Target in C-suite shuffle; adds new position

… will now lead buying for all of Target’s hardlines and softlines product categories, as the company’s executive VP and chief merchandising officer. Read source

C-suite is the board of directors in a company.

The people at the very top of a corporation are referred to as the C-suite. That is, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Chief Information Officer (CIO), and even the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

The C-suite is responsible for strategizing what to do and how to do it. In large companies, it is often very difficult to get up to the C-Suite.

So, how do you get there?

1. Become an expert in your field

If you want to become a C-Suite executive, you must be an expert in your field – at least to some degree.

That means getting degrees, certifications or other sorts of professional training in your field. Be sure to research what kind of education is required for positions at your level. For example, does your company have a minimum educational requirement for an entry level CFO?

2. Start your own business or nonprofit organization

Starting your own business or nonprofit organization allows you to demonstrate your leadership abilities. It also gives you the opportunity to be your own boss – and that’s a skill that cannot be learned in college or any other kind of school.

3. Contribute to other organizations at the executive level

You can demonstrate your capabilities by becoming an executive at a company that provides goods or services to your company’s clients. In this way, you can demonstrate that you understand how companies operate at the highest levels without actually working for them directly.

4. Work as an executive for a company you admire

If you want to be in the C-Suite, you need to work with people who are there now or who are on their way there. You need to take an active interest in how they got there and what they do every day. If you have a personal connection with someone who is already working in the C-Suite, even better! You can ask them about their career and get some tips for your own development.

5. Take on a leadership role in your organization

If you have the chance to take on a leadership role in your company or organization, take it! This gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities to your superiors and your peers.

6. Volunteer or lead a nonprofit organization

Do you have an interest in volunteering? If so, then volunteer with an organization whose mission interests you. It’s a great way to contribute to the community and gain leadership experience.

7. Go back to school

If you work for a large company, there may be opportunities to go back to school for additional training in your field. For example, if you are an engineer, there might be an engineering management certificate program that would allow you to learn more about how to manage people in your company.

8. Find a mentor in your company or industry

A mentor will help you learn the ropes of your industry or company. They can teach you things from how to write a business letter to how to navigate the political landscape of a corporation. The best mentors are usually those who are already in the C-Suite, so it’s important to network and make connections within your company.

9. Take the initiative and ask for opportunities

Do you want to be in the C-Suite? Then ask about ways that you can move up. You need to be proactive about looking for opportunities and then actively seek them out when they arise. You don’t want to just sit around and wait for things to happen!