Podcasts about cfos

CFOs must help secure organizational success while keeping the finances golden. Gary Cooperman, COO and CFO at Pressed Juicery, calls this profitable growth. Joining Jack McCullough, he shares his impeccable strategies for turning this goal into reality, which involves proper team collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a strong relationship with the CEO built on trust. Gary also shares his experiences from the tech industry to the world of consumer-packaged goods (CPG), as well as his valuable insights on using AI tools to elevate his responsibilities as a CFO.

In this episode, Alex Immerman, partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins CJ to discuss the CFO role and how it's changing in the era of AI. He explains what the components of a company's AI agenda the CFO should own, how and where it should be leveraged in an organization, and why, if you're preparing to go public, AI needs to be mentioned in your S-1. He breaks down how the financial landscape differs greatly between AI-native SaaS companies and traditional B2B SaaS companies in terms of retention curves and gross margins, and how this relates to the ever-important LTV to CAC metric. As someone who has worked with prominent CFOs and interviewed many for a16z's portfolio companies, Alex also describes the qualities of a great CFO, and shares his favorite interview question, before discussing CFOs, CEO, and board dynamics.—LINKS:Alex Immerman on X (@aleximm): https://x.com/aleximmAlex Immerman on a16z: https://a16z.com/author/alex-immermanAlex Immerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/immermanAndreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.comCJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.comRELATED EPISODES:So You're Looking for a “Strategic” CFO? Bloomerang's Steve Isom on What That Really Means: —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:19) Sponsor – Navan | NetSuite | Planful(05:52) What Separates Good CFOs From Great Ones(11:56) Questions Alex Asks When Interviewing CFOs for Portfolio Companies(15:17) How CFOs Should Engage With Investors During the Hiring Process(17:22) Sponsor – Tabs | Rippling Spend | Pulley(22:22) What a Great CFO-Investor Relationship Looks Like(24:46) The CFO-CEO-Board Dynamic(28:27) How the Role of a CFO Is Changing in the Era of AI(31:41) AI-Native Company Versus Incumbent for Finance Category Leader(33:49) Components of a Company's AI Agenda That the CFO Should Own(38:39) Why the LTV to CAC Metric Is So Important to Investors(41:13) LTV to CAC by Sector(42:41) The Importance of Gross Margin Adjusting Your CAC Payback(43:21 Retention and Churn Patterns in AI-Native Companies(45:23) Gross Margin in AI-Native Companies Versus Traditional B2B SaaS(50:11) What It Takes To Be a Public Company-Ready CFO Today(53:58) How IPO Expectations for the CFO Have Shifted in the Past Few Years(55:05) Wrap—SPONSORS:Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that helps finance teams streamline reconciliation, enforce policies automatically, and gain real-time visibility. It connects to your existing cards and makes closing the books faster and smarter. Visit navan.com/Runthenumbers for your demo.NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.#AINativeSaaS #a16z #CFO #LTVtoCAC #AIinSaaS Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

On Episode 5 of The Bitcoin for Corporations Show, Pierre Rochard is joined by Garrett Johnston of Marsh to explore how Bitcoin can radically transform the insurance industry. From the trillions in insurance float to the fiduciary risks of ignoring Bitcoin, this episode uncovers the hidden forces shaping treasury strategy, litigation risk, and D&O coverage in the age of BTC.Garrett breaks down the disconnect between Bitcoin-native firms and traditional insurance carriers, and explains why a failure to adopt Bitcoin may soon be seen as a breach of fiduciary duty. Essential viewing for corporate leaders, CFOs, risk managers, and Bitcoin-aligned executives.Chapters:00:00:00 Fiduciary Duty & Bitcoin 00:04:30 Garrett's Insurance Journey 00:09:00 Bitcoin's Disconnect with Insurance 00:13:30 Institutional Misunderstanding of BTC 00:18:00 Insurance Float & Melting Ice Cubes 00:22:30 Litigation and Inflation Risks 00:27:00 Bitcoin's Role in Corporate Risk 00:31:30 Misconceptions about BTC & FTX 00:36:00 MicroStrategy's Legal Landscape00:40:30 Future of Governance & Communication

