CEO Briefing 2014 - The Global Agenda: Competing in a Digital World
Strategy & Leadership
CEO Briefing 2014 - The Global Agenda: Competing in a Digital World
Brian Gardner
Senior Editor
Brian is Geneva-based having come to Europe from the EIU's Thought Leadership team in New York. His research has covered a range of business strategy issues dealing with industries ranging from energy and information technology to manufacturing and financial services. Prior work has included consulting and research work concerning energy systems and regulatory frameworks. He holds a master’s degree from Columbia University in New York City and a bachelor’s degree from American University in Washington, DC.
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All functions are working to meet these challenges and, as a finance head, we have to have visibility across all functions, how they are progressing [towards meeting goals] and ensuring that their direction is in line with overall strategic goals - Lalit Malik, CFO of Dabur, an Indian consumer goods manufacturer.
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Second, through performance management, the finance function is the gatekeeper for critical data that illustrate how well—or otherwise—the company is rising to the challenge of change. That includes data relating to sales, supply chain and delivery, which need to be reported back to the business in ways that help drive improved decisionmaking. Our survey reveals that companies in which finance executives feel empowered to drive strategic decisions across business functions are more likely to report a higher financial performance in fiscal year 2016/17 and 2017/18 and anticipate higher growth rates for 2019/20.
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