Reinvention in an Era of Permacrisis
Overview
The 8th edition of the global CFO research, titled "CFO Forward Study: 2024 Edition," explores how CFOs are navigating an era of increasing disruption and volatility to drive reinvention and value creation. The study surveyed over 1,400 CFOs and senior finance leaders from organizations with revenues exceeding $1 billion across 16 industries and 14 countries. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 forward-thinking CFOs.
Key Findings
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Rapid Disruption and Volatility
- The pace of change has increased by 183% over the past four years.
- 86% of CFOs believe that transformation programs need to be completed much faster than before.
- The global CFO turnover rate hit a five-year high of 15.9% in 2023.
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Reinvention as a Strategy
- Over 83% of respondents see reinvention as a key strategy for success.
- 54% of CFOs are currently leading or planning to lead multiple transformation initiatives.
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North Star Strategy for Value Creation
- CFOs are advised to adopt a North Star strategy to guide their value creation efforts.
- They should leverage generative AI, which is seen as a powerful tool for reinvention.
- Technology, data, and people collaboration are critical for accelerating reinvention.
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Technological Disruptions
- Technology advancements are identified as the leading cause of disruption.
- Generative AI is highlighted as a transformative technology with the potential to disrupt every industry.
- Other challenges include ESG performance and geopolitical tensions.
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Collaboration and Leadership
- Collaboration is emphasized as essential for driving reinvention.
- CFOs are encouraged to foster a collaborative environment to maximize the impact of reinvention efforts.
Insights from CFOs
- Peter Oey (CFO, Grab): "We operate in a highly disruptive industry and thrive in this environment. Our main focus is to expand the accessibility of our services and deepen engagement with our ecosystem."
- Michael McMurray (Executive Vice President and CFO, LyondellBasell): "Change has never been this fast; it will never be this slow again."
Actions for CFOs
- North Star Strategy
- Define clear goals and objectives to guide value creation.
- Leverage Generative AI
- Move generative AI from experimentation to the company’s digital core.
- Accelerate with Technology + Data + People
- Use technology, data, and people collaboration to drive reinvention.
- Foster Collaboration
- Promote a collaborative culture to unlock the full potential of reinvention.
Conclusion
CFOs are under immense pressure to navigate a highly disruptive business environment. By adopting a North Star strategy, leveraging generative AI, and fostering collaboration, CFOs can unlock significant business value and future-proof their organizations.
