Heidrick & Struggles

While the human-resources (HR) function is almost universally acknowledged as a critical source of business value, the situation on the ground in many privately owned enterprises (POEs) in China suggests that many companies haven’t gotten the message.

Organizations are facing a new business landscape defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Despite these conditions, most leaders and organizations still focus on the short term and make plans as if the world were predictable, developing point forecasts, budgets, and initiatives that will succeed only in stable situations. Yet, what this environment requires is truly strategic leaders—both women and men—who can adapt to changing conditions and navigate this uncharted terrain to succeed in the long term.

Few functional roles are more vital—or more fast-changing—than that of the chief marketing officer (CMO). A survey of 275 CMOs conducted in partnership with Forrester explores the changing nature of the role and the skills that will be required to master it.