Instead of acting as the enemies of innovation, CFOs can play a critical role in fostering the development of new products, ideas and processes. And they can do it while staying true to their natures: by applying the finance department's hallmark fiscal hawkishness to innovative initiatives. A recent study finds that some companies' biggest weaknesses in innovation center on the very processes where CFOs can add value--things like sticking to a time-line, earmarking funds, and balancing a portfolio of innovations.
Source: CFO