Many metres worth of books have been written about the concept of leadership. Nevertheless the concept also remains 'elusive' in many ways. What makes someone a 'leader' and how does this translate into the daily routine of managing a business? A round table discussion with four CEOs about the certainties and dilemmas facing modern leaders. Theme 3: CFO’s for president?
Around the table we have Goof Hamers from Vanderlande Industries, Eddie Perdok from Kramp, Timo Hoogeboom from HAK and Bart Bakker from Royaan (see also the text boxes). Led by former NRC journalist Max Christern they discuss what leadership means to them and how they approach it in practice.
There is undoubtedly a link with the financial crisis, but the fact is that recently there have never been as many financial people in the top jobs. That gives outsiders a momentary feeling of security - the books are under control! - but ultimately it is not good for a business. There is too much focus solely on the results and too few fresh ideas and talents necessary to prepare a company for a new future.
If there is something we need to help companies emerge from the crisis and prepare them for a new era, then it's creativity and innovation. The modern leader is an empathetic and serving generalist and not a (financial) specialist.
Bakker says that he has certainly noticed that the financial discipline has become increasingly important. This partly determined the choice of the company's current CFO - Marcel de Backer. "We wanted an experienced force with private equity experience. Someone to help us build from the perspective of his own field. It is necessary because the business is under considerable pressure. We manage more on cash than on reported profit and we just look towards the bank - that's what it ultimately involves."
But nonetheless, Bakker sees his CFO as complementary - the leader versus the financial manager. "We have our fair amount of discussions on the subject", Bakker tells us. "Then I say: "This industry has to rediscover the pleasure, the delicacy; snacking must return to being something that you don't need to be ashamed about. His answer is: ‘Yes but investing is pointless because the market has fallen by ten percent’. Then you have to laugh out loud because with that attitude we will never emerge from the darkness. So a mix at the top is important, but I am not an advocate of affording highly financially-focused people end responsibility. If you do you will predominantly manage what already exists."
