Moderna's Nouba Afeyan On Entrepreneurship | CFOs Prepare For After The Pandemic | Inside The Forbes Next 1000

Plus: The Forbes Next 1000 2021

At our Forbes CMO Next 2021 event last week, dubbed “Paradigm Reset,” Forbes revealed our first-ever CxO Growth Survey, a comprehensive look at how C-suite executives are working together to chart a course for long-term, sustainable growth. As part of our overall Forbes CxO platform, it's a deep-dive look at the interactions between C-suite executives, how they're connecting and collaborating in new and important ways to deliver on brand and business growth expectations in a changed world. Now more than ever, C-suite alignment is key.

2020 was a year of challenges, but CxOs are largely optimistic that their organizations will emerge stronger from the pandemic. The global study of 500 CEOs, CMOs, CIOs, CFOs and CHROs at companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenues found that executives are uniformly aligned around four key strategies: accelerating digital transformation, enhancing customer experience, investing in talent and sharpening brand purpose. Expect ongoing research from us in this area, with data that will help CxOs lead their businesses forward. You can read more here. 

Elsewhere in executive news, this week we highlight Target’s naming a new chief marketing and digital officer, Cara Sylvester, with former CMO Rick Gomez moving to EVP and chief food and beverage officer at the company, and five steps CFOs can make now to build a strong team for recovery.

Comings & Goings

Target has appointed Cara Sylvester, previously its SVP of merchandising for home products, as its new chief marketing and digital officer. The move, made to strengthen the company’s shift to digital retail, is part of a broader shakeup in the Minneapolis-based retailer’s C-suite.

Leadership & Strategy

Forget logistics, hiring or real estate—the biggest challenge in the post-pandemic world may be even more straightforward: Rebalancing communication. Whether with your team or clients, striking the right balance between in-person, virtual and written communication is essential (and harder than you might think).

The economic crisis of the past year has significantly expanded financial officers’ responsibilities. If you’re a CFO preparing for the post-pandemic landscape, these five steps can ensure your flexibility and efficiency.

While the pandemic has disrupted travel, it may have made international business more accessible than ever. Consumers around the world have shifted to online retail, and services like Alibaba’s digital “Tmall” are allowing American corporations to sell directly to overseas customers.

By The Numbers

104.8%

Amount that the Nasdaq Composite Index is up since last March.

The ongoing bull market has been a boon to investors in the U.S., but the surprisingly rosy picture (particularly in light of the pandemic) has some analysts predicting that a major market correction is looming.

The CxO Profile

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