Do you want to keep up to date with the latest developments in finance, but you are short of time? Don’t worry. CFO South Africa weekly collects 10 of the most important articles from international media for your convenience.
1. How CFOs can adapt to disruptive forces
CFOs, like the companies they work for, must adapt quickly to be able to stay ahead of technological changes, ever-growing risks, and increased stakeholder scrutiny and regulation. The role change from scorekeeper to strategist has been ongoing for many years, but the pace of that change has accelerated, according to data from an EY study, The DNA of the CFO. The EY report used the responses of 769 finance leaders around the world to come up with four forces disrupting finance leadership.
2. How to Be a Data-Driven CFO
Today's technolgy, cloud, and IoT-driven world is continually generating a wealth of data, creating both opportunity and challenge for those tasked with deciphering and analyzing it. CFOs in particular are now facing increased pressure to connect the dots between multiple data streams to identify patterns that will optimize a company's growth and align its costs with its strategy.
3. Creating value from M&Aadvantage Asia?
The total value of corporate M&A activity in Asia1 is substantially less than in the United States and until recently also lagged behind Europe. Equating experience with ability, many Asian companies assumed that their meager track record relative to Western companies would lead the capital markets to take a skeptical view of their deals.
4. CFO Lament: So Many Demands, So Little Time
Has the role of CFO expanded so much that it could be viewed as an embodiment of the Peter principle? That is, are the demands of the job so great that even a stalwart financial executive may find success to be elusive? It's a shocking thought. There are, of course, many successful finance chiefs. But we don't hear much about those that aren't.
5. The sales secrets of high-growth companies
The authors of Sales Growth reveal five actions that distinguish sales organizations at fast-growing companies. What distinguishes sales organizations at fast-growing companies from their lagging peers? In a wide-ranging survey of more than 1,000 companies, we unearthed five meaningful differences.
6. 6 Daily Habits That Will Make You Look Smarter and More Powerful
The meek might be on track to inherit the earth but they're a ways off from inheriting a position at the head of the conference room table. Meek is simply not an adjective that is generally thought of when you think of someone commanding leadership, as I discussed in a post on the 9 tactics leaders use to command a room. Power, poise, and purpose, yes. Presence? Yes!
7. Applying technical, business, leadership, and people skills
The business landscape is changing at an increasingly rapid rate, and accounting professionals must be able to keep pace with accompanying changes. The competencies and skills used by finance professionals, particularly those working in business, industry, government, or not-for-profits, must evolve to include areas not traditionally associated with accounting.
8. SpaceX Lands Third Consecutive Rocket
On Friday evening, SpaceX successfully landed another Falcon 9 rocket (or more precisely, its reusable first stage) back on Earth after a mission. These landings are a huge technical achievement, with big implications for spaceflight. They're closer than ever to the big goalreusing rockets.
9. Global 2000: Europe's Largest Companies
Europe isn't exactly firing on all cylinders. Economic growth is creeping along, at 1.7% in the first quarter, and six years after the bailout of Greece the European Central Bank is still keeping a tenuous hold on the Eurozone's financial footing, and questions remain over whether the British will opt for a "Brexit" from the European Union. For the continent's companies, many of which have reach well beyond its borders, conditions remain challenging.
10. 10 Remarkable Habits to Instantly Spark a Relationship with Anyone
Success in business--and in life--is all about building relationships and trust. When you're in business, the more quickly you can build a positive relationship with potential customers, and with the people who work with and for you, the more successful you will be.
