LONGING FOR THE 'GOOD OLD DAYS'

Robert Half Management Resources Survey: Executives Face Greater Job Demands Than Five Years Ago

TORONTO, Dec. 21 /CNW/ - Being the boss is getting harder every day, a new Robert Half Management Resources survey suggests. Eight in 10 (80 per cent) chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed recently said they believe it's more difficult to be a company leader in today's business environment than it was five years ago.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, the world's premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals on a project and interim basis. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from more than 270 CFOs from a stratified random sample of Canadian companies with 20 or more employees.

CFOs were asked, "Do you think it's more or less challenging to be a company leader in today's business environment versus five years ago?" Their responses:

    
              Significantly more challenging....  47%
              Somewhat more challenging.........  33%
              No change.........................  18%
              Somewhat less challenging.........   2%
              Much less challenging.............   0%
                                                ------
                                                 100%
    

"As the business environment is constantly evolving, executives are facing additional pressures everyday," said Mike Gooley, regional vice-president of Robert Half Management Resources. "There's no question that these challenges are multiplying - watching expenses, growing the business, and keeping motivation and productivity high despite an uncertain economic environment is critical to remaining competitive."

Gooley added, "As organisations have condensed staff levels, managers have fewer professionals to rely upon. One remedy is to hire selectively to fill personnel gaps and bring in project professionals who have the necessary experience to help them achieve company objectives."

About Robert Half Management Resources

Robert Half Management Resources is the premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals to supplement companies' project and interim staffing needs. The company has more than 145 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.roberthalfmr.com. Follow Robert Half Management Resources at twitter.com/roberthalfmr for workplace news.

For further information: Nadia Santoli, [phone], [email protected]