For the past decade, companies have had to contend with a series of large-scale macroeconomic disruptions, along with pressures on costs and earnings. Now, as the global economy recovers from the recession and cost and short-term earnings are not the sole focus, companies can turn their attention to the top line again.
Companies have already taken advantage of the more obvious cost reductions, and there is little left to cut. Many continue to have strong balance sheets and growing cash reserves, so they are starting to increasingly focus on growth to deliver shareholder value.
Whether growing through M&A, emerging markets, digital or innovation, the ‘evolved’ CFO can play a unique and critical role—providing insight, managing risk, and ensuring that companies fully realize the potential value of a given strategy.