrew Zezas Andrew.Zezas@CFOstudio.com CFO Studio Publisher & Host, CEO Paulo Santos Paulo.Santos@CFOstudio.com Producer & Senior Vice President Lorenz Capalad Lorenz.Capalad@CFOstudio.com 732-868-0000 x118 Media Manager Christopher Borgese Christopher.Borgese@CFOstudio.com 732-868-0000 x120 CFO Communications & Vice President Craig Fallon Craig.Fallon@CFOstudio.com 732-868-0000 x127 Director of Promotional Partnerships Custom publishing services provided by: Rufhaus Designs , www.rufhaus.com 732-842-4140 Creative Director Jennifer Ruf Editors Julie Barker, Alex Palmer, & Martin Daks CFO Studio magazine is published by CFO Studio, www.cfostudio.com CFO Studio magazine is published and funded by CFO Studio and underwritten by great Promotional Partners. 3 Executive Drive, Suite 100 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 732-868-0000 x111 www.CFOstudio.com Per copy price $18.95 Annual subscription (4 quarterly issues) $59.95 This work is designed to provide practical and useful information on the subject matter covered. However, it is sold and/or provided with the understanding that the Publisher, in its capacity related to this work, is not engaged in rendering legal,financial,accounting,or other professional advice to the reader. If any advice is required, the services of competent professionals should be sought. The Publisher specifically and expressly disclaims any liability that may be incurred as a result of the use or application of the information contained in this work, including any liability that may arise from the information written or provided by others that is published in this work. The opinions of those whose information may appear in this work do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Publisher.This magazine will not knowingly accept advertising that is in violation of any law. Contents © 2015 CFO Studio. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced in any form, by any means, without the prior permission of the Publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to CFO Studio, 3 Executive Drive, Suite 100, Somerset, New Jersey 08873. Receive CFO Studio magazine via email Be among the first to read each quarterly issue of CFO Studio magazine. Subscribe to the email version for free! www.cfostudio.com/magazine-subscription As 2015 comes to a close and 2016 begins, we look back at a dynamic year that included many exciting initiatives. CFO Studio hosted events in newmarkets, including Manhattan, Philadelphia, and Chicago (more on the way!), and successfully evolved the Executive Dinner Series to include separate invitation-only dinners for World-Class Companies, Middle Market, Small Market and Emerging Growth, and Tax-Exempt Organizations. In 2015, CFO Studio published its 16th quarterly magazine issue and honored very high-profile CFOs from some impressive companies, including: Berndt Bier of Bayer Corporation (this issue), Craig Steeneck of Pinnacle Foods (Helloooo, Mrs. Butterworth!), and Curt Allen of Subaru of America, not to mention the 38 finalists and 11 recipients of the CFO Innovation Awards, all of whom stood under a beautiful blue sky on the 50-yard line at MetLife Stadium at the CFO Innovation Conference and Awards in May. And, I must say, I had more than a little fun donning black shades and singing onstage at the close of the conference with my musical idols, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes!

 In Q4, CFO Studio’s sister company, Real Estate Strategies Corporation, took a very carefully planned step and transitioned to Jones Lang LaSalle ( JLL), a financial and professional powerhouse that specializes in commercial real estate services and investment management, with over 58,000 employees in offices around the globe. As a CFO Studio promotional partner, JLL makes its services available to CFOs domestically and internationally. We are extremely excited about the possibilities that are expected to flow from this new relationship, for CFO Studio, JLL, and the CFO community. Contact me if you have questions or if JLL may be of service to your organization. The Chinese say, “May you live in interesting times!” It doesn’t get more interesting than watching throngs of voters take seriously Donald Trump — the real-estate developer, casino operator, and TV star — as a Republican presidential candidate! Seriously? The coming year promises to be an equally exciting one for CFO Studio, with many events, expansion into new geographic markets, the Q1 launch of the CFO Breakfast Learning Series, and the 2016 CFO Innovation Conference and Awards, to be held once again at MetLife Stadium, on April 21. The day promises to be even more energizing than 2015’s conference day, with panels and presentations by impressive thought leaders in business, finance, and strategy, among other areas of expertise, and with even more New Jersey– and New York–area CFOs being acknowledged for their accomplishments at the CFO Innovation Awards ceremony. As with all CFO Studio events, CFOs may attend the conference at no cost to themselves or their companies. CFOs wishing to attend or companies seeking to present may learn more at www.CFOstudio.com. As we approach the Christmas and New Year season, we look back in gratitude to those CFOs and promotional partners who have contributed to CFO Studio’s growth. And we eagerly look forward to the coming year and opportunities that await us. Importantly, we offer our warmest and heartfelt wishes that each of you, along with your families and friends, will enjoy warm, safe, peaceful, and love-filled holidays —and a most profitable and prosperous 2016! As we say in Greek, Chronia Pollah! …May you enjoy a long life! Change, Evolution, Growth… and Happy Holidays!