President Definition

What is a president?

What is a business’s president? The definition, in the corporate context, is the person who leads a segment or an important part of the overall company. Depending on the company’s size, the president may have a different place in the hierarchy.

What does a president do?

A president can wear many hats depending on the size and structure of an organization. Depending on the roles of the other officers, the president of a company may play a vital part in developing the vision and overall direction of a business. They may directly or indirectly manage employees and ensure that projects are completed. 

Because this is a leadership position, the company president often has a lot of decision-making power. This can pertain to one area of the business or multiple areas. The president may oversee the financial aspects of the company and take an active role in growth and marketing strategies. 

President duties

Here are a few examples of duties and responsibilities that a president might have:

• Budget and financial analysis
• Enforcement of company policies
• Leadership and decision-making
• Report to the company board of directors
• Strategic business planning
• Evaluate growth and expansion opportunities
• Risk and liability assessments

What is the difference between a president and a CEO? 

The chief executive officer (CEO) is generally considered the highest-ranking officer in a company. The president is second in command. This is not always the case, depending on the structure of the company. 

In a corporate environment, CEOs often serve as members of the board of directors. The shareholders of a business elect the board of directors. This group usually consists of senior officers in management positions within the company and outside individuals who are not involved with the day-to-day operations of the business. The CEO is responsible for integrating policy and decisions from shareholders into actual company operations. This is one of the reasons the CEO is often the chairperson. 

In some organizations, the president serves the duties of the chairman. In a small business, the president may also be the CEO. In larger corporations, they are often in charge of a segment of the business. Presidents may also hold the position of chief operating officer (COO), which means they are responsible for the business’s day-to-day operations. 

President benefits

There are a number of benefits to having executive officers in a company’s management structure. Having a president can lead to greater organizational success. One advantage to having a president is that it provides strong leadership over a dedicated area, building stability within the company. 

President disadvantages

There are very few disadvantages to having a president of the company. It is essential to evaluate whether your business has the resources to support executive-level employees. Your president is often the face of the company when it comes to business relationships, so it is important to have someone in place who represents your values. 

Summary

A president is a significant person in a business organization. Although exact duties vary by company, they provide leadership at the executive level.