Shareholders and increasingly complex social, political and economic contexts demand ever greater contributions from board directors. Beyond business vision and financial knowledge, shareholders seek directors who are knowledgeable about changes in industry regulations, the technological developments transforming their industries as well as current and future innovation opportunities.

A Chief Executive Officer plays a crucial role in terms of the impact that his/her management and leadership style have on the success of the company’s different work teams and achievement of strategic objectives.

Sales Officers and Channel Officers face the great challenge of attracting today’s consumers, who have become much more demanding as a result of the product and service information available to them. Consumers can access information in real-time on social networks, from the competition or firms specializing in advising consumers (e.g., Consumer Reports).

Marketing and Client Officers are the closest, fastest nexus between a company’s value offer and its clients needs. Companies seek to make contact at the right time and provide a customized response to client needs. Thus, understanding clients, their segmentation and customer journey experience is essential to any business today.

As the digital environment challenges, transforms and even reinvents many businesses across several industries, innovation leaders must respond with thinking that is lateral and pragmatic as well as agile. To do so, they need to develop a digital strategy that involves operational and cultural changes that truly transform the organization’s value offering.

Financial Officers must have extensive knowledge on topics ranging from financing strategies, financial planning, management controls, mergers and acquisitions to how to lead tax, accounting and investor relations teams.

Human Resources Officers have the great challenge of developing and implementing the organization’s talent strategy in a way that integrates company needs as well as current, industry-specific changes. They must be able to convert strategic objectives into a broad agenda for talent development, organizational change, climate and executive commitment to the company, succession and talent retention planning, compensation strategies and labor relations.

Officers of Information Technology and related areas are crucial to business strategies today. Their role impacts a broad spectrum of challenges in areas like innovation and new product/service development, digital strategy, big data management, cloud computing and cybersecurity.

Once a more tactical role, leading the Supply Chain and Operations area has become strategic as it involves directing processes that span the company’s business strategy. Meeting the challenges of the digital revolution, globalization, demanding clients and cost factors requires Supply Chain and Operations Officers who get products to market quickly and efficiently. They must question paradigms, innovate, work fluidly with the sales areas and align with the company’s business objectives.

Many factors impact the image and reputation of today’s companies on the markets and in community circles where they operate. Regulatory agencies, competitors, informed detractors and the public (consumers and non-consumers) can monitor every step that affects their quality of life, values or political, social and/or economic agenda. Thus, companies have a social and environmental commitment to responsibility in these areas and to communicate strategic, competent plans to meet these multi-faceted demands.

Strategic Planning and Development areas have the crucial role of providing Officers, the Chief Executive Officer and Board Directors with real context for understanding market conditions – both adverse circumstances and business opportunities –at a given time so that the company makes more informed, appropriate and timely decisions.

Global jurisdictions, intellectual property, strict regulatory demands, greater scrutiny regarding corporate governance and a culture of integrity and corporate ethics require Legal & Compliance Officers who are experts on these issues and who think strategically about business to harness opportunities proactively and to protect companies in periods of greater complexity.

Markets, data security and information technology are dynamic and multiple changes have impacted new regulations and social responsibility challenges. In that context, risk areas must have an exceptional ability to transform, and a wide knowledge spanning various industries as well as excellent communication with other officers and the board of directors.