Taking Action in Uncertain TimesC-suite perspectives |
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You’ve probably spent a lot of time in your career thinking about what your organization would look like in an ideal world, if not for all the twists and turns, political battles and outside forces that have left their marks. As strange as it may seem, this may be your best opportunity to reshape things as they should be.
Many of the actions you had to take through the downturn were out of your control. Ruthless cost cutting, a single-minded focus on liquidity — you spent your time there because you really didn’t have a choice. Success depended less on the decisions you made, and more on how you executed them.
Now it’s your turn. The recovery and eventual upturn present a new set of options. But taking advantage of them requires less time reacting to events — and more time shaping them. Explore some of the fundamental ways executives are evolving.
- Chief Executive Officer: Take the foot off the brakes and set the right pace for a smooth recovery period.
- Chief Financial Officer: Time to transition from boring voice of reason to catalyst for smart growth.
- Chief Human Resources Officer: Say goodbye to the workforce workhorse; step up to reshape the organization to meet new strategic challenges.
- Chief Information Officer: Look beyond keeping the lights on; it’s time to shift back into innovation and growth mode.
- Chief Operating Officer: Move past tactical head count and expense adjustments to focus on structural changes that support profitable growth.
After the craziness of this most recent economic cycle, it’s easy to see how some companies are at risk of losing their way through the upturn. Not only have some of the fundamental underpinnings of their businesses changed, but many face a new business reality as well. Learn more in “Here Today. Where Tomorrow?”
Every organization must choose its own path, striking a powerful balance between investing in growth, driving efficiency, managing risk and meeting compliance obligations. It’s no longer about the downturn or the upturn. It’s about your turn.
