N2Growth Blog

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

Maybe your CFO is a family friend. Leadership involves uncertainty. Their organizational culture happens by default. Leaders know that building a culture by design is critical to business success. You’re avoiding some tough calls. Here’s an example. You have tremendous loyalty to your friend. Making the turn means letting go.

Delegation 221

Delegation Maturity CEO Execution 221

Harvard Business Review

AUGUST 29, 2011

In a volatile world, anxiety and uncertainty make people a little testy. The former CFO did not go quietly. Meanwhile, the CEO and new CFO had to raise capital and revenues to make up for the shortfall, which the disgruntled former CFO blamed on everyone else.

CFO 15

CFO Chief Financial Officer Cooper Learning-by-Doing 15

Harvard Business Review

MAY 4, 2012

Although the empirical evidence is mixed, this argument has intuitive logic: Because investors abhor uncertainty, knowing management's expectations is a valuable data point that can strengthen their confidence in the investment. After weighing the pros and cons, I come down on the side of not providing guidance.

CFO 11

CFO Metrics Price Depreciation 11

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 22, 2012

The upheaval, the uncertainty: yes, we’ve heard it all before. The Imprecise World of Accounting (CFO). The greatest leadership challenge, they say, has been dealing with the rise in external crises — the collapse of Lehman Brothers, earthquakes, floods. It isn't easy. BONUS BITS: Big Changes.

CFO 13

CFO McKinsey Uncertainty Globalization 13

Harvard Business Review

JULY 10, 2013

It''s about whether you''re willing to experience the discomfort, risk, and uncertainty of saying or doing it. And remaining steadfast, grounded, and measured in the face of uncertainty. What makes leadership hard isn''t the theoretical, it''s the practical. It''s not about knowing what to say or do. Will someone step up?

Leadership 10

Leadership Committee CFO Uncertainty 10

Harvard Business Review

APRIL 16, 2012

Often citing the maxim that "cash is king", CFOs know that strategic cash can enhance shareholder value in various ways. As long as the CFO can stipulate that the company does not intend to repatriate the cash, it avoids the incremental tax that will be levied due to the territorial system of U.S. It can: Save Taxes.

Company 13

Company Cost of Capital Finance Long-term 13

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 18, 2014

If you want to move away from this practice there are a few, clearly defined steps the CEO or CFO can take (importantly, the message should come from one or the other of those executives to highlight the company’s conviction in this decision): Clarify that stopping guidance is not a sign of increased uncertainty or economic conditions, rather an effort (..)

Short-term 8

Short-term Long-term How To CFO 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 25, 2015

You’re comfortable with uncertainty. How are your experiments helping your team to learn, reduce uncertainty and risk, and move forward? You do not work for the CEO, or alongside the CTO, CIO, and CFO. You’ve built a $1 billion+ business from nothing. You don’t fear failure.

Entrepreneur 8

Entrepreneur CTO Business Model CEO 8

Miles Anthony Smith

MAY 2, 2018

Graham Keen "Inspirational CEO/CFO turned positive-psychologist resiliently transforming businesses & financial performance." Be Confident and Real People don't want to follow leaders who show uncertainty and anxiety. ​ ​1.

Brand 68

Brand Examples Career Godin 68

Harvard Business Review

JANUARY 12, 2015

One CEO told me she was considering firing her CFO because he consistently ran his monthly financial report by the Operations VP before showing it to her and, as she realized, was letting the Operations VP unduly influence when revenues and expenses were recognized. Insiders tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty.

How To 8

How To CEO P&L Uncertainty 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 5, 2018

That’s because when a new leader takes hold, changes aren’t just about efficiency or revenue; they are also about people’s feelings of vulnerability and uncertainty about what the changes will mean for them.

Supply Chain 11

Supply Chain CEO Kahneman Self-aware 11

Harvard Business Review

DECEMBER 26, 2014

In the second scenario, a planned CEO departure occurs during a time of uncertainty. When considering the promotion of a relatively junior executive to the position of CEO, boards can have the candidate tested and prepared by ensuring an appointment as president, CFO, or COO.

CEO 12

CEO Contingency Plans Telecommunications Planning 12

Harvard Business Review

AUGUST 31, 2015

A seasoned CFO with a sharp mind and an abrasive style, Arthur had lost his job over a disagreement with his company’s new CEO. This loosening of long-term bonds has brought more uncertainty to all workers, and more freedom to a fortunate few. When I met him, long ago, he was picking himself up after a tough year.

Long-term 8

Long-term Loyalty Uncertainty Banking 8

Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 11, 2013

Densmor, Terranola’s CFO, saw those words on Twitter about one minute after Hughes had uttered them. As CFO, A.J. Even more important from a strategic perspective, creditors would balk at further loans until the uncertainty was resolved, making it harder for the company to raise money. I know the investors will come around.”

Case Study 8

Case Study CFO Hedge PR 8

Harvard Business Review

JULY 2, 2018

She started to turn around its performance in year one, but her reporting structure was altered mid-stream, and she found herself accountable to the CFO. In time, this uncertainty, combined with job stress, can lead to burnout. The new situation left her feeling “micromanaged,” and she moved on two years later.

Henderson 12

Henderson Career CEO Execution 12

Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 7, 2015

Understanding these approaches will help curb the uncertainty that executives face when an activist investor approaches. At the very least, the team should include the CEO, CFO, IRO, Board Members and General Counsel. The Investor Focused on Optimizing Yield.

How To 8

How To Due Diligence Strategy Proposal 8

Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Uncertainty Is on the Rise (CFO). Uncertainty about the economy is on the rise among private companies, a new PricewaterhouseCoopers survey says. Nearly 40% of CEOs expressed uncertainty in Q2, compared with 32% in the first quarter. IT'S EUROPE'S FAULT. NO, NOT THOSE RULES. The Rules for Leading Creatives (Mercer).

CFO 8

CFO Uncertainty Leadership Styles Creativity 8