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The article looks at the role of the chief financial officer (CFO) in business enterprises as of 2014. It reports on a trend of CFOs taking on an expanded role in the overall strategic planning of the firm, as opposed to merely overseeing the finance function, and offers recommendations for enhancing and performing effectively in that expanded role. Topics include budget cycles and communication with other executives and with customers. INSET: A CFO's Cheklist for 2014.

The article discusses the financial organizational strategy implemented in 2009 at the electric and gas utility Exelon Corporation. The finance executive team identified several objectives and principles for their reorganization, such as sustainability of change, focusing on the needs of the client, and proactively managing risks. The various strategic initiatives to accomplish these goals were successful because of strong communication among stakeholders, employee engagement, and leadership.

The article focuses on what a board of directors should know about the organization's risk management process and on 10 questions that directors should ask. The topics outlined in the questions include how risk information is communicated to the board, how management identifies the emergence of external risks, and how risk management is integrated into strategic planning.

The article provides information on certain factors which can improve business logistics such as transportation, warehousing, and inventory costs. The article addresses performance metrics, best practices, outsourcing logistics management, and effective communication of company performance by financial executives. The author emphasizes organizational communication across functions and effective methods of measuring performance.

The article focuses on Unilever Home and Personal Care-North America Inc. (HPC-NA) and the balanced scorecard (BSC) performance measurement tool. BSC aligns operational strategy and organizational goals. Natalie Danysh, HPC-NA vice president of strategic planning, designed a communications plan--based on the company's "Adventures in Growth" theme--that included print, verbal, and electronic media and linked BSC to bonus payments. A strategy map was developed to meet the challenges encountered such as how much information should be shared with employees and how to increase use of the BSC website. The book "The Strategy-Focused Organization," by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, is mentioned.

The article focuses on activity management programs (AMP), including activity-based costing (ABC), activity-based budgeting (ABB), and activity-based management (ABM). Success factors for implementing AMP include identifying projects and communicating the purpose of AMP to the entire organization. Examples are Coca-Cola Co., BellSouth, and the USAA Federal Savings Bank.

The article mentions methods for getting employee feedback that can be used for improving morale and productivity in organizations. Management tools include index cards, the open door, management by walking around, skip-level interviews, employee-coach technique, split-screen feedback, what's good/what's bad, and formal employee opinion surveys. INSET: Where to Learn More about Employee Feedback Tools.

The article discusses communication plans about employee stock options. The author argues that an effective communication program will articulate goals and mechanics and develop an awareness of basic financial planning concepts. The author presents a plan for developing a communication plan that includes the program goals (retention, motivations, etc.), fundamentals of exercising options and buying stock, basic financial planning, and frequent communication. The author emphasizes the importance of managing employee expectations in both good and bad markets.

The article presents information on the application of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) in business enterprises in the United States. The author presents a description of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). Reasons for the use XBRL and the demand of XBRL from the investor community are analyzed. Implications for chief financial officers and controllers are mentioned. INSET: XBRL Steering Committee Members.

The article looks at the return on investment of U.S. businesses following the implementation of client server systems in the personnel management function. The author discusses the replacement of legacy systems with relational database technology and graphical user interface. The use of web-based recruitment systems is also looked at. The author examines intercommunication between personnel departments and financial departments.

The article looks at management and employee supervision in the workplace, focusing on the best ways to retain and maximize the contributions of talented employees. The author describes leadership qualities he says managers should foster in those working for them, including initiative and broad perspective. Topics include the impact of a manager's expectations on employee performance and supervisor-supervisee communication.

The article discusses traits that characterize members of each of four generations active in the U.S. work force, and presents generation-specific advice on communicating in the workplace. Persons born between 1922 and 1945, it is said, respect authority and prefer to work individually rather than as part of a team. Also discussed are the Baby Boom, Generation X, and Millennial generations.

The article focuses on the need for accountants to develop communication skills. Topics covered include the advantage of being able to communicate critical information in a timely and accurate manner, the job of an accountant to communicate effectively with decision makers in a company, and information on educational courses offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to help accountants be the best communicators.

