Forget EBITDA, Your Real KPI Is Whether You Made It to Dinner: The Myth of the “Iron CFO”
Let’s get this out of the way: CFOs are not robots. We like to think we are, crunching numbers at midnight, surviving on coffee strong enough to dissolve a spoon, keeping companies afloat while everyone else dreams about beach holidays. But behind every “iron CFO” lies a very human body and mind, both of which, […]
Turning Management Into True Leadership
Step into any boardroom today and you will notice a common thread: technical brilliance is abundant, but true leadership often feels scarce. Across industries, organisations pour resources into management training, teaching teams how to run processes, optimise performance, and deliver results. Yet, they often neglect the subtler but far more powerful dimension
From 2G to 5G: Bridging South Africa’s Digital Divide
South Africa is a country of contrasts. On the one hand, it boasts one of the highest mobile penetration rates in Africa, with millions of citizens connected daily through their devices. On the other, a significant number of people still rely on 2G phones that limit their access to the digital economy. For finance leaders, […]
Beyond the Balance Sheet : CFOs leading cross-functional transformation projects such as ERP implementations and legal frameworks
A business can invest in the best technology available, employ highly skilled people, and still struggle if its transformation projects are not led with clarity and discipline. Behind every successful shift, whether it is a new enterprise system, a regulatory framework, or a compliance overhaul, there is usually one person ensuring that the pieces fit […
CFOs Who Grew from the Ground Up:
The advantages of internal career progression and deep organisational knowledge In boardrooms across South Africa, many CFOs carry impressive titles and equally impressive qualifications. But ask a few how they arrived at the seat they now occupy, and you will notice two clear paths. Some joined the company already holding the CFO title. Others started [&hell
From Jo’burg to Jakarta: The CFO’s Passport to Global Control
From Jo’burg to Jakarta: The CFO’s Passport to Global Control Your board decides to expand into another country. The CEO announces growth into Africa or Europe. Everyone’s excited. But in the back of your mind, you know the hard work starts now, because you, as CFO, are the one who must bring order to financial […]
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 […]
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
Climbing the Ladder Without Changing Ladders
Climbing the Ladder Without Changing Ladders It is easy to romanticise the modern finance career as a fast-paced journey filled with lateral moves, high-impact projects, and strategic leaps across industries. But behind many successful CFOs lies a very different story. One shaped by consistency, trust, and years of growth within a single organisation. Stayi
If It Doesn’t Earn, It Doesn’t Stay!
If It Doesn’t Earn, It Doesn’t Stay! There is no shortage of new ideas in business. Teams love a pilot, executives love innovation, and everyone loves the promise of “the next big thing.” But when those ideas turn into cost-heavy, low-impact distractions, it becomes the CFO’s job to draw the line. Vanity projects do not […]