This week on Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr is joined by Sherry Grote, creator of the Harmony Hero framework and a B2B marketing leader with 25+ years transforming brands and driving revenue. Sherry believes marketing and HR hold untapped power as revenue accelerators—but only if their voices are amplified beyond traditional roles and given real influence in the boardroom. Challenging the status quo that sidelines these functions, Sherry argues that true revenue growth hinges on aligning people, brand, and culture—not just products and pipelines. If you're ready to rethink where brand power really drives the bottom line, tune in—and decide if Sherry's perspective changes your mind.  Episode Type: Problem Solving - Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won't hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives.  Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1: Marketing & HR—The Undervalued Revenue Drivers [04:44]  Sherry Grote boldly argues that marketing and HR are essential drivers of revenue and brand but are consistently marginalized in executive decision-making. She challenges the conventional belief that marketing is a “faucet you can just turn on” and spotlights how HR's influence on culture is chronically overlooked—particularly damaging “in an artificial everything world.” Brandi Starr echoes the misalignment, noting most companies pigeonhole this partnership as “marketing giving HR tchotchkes,” prompting a debate on the true strategic potential of these functions when united.  Topic #2: Boardroom Influence—Turning Up the Volume on Brand Voices [07:14]  Sherry argues that the boardroom routinely sidelines marketing and HR, relegating them to after-thought status in favor of sales, finance, and product updates. “HR, we really don't have time for you to talk, so just put your slide in there and we'll just make sure that the board has that.” She proposes a radical change: marketing and HR should proactively demonstrate their impact on revenue, culture, and pipeline to win advocates among CFOs, CROs, and CPOs—shifting from self-promotion to integrated business influence.  Topic #3: Rethinking Compensation and Collaboration for Revenue Alignment [17:50]  Sherry challenges revenue leaders to recognize compensation misalignment as a core driver of inefficiency and discord between marketing, sales, and HR. She critiques the “rip and replace” approach to CMOs, tying it to systemic incentive problems: “It's often the head of marketing that really sees this breakdown and challenge and having that real relationship with HR could be an opportunity to help to influence that.” Brandi pushes for actionable solutions, leading to a discussion about moving BDRs into marketing and partnering with HR to overhaul incentive structures for true revenue team alignment.  The Wrong Approach vs. Smarter Alternative  The Wrong Approach: “A leader before they've had a time to actually make an impact in the business.” – Sherry Grote  Why It Fails: Swapping out marketing or HR leaders too quickly disrupts momentum and undermines strategic initiatives before they can take hold. This short-sighted turnover prevents teams from making the incremental changes necessary for lasting impact and damages organizational culture and continuity.  The Smarter Alternative: Instead of jumping to leadership changes, companies should focus on building strong alignment and rapport between sales, marketing, and HR, giving leaders the space and support needed to drive meaningful, long-term business results.  The Most Damaging Myth  The Myth: “Marketing is a faucet that you can just turn on and you will get instant results.” – Sherry Grote  Why It's Wrong: This belief leads organizations to expect immediate impact from marketing efforts, creating unrealistic timelines and frustration when quick results don't materialize. As Sherry explains, marketing is actually more like a well that requires consistent pumping—building effective campaigns takes time, ongoing effort, and a systems approach. When companies operate under the “faucet” myth, they make disruptive changes or swap out talent prematurely, undermining long-term progress and ROI.  What Companies Should Do Instead: Treat marketing as an engine that needs sustained investment and incremental improvement. Allow marketing leaders time to build momentum, focus on developing processes, and foster strong cross-departmental relationships—especially with HR—to build a people-first culture that supports brand and revenue growth.  The Rapid-Fire Round  Finish this sentence: If your company has this problem, the first thing you should do is _ “Ensure that you have built rapport with sales, marketing and HR to be in total alignment.” – Sherry Grote  What's one red flag that signals a company has this problem—but might not realize it yet? “If your employees don't have psychological safety, then you do not have a culture that is going to have a positive brand influence.”  What's the most common mistake people make when trying to fix this? “Changing out a leader before they've had time to actually make an impact in the business.”  What's the fastest action someone can take today to make progress? “Know what your 5% is—be clear on what makes you different from everyone else doing your type of job, whether you're in HR, marketing, finance, or sales.”  Buzzword Banishment: Sherry's buzzword to banish is "amplify." She dislikes this term because in today's environment—where it's applied to everything—the word has been overused and lost its impact and meaning. Sherry notes that while "amplify" once described increasing awareness or engagement in a meaningful way, its ubiquity now renders it ineffective and even frustrating to encounter.  Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrygrote/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theharmonyhero  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Harmony-Hero/61568386591394  Website: https://www.theharmonyhero.com  Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live  