The author discusses the requirements of leading with consistency and vision as a financial executive. Topics include her creation of a personal leadership vision statement to hold herself accountable as a leader, the importance of transparency, communication, and accountability in business environments, and the use of employee feedback and constructive criticism to improve leadership skills and adjust leadership styles.

The author offers opinions on leadership. He cites his own failure to motivate his infant son to crawl as an example of how listening and observation are vital elements of leadership when managing teams in the workplace. Listening and observation are said to be essential for communication with employees.

The article examines business communication in international business enterprises with operations in the U.S. and Asia. The need for telephone calls or online conferences to supplement e-mail messages is noted. Suggestions are presented for coping with the difficulties for direct interpersonal communication posed by the large difference in time zones between the two locations including business etiquette issues, planning of communications and the advisability of using telephone landlines.

The article presents multiple product evaluations of business communication tools including the Wireless Ovation U727 USB-drive and wireless adapter by Novatel, Wacom's computer pen tablet, and the CompleteTax software package by Cosmi.

The article reports on common business conditions within the United States as of 2008 regarding budget formation and accounting. The rise in budget analysis for strategic planning and as a performance indicator is contrasted with the universal challenges of inter-company communication with middle managers and the complexities of spreadsheet technology.

The article presents an exploration into industrial management challenges in communication facilitation. The example of a common business organizational structure is analyzed which hinders horizontal communication in favor of producing hierarchy and procedure. The importance of balancing interdepartmental communication without eliminating the management structure is discussed.

In this article the authors offer their opinion that candor and frank speaking is the most important part of business decision making. They credit candor with inspiring a number of qualities including commitment, enthusiasm and confidence. The article examines the use of candor in business communication and in the behavior of organizations.

The article focuses on successful leadership and the characteristics of leaders. Major qualities include willpower, self-awareness, and the enthusiasm that comes from living for a higher purpose, which transforms their personalities and draws followers. Examples of executives' motivations are given which show how leaders guide others toward accomplishment.

The article presents information on communicating effectively with employees. Weekly staff meetings are an effective way to promote open communication with employees. They also recommend communicating performance standards consistently. Expectations should be clear and predictable. Nonverbal cues also play a significant role in the messages one sends to his/her team.

The article offers advice to prevent burnout in employees, especially top performers who might be at risk due to workplace stress or challenging workloads. Proactive strategies for preventing burnout include: staying in contact with staff through activity reports; recognizing who is not able to complete routine assignments; being supportive with team members; delegating authority selectively; encouraging employees to take breaks; building rapport and a sense of trust through humor and open communication; and observing changes in workplace patterns that could be a sign of stress.

The article gives examples of emotion and incivility in the workplace, which make employees feel uncomfortable or morally invisible, and offers advice for managing the boss. Problem behavior is magnified by positional power or emotionally charged memories and the result is bullying. Subordinates need to keep calm and maintain mental tranquility when a superior is "losing it." The book "There's a Nightmare in My Closet," by Mercer Mayer, is recommended. "Equus," by Peter Shaffer is mentioned.

The article comments on skillful management and leadership that delegates authority, assigns accountability, and accepts responsibility. Leaders who believe that they have learned from their experiences and communicate confidence in their subordinates' ability to perform given tasks are acting on faith or "going on gut instinct" in making decisions. This confidence gives managers the ability to inspire others when they delegate authority or assign responsibility.

The article focuses on managing project teams. Coaching collaborative work or leading a project team starts with an action plan that defines the group's objective and skills needed to achieve it, as well as how the team will work together. Select team members for their interpersonal, communication, and professional skills. Team leaders should encourage feedback, provide motivation and direction, and use each meeting to summarize accomplishments and address problems.

The article details a strategy for addressing employee performance issues. A collaborative strategy that motivates underperforming employees begins with an objective assessment of the problem and a private meeting with the employee where an improvement plan can be developed. Mentoring and positive feedback are effective in supporting employees and resolving issues.

This article presents guidelines for leading business organizations through periods of transition. The author discusses the importance of planning, communicating and following-up on initiatives. He notes that managers should accentuate the positive outcomes of transitions and also stresses the importance of relaxation time in the company.

The article describes strategies for managing accountants to maintain and facilitate communication with business colleagues during official travels. The author presents methods of preparation for unexpected communication barriers and examines the importance of empowering employees to manage their own business communications.