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
You’re Being Watched – and Judged – Every Day
You’re Being Watched – and Judged – Every Day We tend to think of promotions as something you apply for. You submit a CV, attend the interview, and get formally offered the new role. But in the world of finance leadership, many of the most important promotions begin long before you get the title and […]
When You Say Nothing Clearly, You Say Everything Badly!
When You Say Nothing Clearly, You Say Everything Badly! Numbers alone won’t get you buy-in. You can have the cleanest spreadsheet in the world, but if no one understands the story behind it, you’ll spend more time defending your results than using them to move the business forward. Clear financial storytelling isn’t about spinning a […]
Finance Is Bleeding Talent, Because You Forgot to Say ‘Well Done’
Finance Is Bleeding Talent, Because You Forgot to Say ‘Well Done’ Finance is not known for fireworks. It is known for results, deadlines, reconciliations, and that long, uphill push towards year-end. But ask any CFO who has led a turnaround, navigated a crisis, or rebuilt trust after a rough season, and they will tell you […]
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