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Hire by Auditions, Not Resumes

Harvard Business Review

We pay a standard rate of $25 per hour, regardless of whether you’re applying to be an engineer or the chief financial officer. This post is adapted from a talk by the author at the December 2013 Lean Startup Conference. . During the trials, we give the applicants actual work. Talent and the New World of Hiring.

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The Rise of the General Counsel

Harvard Business Review

Because "business in society" issues pose so much risk (and in some cases opportunity), the general counsel is viewed in many companies having the same stature as the Chief Financial Officer. Having experienced, expert inside lawyers inside is the best way of controlling outside legal costs.

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A Simple Way to Map Out Your Career Ambitions

Harvard Business Review

If you want to be a chief financial officer (CFO), identify five CFOs who you admire or who are well regarded in your industry. Find the leaders on the industry “best” lists (best chief marketing officer, chief information officer, etc.), Identify experts inside and outside your company.

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How Share-Price Fixation Killed Enron

Harvard Business Review

Despite its infamous financial chicanery, it still appeared to be a viable, profitable firm. At the annual conference of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners late last month, former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow, who served six years in prison for his part in Enron''s deceptions, offered an explanation.

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Build Your Team Like an Executive

Harvard Business Review

For example, Tim Sheahan, Chief Financial Officer for a large division of a multi-national corporation, aspires to become CFO of a Fortune 100 company in the future. He is active in a number of outside finance groups and similarly devotes time at their conferences to seek out and get to know finance talent outside the company.