Lessons from an Unfinished Merger: What Integration Failures Reveal About Strategy and Leadership
Lessons from an Unfinished Merger: What Integration Failures Reveal About Strategy and Leadership When two companies merge, the strategic rationale often appears convincing. The promise of economies of scale, an expanded market footprint, operational synergies, and a stronger competitive position tends to dominate merger announcements. However, while the deal
Before You Forecast the Future, Figure Out Who You Are!
Before You Forecast the Future, Figure Out Who You Are! The CFO is not just the gatekeeper of financial data. They are the driver of strategy, the guardian of governance, and the voice of reason when the business wants to leap without a plan. In this high-stakes space, your technical expertise will get you a […]
Crisis Called – It Wants a CFO Who Can Actually Pivot
Crisis Called – It Wants a CFO Who Can Actually Pivot If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s this: standing still is not an option. CFOs across South Africa are being called on to do more than manage spreadsheets and sign off on budgets. You’re expected to spot risks before they erupt, […]
Running the Numbers Without Running from the Truth
Running the Numbers Without Running from the Truth No one sees the cracks forming in a business’s foundation quite like the CFO. Before the headlines, before the boardroom fallout, the numbers tell a story – and it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s the truth. A strong ethical foundation is more than good practice; it’s […]
The Bottom Line Needs a Bigger Table
For many CFOs, the word collaboration conjures images of feel-good workshops, team lunches, and buzzwords without balance sheets. But in high-performing finance environments, collaboration isn’t a soft skill, it’s a bottom-line strategy. It shapes forecasting accuracy, sharpens strategic alignment, and allows finance to operate not in isolation, but as the
Stop the Tug of War and Start the Turnaround
Conflict Resolution for CFOs Who Want to Win Without a Fight As a CFO, you’re often the adult in the room. When tension rises—whether over budget allocations, risk appetite, performance metrics, or boardroom politics—all eyes turn to you. Not because you’re the loudest, but because you’re expected to bring clarity, calm, and commercial sense. Conf
The Governance You Sign Off is the Reputation You Keep
The Governance You Sign Off is the Reputation You Keep Forget the window dressing. Corporate governance isn’t a box-ticking exercise, it’s your company’s risk firewall, your stakeholder credibility engine, and your personal liability shield. As a CFO, you’re not just crunching numbers. You sit at the intersection of finance, ethics, regulation, and
Making Sense of Complexity: How CFOs Build Clarity Across the Business
Making Sense of Complexity: How CFOs Build Clarity Across the Business In today’s fast-paced and data-rich environment, the role of the Chief Financial Officer has evolved into something far more dynamic than traditional financial oversight. While accuracy, control, and compliance remain core responsibilities, the modern CFO is also a strategic communicator
Stop Playing Defense – Start Driving the Business Forward
Stop Playing Defense – Start Driving the Business Forward Let’s be honest, being a CFO isn’t what it used to be. You’re no longer just the person who signs off on the numbers or keeps costs in check. Today, CFOs are expected to guide strategy, steer through uncertainty, and ensure that the organisation doesn’t just […]
If You Never Look Back, How Do You Know Where You Messed Up?
If You Never Look Back, How Do You Know Where You Messed Up? Great leaders are not born; they are made through constant learning and reflection. Self-reflection is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use to improve their decision-making, communication, and overall effectiveness. But what does self-reflection actually mean for leaders, and […]