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From Guardians of the Balance Sheet to becoming a strategic partner driving innovation and value creation, we live in a New CFO Era. This article explores how CFOs should step out of the back office and into the driver's seat, transforming finance into a catalyst for strategic innovation. #CFO #Leadership #Innovation #StrategicThinking #ValueCreation

The CFO conundrum revolves around the challenge of balancing daily operational demands with the strategic leadership role expected of senior finance executives. Some CFOs find themselves unexpectedly thrust into the top role without adequate preparation, facing urgent requirements such as cash management and scenario planning. Despite these challenges, some CFOs rise to the occasion by improving in six critical dimensions. By becoming more strategic, efficient, and impactful leaders, they establish themselves as trusted advisors to CEOs while effectively managing the finance function. #CFO #IndustryInsights #Leadership

CFOs' role in company leadership is widening as finance operations provide crucial data-driven insights to the business. CFOs are really getting out now into the business and being a business partner with every function at the company to try to help optimize the overall outcomes of the business. #finance #leadership #CFOinsights

The CFO conundrum... How can a CFO 'conjure' up the enormous amount of time required to run a company’s finance function while also being a thoughtful, strategy-first leader. How, in the face of complex pressing and competing demands, can the CFO ensure other senior leaders view them as the de facto “deputy CEO”? If only they had more time, they could be that kind of CFO! In this article by McKinsey & Company, the author's explore how CFO's can raise their game above functional expertise in order to achieve real strategic impact. By improving in six critical areas, they solve the time-crunch challenge to become enterprise-wide leaders, superior decision-makers, and value-creating confidants of CEOs. Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/emEMn9tz #CFO #ImprovementStrategy #ExecutiveSearch #SFExecutive

Here's one for all the CFOs & FDs out there, or any SME looking to take on or adjust a CFO or FD function as they grow & scale... “A great CFO needs to be more than just a numbers person,” says Lawrence Chester, CFO Simplified He goes on to say “The modern CFO is a business leader first and a financial expert second,” This article written by Rich Ord on WebProNews has some great copy and details so much that any FD, CFO and the whole business leadership team can take a lot from... Well worth a 10min read and another 10mins to think how that relates to your business and operational set-up... #business #sme #CFO #growth #leadership

In their article, McKinsey explores how CFOs can better manage their packed schedules to maximise their strategic contributions. The piece outlines six actionable strategies aimed at helping CFOs streamline their responsibilities and focus more on transformative leadership. These include redefining priorities, embracing change, simplifying processes, and cultivating productive habits that lead to sustained growth and effectiveness in their roles. #CFO #Leadership #StrategicLeadership #FinancialLeadership #TimeManagement #BusinessStrategy #CorporateFinance #ExecutiveGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment

It can be hard to both support and challenge your teams, but that is precisely what is being asked of #CFOs. During CONNECT CFO UK, industry leaders discussed what it takes to be that 'critical friend'. 📖 https://lnkd.in/e77hjuCW #CFO #FinancialLeadership #Innovation #RiskManagement #BusinessGrowth #StrategicPlanning #Finance #Leadership #ThoughtLeadership #CFOsAsLeaders

What does it take to succeed in a new role as a chief financial officer (CFO) in today’s world, and what will it take in the future? Heidrick & Struggles' Susie Clements shares insights from our latest report, "First-Time CFO guide," offering a range of diverse perspectives on what success can look like in the CFO position, key challenges faced by current and prospective finance leaders, and more. Read her Board Agenda® article here: https://bit.ly/46mHWoW. #CFOs #financeleaders #leadership #financialofficers

Some interesting suggestions in this article. I particularly like the idea of "noble failures", forcing the first step and taking time for reflection. #cfo #leadership

Delighted to share my Saturday morning read: "Six Ways CFOs Find the Time to Unlock Their Full Potential." This insightful article by Ankur Agrawal, Meagan Hill, Matthew Maloney, and Abhishek Shirali from McKinsey & Company explores the challenges CFOs face in balancing the demanding everyday tasks of finance management with the strategic need to drive significant value within their organizations. As someone who’s embarking on my own entrepreneurial journey, the lessons on leveraging strategic thinking and efficient time management resonate deeply. The authors highlight how critical it is for CFOs to transcend traditional roles and become visionary leaders who influence company-wide success. They provide practical advice on simplifying operations, focusing on impactful decisions, and continually adapting to change—strategies that are vital for any leader aiming to excel in today's dynamic business environment. Embracing change and focusing on what truly matters is a philosophy I hold close, and this article reinforces that with actionable insights. Highly recommended for professionals aiming to elevate their strategic impact. #Leadership #CFO #BusinessStrategy #WeekendReads