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Mary Ellen Normen, a retired school business official blazing new trails in the world of artificial intelligence. With presentations at ASBO and AASA conferences and a widely-read article on AI in school business, Mary Ellen unpacks how SBOs can use AI tools for budgeting, facilities, communications, and strategic planning.From ethical guardrails to getting started with your first AI prompt, this episode is a practical and inspiring roadmap for school business leaders navigating one of the most significant shifts in our profession.Listen now to learn how to leverage AI — wisely, ethically, and effectively.Contact School Business Insider: Check us out on social media: LinkedIn Twitter (X) Website: https://asbointl.org/SBI Email: podcast@asbointl.org Make sure to like, subscribe and share for more great insider episodes!Disclaimer:The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Association of School Business Officials International. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "ASBO International" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. The presence of any advertising does not endorse, or imply endorsement of, any products or services by ASBO International.ASBO International is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and does not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office. The sharing of news or information concerning public policy issues or political campaigns and candidates are not, and should not be construed as, endorsements by ASBO Internatio...

This episode is sponsored by SignUp Software. On this episode, we explore the challenges that CFOs, controllers, and other decision-makers are managing today. Our guests, SignUp's Bob Monio and Velosio's Chris Wheeler, are here to discuss market conditions and trends that are driving priorities for companies using Dynamics 365 Business Central. When it comes to automation, executives are prioritizing investments based on the end-to-end business processes, Bob explained.  That type of big picture strategic planning requires committed partners with industry and technology expertise. And with their ExFlow suite, SignUp also counts on partners like Velosio to set the context for technology investments. Chris shares some of Velosio's recent experiences, as well as plans for the future of the partnership between the firms. More from SignUp Software: Explore SignUp Software's native D365 solutions at signupsoftware.com, and discover how Velosio can support your business at velosio.com.

#238 Why CFOs Who Ignore Excel & Automation Are Falling Behind https://open.spotify.com/episode/0pwzX0ujbANt79RKKxEDMD In this insightful episode of the GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby sits down with Richard Nero, a Microsoft Excel MVP and GrowCFO Facilitator who specializes in finance systems consultancy. The conversation explores the critical importance of Excel proficiency and automation for modern finance leaders. As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decision making, CFOs who fail to embrace these technological tools risk falling behind their more tech-savvy counterparts. Richard Nero brings his extensive experience in Excel, Power BI, and automation to the discussion, sharing how these tools can transform finance operations and create significant efficiencies. The episode provides valuable insights for finance professionals looking to enhance their technical capabilities and leverage automation to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles, rather than getting bogged down in manual processes that consume valuable time and resources. Key topics covered: Richard's journey from early Excel exposure to becoming a Microsoft Excel MVP and finance systems consultant The critical importance of Power Query as a game-changing tool for finance professionals How automation can free finance teams from manual data entry to focus on analysis and strategic decision-making The competitive advantage gained by CFOs who embrace technological tools versus those who resist change The value of continuous learning and staying current with evolving finance technologies https://youtu.be/wIPL5EncKVg Links Richard Nero on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps 00:23:12 Introduction of Richard Nero, Microsoft Excel MVP and finance systems consultant 00:25:30 Richard discusses his early exposure to Excel and career progression in finance 00:32:15 Exploration of the "Mastering Excel for Finance" course and its key components 00:38:40 Discussion of Power Query's transformative impact on financial reporting 00:42:20 How automation is changing the role of finance professionals 00:48:15 The importance of continuous learning in the rapidly evolving finance technology landscape Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode. GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

