Mark Sanborn

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

In Practice: A CFO might confidently project revenue figures while neglecting market uncertainties and potential disruptions. Groupthink: The Consensus Conundrum The Trap: The desire for group harmony can lead to unchallenged decision-making and potentially flawed outcomes.

Groupthink 56

Groupthink CFO Uncertainty Consensus 56

The Idolbuster

JANUARY 15, 2013

I heard a cautionary tale from “George” the former VP of marketing at a mid-sized biotechnology company about how a bogus forecast helped propagate a disaster. Marketing then back calculated the number of units, service contracts, and consumables that would need to be sold to make the forecast.

Biotechnology 41

Biotechnology Groupthink CFO Stress 41

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

The CEO and CFO were marching through their 112-slide presentation. Recent market updates, a technical deconstruction of various trends, then product frameworks — all in quick succession. We don't get to optimize all products, go after all markets, or add all programs. One board member sighed deeply.

Merton 15

Merton Groupthink CFO Cost 15