Vision Without Execution is Just Delusion
Vision Without Execution is Just Delusion There is a quiet epidemic spreading through executive boardrooms, and CFOs are not immune. It is called Strategic Posturing. It looks impressive from the outside, sounds inspiring in meetings, and feels productive when documented in a glossy strategic plan. But underneath the surface, most of it is just hot […]
The CFO’s Secret Superpower: National Development
The CFO’s Secret Superpower: National Development Let’s cut to the chase. South Africa doesn’t need more economic theorists or padded panels of advisors. It needs CFOs who are willing to get their hands dirty and take charge. That’s right, you, the Chief Financial Officer, are the one person in the room who can actually help […]
Member Profile: Nafisa Kistan
In this edition of our CFO Spotlight series, we feature Nafisa Kistan, a finance executive whose career spans over two decades in the automotive, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. Currently serving as Chief Financial Officer at Kia South Africa, Nafisa has led finance transformation efforts across strategic planning, compliance, and operational control. H
Boardroom Vision Meets Backroom Precision
Boardroom Vision Meets Backroom Precision There’s a reason people look at you when things go wrong, and a different reason they look at you when things go right. Welcome to life as a CFO. You are steering strategic direction in the boardroom while also making sure the day-to-day numbers add up. This is not just […]
The Unseen Hand That Shapes a CFO’s Career
The Unseen Hand That Shapes a CFO’s Career You’re in a packed boardroom. Voices are raised. A deal is on the line. Someone looks to you for a decision, and somehow, you know exactly what to do. Not because of a course. Not because of a checklist. But because of a conversation you once overheard, […]
The CFO Needs a Map, a Voice, and a Spine!
The CFO Needs a Map, a Voice, and a Spine! The numbers said hold back. The gut said, “lean in”. The boardroom held its breath. The CFO closed the spreadsheet and spoke with quiet confidence. We are not here to preserve the past. We are here to invest in the future. And with that, the […]
Stakeholder Alignment Without Compromise
Stakeholder Alignment Without Compromise The CFO walks a tightrope. On one side, the board demands stronger financial returns. On the other, employees want better benefits. Regulators insist on compliance, while customers expect value and speed. Investors want growth, but operational teams need breathing room. This is the CFO reality: a role no longer defined
Plant to Boardroom: Why Operational Finance Experience is a Strategic Advantage
Plant to Boardroom: Why Operational Finance Experience is a Strategic Advantage In the race to become CFO, many finance professionals focus on roles that offer visibility. These often include corporate reporting, investor relations, or strategic finance. These positions bring exposure to the executive team and are closely aligned with the top end of the busin
Don’t Wait for the Storm: How Volvo’s CFO Navigates Crisis Communication with Courage and Clarity”
Don’t Wait for the Storm: How Volvo’s CFO Navigates Crisis Communication with Courage and Clarity” In business as in life, storms are inevitable. But the companies that weather them best are those that prepare long before the clouds gather. Marishka Govender, Chief Financial Officer of Volvo Cars South Africa, offered a powerful reminder of this [&hel
From Gut Feel to Real-Time, Why CFOs Must Build Finance Teams that Think in Dashboards
From Gut Feel to Real-Time, Why CFOs Must Build Finance Teams that Think in Dashboards There was a time when the finance function was purely backward-looking. Month-end meant printing reports, stacking spreadsheets, and explaining the past. But that era is gone, and frankly, good riddance. Modern CFOs are expected to know what’s happening in the […