If you work for a software company, odds are that people make up 80-90% of your business's costs. Today's guest argues that in order to effectively manage a company's greatest asset, the CFO should be heavily involved in shaping the company culture. Bill Tole is the CFO of TrustRadius, a trusted platform where tech buyers find real reviews. He is skilled in creating structures around ambition and breaks down how TrustRadius creates and implements Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). He explains how they differ from KPIs, why they fail, and how to set aggressive but achievable goals. He discusses the Rule of 40 and why it's essential for the rest of the company to understand it. Bill also shares how CFOs can influence culture from a finance perspective and why a lack of failure is a cause for concern.—LINKS:Bill Tole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-tole-0a99789/TrustRadius: https://www.trustradius.com/15Five: https://www.15five.com/CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.comRELATED EPISODES:Less but Better: Miro's Justin Coulombe on the Power of Strategic Divestment in SaaS: —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:15) Sponsor – NetSuite | Planful | Tabs(06:00) TrustRadius's Business Model(09:20) OKRs at TrustRadius and Finance's Role in Them(14:07) Finance's Role in Asking the Stupid Questions(15:58) Sponsor – Rippling Spend | Pulley | Navan(20:10) How To Set Aggressive but Achievable Goals(23:19) The Ideal Number of OKRs(24:21) Leaving Room for Failing or Innovating(25:57) OKR Derivatives at Department Level(27:36) Why OKRs Fail(28:55) Rewriting or Killing Off an OKR Mid-Way(29:51) Where To Track Your OKRs(32:03) Applying the Rule of 40(34:39) Educating the Org on the Rule of 40(37:34) EBITDA Versus Free Cash Flow for Calculating Rule of 40(39:24) The CFO As the Culture Leader(43:21) Using Money To Change the Culture in a Positive Way(45:42) Mistakes CFO's Make When It Comes to Culture(47:06) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Why Failure Is Okay(51:41) Advice to Younger Self(53:44) Finance Software Stack(55:12) The State of SaaS Fragmentation or SaaS Sprawl(57:28) Craziest Expense Story—SPONSORS:NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that helps finance teams streamline reconciliation, enforce policies automatically, and gain real-time visibility. It connects to your existing cards and makes closing the books faster and smarter. Visit navan.com/Runthenumbers for your demo.#failure #companyculture #OKR #KPI #Ruleof40 Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

