CSO - Key Functions of a Chief Strategy Officer

CSO - Key Functions of a Chief Strategy Officer
(CopyRight 2008; Benjamin Goh, www.bensglobal.com)

C for Competitive-Environment. Take the analogy of a restaurant. Two key functions are the restaurant manager and the chief chef. The restaurant manager deals with much of the external forces like the customers, the customer services, the type of food to promote, and the sales and marketing activities. The chief chef will work with the restaurant manager to ensure that what the customer perceives is what will be delivered accordingly. She or he formulates the recipes of all the dishes and guides/directs the other cooks in the kitchen to prepare the right food, at the right time, with the right taste for the specific customer, etc. The restaurant manager is the like of the CEO while the chief chef is that of the CSO. The CSO is key in ensuring that the house is in order with the right strategies at the right time and competitive environment.

S for Sparring-Partner. In today's competitive marketplace, the CEO can no longer be effective and efficient as a one-person show. She or he needs a sparring partner who will always be there to challenge or complement her or his ideas and strategies, etc. This is critical to ensure that there is a check and balance in the strategies formulated and executed by the company.

O for One-Company. Every function in the company has their own objectives, goals and strategies in achieving what they are each tasked. The CSO plays the role of a mediator and a facilitator to ensure that all functional strategies are in line with the corporate strategy so as to optimize cost, maximize profit and deliver value to the customer and business partners. The One-Company concept is key to success in any company, big or small.

A final note is that whether the CSO function is an official designation or not, such a role is mandatory to ensure competitive advantage and long term success in any company.