Innovation Champions: How CFOs Can Keep Companies Vital

In today’s fast paced and constantly changing market, continuous innovation boosts market share, sharpens competitiveness, lifts earnings and propels careers. CFOs can play a critical role, but for them, supporting innovation presents a particular challenge. According to PwC, faculty at Wharton and top-performing finance executives, embracing innovation requires monitoring risk closely without smothering ideas. For finance executives who have spent the past five years cutting costs and managing cash flow, the balancing act is as formidable as it is essential. The finance department should shed the perception that it bogs down new ideas, and should ensure that companies have the processes and expertise to decide when to invest, and where. In this white paper, Knowledge at Wharton spoke with experts from Wharton and PwC to glean insight into how to approach the challenge.