The conversation around women in leadership is no longer about whether progress is happening, but about how uneven and fragile that progress remains. According to LinkedIn’s Global Economic Graph, women currently hold 30.6% of leadership roles across 74 countries, a modest number compared to their 43.4% representation in the workforce overall (LinkedIn, 2024). McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024 report highlights a similar pattern: women account for nearly half of entry-level roles but hold just 29% of C-suite positions (McKinsey, 2024). Fortune 500 companies tell an even starker story, with only 10.4% of CEOs being women as of last year (Catalyst, 2024). Globally, women hold just 6% of CEO roles, 8.4% of board chair positions, and 23.3% of board seats, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC, 2023). Even in the S&P 500, where representation has improved over time, women still account for less than 10% of CEOs in 2025 (Women’s Power Gap, 2025).
The role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has transformed significantly. CFOs are no longer limited to traditional financial stewardship; instead, they have become central figures in driving strategic growth and innovation within organizations.
Historically, CFOs were primarily responsible for financial reporting and risk management. Today, they play a critical role in strategic decision-making. According to Gartner, CFOs are increasingly expected to align their organization's cost structure with unique capabilities and to act as executive champions in enterprise-wide data and analytics governance.
This shift is further illustrated by the rising number of CFOs transitioning into CEO roles. A 2023 survey by Heidrick & Struggles revealed that nearly one-third of FTSE 100 CEOs were former CFOs, an increase from 21% in 2019.
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CFO,
Chief financial Officer,
finance,
decision-making,
innovation,
small business,
Technology,
organizations,
corporate,
economic,
financial,
investments
Military leaders engage in rigorous strategic planning before executing any mission. Similarly, business leaders must anticipate market trends, assess risks, and devise long-term strategies to remain competitive. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, 70% of organizations that execute strategic planning report higher revenue growth compared to those that don’t. By adopting military-style scenario planning, businesses can prepare for uncertainties and pivot effectively when challenges arise.
Exiting a business is one of the most significant milestones in an entrepreneur’s journey, yet many owners reach this point unprepared, often paying a steep emotional and financial price. Research from the Exit Planning Institute reveals that 76% of business owners who sell their companies experience profound regret within 12 months of their exit. Even more concerning, between 70 to 80% of businesses listed for sale will never sell, according to Buy Then Build. This underscores the importance of planning not only for the sale itself but also for the legacy, personal identity, and lifestyle changes that follow.
Small businesses serve as the backbone of the economy, employing nearly 61.6 million Americans and driving innovation across various industries, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. However, they often face economic challenges that disproportionately affect them due to their limited resources.
TAGS:
small business,
Inflation,
Business Challenges,
employment,
cash flow,
Capital,
Line of Credit,
supply chain,
salary,
small business owner,
,
finance,
financial
All small business owners need to be aware that there is a new federal law known as the Corporate Transparency Act that requires the filing of a “Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)” form, which must be filed by January 1, 2025.
Beneficial ownership refers to the individuals who ultimately own, control or benefit from a business or legal entity. This can occur either by exercising substantial control or by holding at least a 25% ownership stake according to GreenBurgTraurig. Unlike nominal ownership, which may only be reflected in official documents, beneficial ownership offers transparency regarding who truly benefits from or directs the entity’s activities. This distinction is crucial in preventing the misuse of legal structures for illicit purposes.
TAGS:
Beneficial Ownership,
business,
Small Business,
legal entity,
taxes,
financial,
finance,
nonprofit,
compliance,
money laundering,
Protect,