How should a corporate financial manager balance short-term profitability versus longer-term decisions that may not be that quick to yield results and therefore not as popular with the investors?

Answer 1

It seems to me this decision is uaually made not by the financial manager, unless it is some type bond or deposit account.
Business decisions that balance short term profitabiliy vs long term profits and growth are the business of the CEO and board.
How does one do it: Keep short term profits at the level to keep your job, but really aim for long term growth of the business.