Whenever someone has a three-letter title that starts with C and ends with O, you know they make a lot of money to make critical decisions for their organization. C-Level executives perform a wide range of duties, from developing strategic initiatives for their organization to fundraising and financial planning.
It’s a long road from the entry-level to the executive level, but the rewards are well worth the journey. So, in this article, we’ll break down some of the C-Suite positions, their responsibilities, and the path you must take to get there.
CEO
The first executive that any of us learns about or even hears of is usually the chief executive officer or CEO. Indeed, the CEO is the biggest of the big wigs. While this is a role that men traditionally hold, more and more women are crashing through glass ceilings and reaching the top of their respective organizations.
Suzanne Clark is a prime example of a woman who’s climbed to the top of her organization, and we’re not talking about just any organization either. Ms. Clark is the CEO of the United States Chamber of Commerce. This nongovernmental organization works closely with all levels of government to protect the rights of small businesses and teach children about the importance of business to our society. Indeed, Suzanne is an excellent example for young women and girls who aspire to become entrepreneurs and executives.
CFO
A chief financial officer (or CFO) is the top money person in a corporate structure. They’re involved in every aspect of financial planning, from approving budgets for different departments and projects, and they also play an integral role in their company’s strategy and objectives. Many small businesses have to outsource to get the CFO advisory services they need, making consulting a lucrative field for those with their CPA certification.
COO
Chief operating officers (COOs) are usually the person within an organization who works most closely with the CEO. Many CEOs, Ms. Clark included, were their organization’s chief operating officer before becoming its chief executive officer. However, the COO position is much more than a grooming station for future CEOs. Chief operating officers often have backgrounds in finance and management, enabling them to make decisions that affect every area of the business.
CMO
CMO is the acronym for chief marketing officer, a position that’s grown in importance in recent years due to the popularity and effectiveness of digital marketing. CMOs manage tasks such as marketing project management, pricing, market research, and most importantly, stay abreast of the latest trends to give their company a competitive advantage.
CIO
Chief technical officers (CTOs) and chief information officers (CIOs) perform many of the same functions. Therefore, many companies only have one or the other. However, there are nuances. CIOs focus primarily on research and big data, and CTOs concentrate on finding, procuring, and implementing the right tech for their company.
Chief officers are people who have climbed to the top of their career field and display an ability to see how they can apply their expertise to big-picture issues and solutions. CEOs are the chiefs of chief officers and invariably top the organizational structure. Often following in terms of authority and the importance of their roles are CFOs, who are in charge of finances, and COOs, whose job is to ensure the integrity of everything, from daily operations to recruiting and hiring. You also have your CMOs, who manage marketing, and CTOs and CIOs to lead technology procurement and research efforts.
It takes a lot of hard work to become a C-Level manager. Most C-level employees started at or near the entry-level and rose to the top of their career fields by showing their value as though leaders. And, we believe you have what it takes to do the same.
