The making of a chief strategy officer: Traits, skills and abilities

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

So if you are an executive looking to become a CSO, it is important to understand what the role entails.

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Neelabh Shukla, Chief Business Officer, Careernet, says, “The chief strategy officer plays a pivotal, cross-functional role within a company, influencing both internal operations and external growth strategies. The CSO is responsible for designing and implementing various strategies, ranging from people and business strategies to recruitment, marketing and sales strategies. They are deeply involved in shaping the company’s future growth plans and positioning within the industry.”

Though CSOs would have to develop an organisation's overarching strategic vision, they have to collaborate closely with other executives and departments.

Arnab Sen, Chief Strategy Officer at Omega Healthcare, says this is required to match the business objectives with the internal capabilities, competitive landscapes and market trends. “Additionally, a CSO frequently assesses possible partnerships, divestitures, mergers and acquisitions.”

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The CSO assumes key responsibilities to expand the CEO's bandwidth, seamlessly taking on leadership roles, he says. This is particularly crucial in rapidly growing startups, where CEOs are frequently engaged in activities such as fundraising, expansion and managing investor relations. The CSO becomes a capable replacement for day-to-day operations and crucial decision-making processes.