When global tariffs shift overnight, how do finance leaders keep their footing? In this special CFO Insights edition of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, three seasoned finance leaders share how they're navigating the ripple effects of trade disruption, and what it takes to build financial strategies that bend without breaking.From real-time scenario modeling to rethinking supplier relationships, you'll hear how Barbara Salazar, CFO at E2 Consulting, Carl-Christian von Weyhe, CFO for Middle and Eastern Europe at SAP, and Massimiliano Zambon, Head of Finance at Giovanni Rana UK, are leading with agility, leveraging technology, and making tough calls in an unpredictable global economy.Whether you're bracing for disruption or building long-term resilience, this episode delivers practical insights from the CFOs confidently steering through the storm with agility and strategic foresight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English versus mathematics?  Easy choice for budding engineers at High School and for when they get to University.  Science is logical, knowable, understandable.  Presenting seems to have little in the way of science and more art involved, so best avoided.  Actually they do a pretty good job of avoiding it, until a certain stage in their careers.  These days clients want to talk to the engineers, so they have to front up and visit the buyer with the salesperson.  If the counterparty is another engineer, then the code is in place and everyone is fine.  Line managers, decision makers, CFOs are different beasts and more difficult.  Even more annoying is the client conducts beauty parades to decide which company's engineers they are going to select. This is where the skilled engineer who can present in a skilled way eats everyone's lunch.  One engineer mumbles, rambles, doesn't look confident and is struggling with basic coherence.  The other is clear, concise, in command of the material and making the key points like a legend.  Well, the choice for the buyer is made pretty easy. In other cases, the engineers get promoted and have to represent their section to the senior leaders in the company.  This is often when we get a call.  “Can you help us please.  We have a great engineer leading the team but his communication skills and presentation skills are dismal and the senior leadership have tasked HR to fix the problem, by finding a training company who can help”.  This sounds good but it is often a difficult task.  The major issue tends to be a lack of awareness around the importance and value of presenting.  These skills are soft skills rather than the hard skills, which their profession demands. They can see them as a bit “fluffy”.  Presentation skills are very much in the eye of the beholder too, so opinions can vary regarding what is a good presentation.  This lack of agreed, concrete measurable aspects can be an anathema to engineers. Fluffy or otherwise, persuasion power is a real thing.  This requires good skills in the design of the talk, the gathering of evidence and in the delivery.  Design here means does the talk flow logically resulting in a clear conclusion, that is credible, because of the evidence assembled to support the main argument.  Ace engineer or not, if we start the presentation with a lot of fiddling around with the tech, there is a strong chance our audience is distracted and reaching for their phones to find something more interesting to do.  We have to know that this is the Age of Distraction and the Era of Cynicism and attention spans are functioning at microscopic levels.  No matter how brilliant our evidence is, we will have lost many in our audience in those first few vital seconds, as we establish that first impression between speaker and listener.  Online is even worse because now everyone is granted a free license to multi-task in the background and ignore the speaker. Our opening has to be a gripper, such that the audience want to hear more, they want to know where you are going with this presentation.  We must speak clearly and confidently.  Easier said than done for laconic engineers, who are not prone to speaking a lot.  Also, not doing a lot of presentations or probably, avoiding to do presentations, has left a confidence vacuum that is filled with nervousness.  Sounding confident to an audience when you are not requires a level of thespian ability, which is usually beyond the grasp of hard skill trained engineers.   Rehearsal is the saviour here and lots of it is required.  We don't want to spend all of our time building the slide deck.  The delivery is what sells the message and that relates straight back to the fact we have to buy what we are saying first and then communicate that belief to the audience.  If we don't understand the power of persuasion, we are likely to fluff off the rehearsal component of making the speech professional. I have never been able to trace this supposed Japanese saying but it does sound good, “more sweat in training, less blood in battle”.  Let's make our mistakes in practice, get the talk timing right, work on the cadence, the order and the delivery.  If we have the right mindset, then good things will happen and all of these other pieces of the puzzle will fit into place nicely.  

Live from the Sage Future conference in Atlanta, Aaron Harris, CTO of Sage, joins Blake and David to explain why he wants to completely eliminate the financial close rather than just make it faster. Harris breaks down the three waves of AI transformation in accounting—from task-based automation to generative AI to fully autonomous agents—and reveals how Sage is building custom language models trained specifically on accounting principles with the AICPA. He also discusses the psychology of trust between CFOs and AI systems, introduces Sage's new AI transparency labels, and explains why his company is taking a more cautious approach than competitors like Intuit when deploying autonomous agents.Meet Our Guest, Aaron Harris, CTO, SageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harris-7407b2/Website: https://www.sageintacct.com/leadership/aaron-harrisX: https://x.com/AaronRHarrisLearn more about Sagehttps://www.sage.com/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

This one's for anyone who's ever mistaken SaaS metrics for gospel. I sit down (ok, dine out) with two CFOs—one from a dating app, the other from an HVAC parts company—and come away questioning the whole tech-is-king narrative.Turns out, the guy replacing dirty rugs in Georgia public schools pulled in $22 million last year. And no, he doesn't have a Substack.In this episode:* A billion-dollar business that makes… bolts* SaaS dreams vs. rug-cleaning realities* The myth of “build it once, sell it forever”* Why R&D is just COGS in a costume* A gentle roast of hustle culture and spreadsheet empiresThis is a reminder that while tech has its perks, the world is full of quiet, profitable businesses that don't require churn curves or pitch decks. Sometimes, the best margins come with dirt under the fingernails.Run the Numbers is brought to you by Zenskar.Zenskar is an AI-powered order-to-cash platform that automates billing, revenue recognition, and SaaS reporting — no spreadsheets, no engineering required. Built for modern B2B companies, Zenskar supports any pricing model: subscriptions, usage-based, or complex custom contracts.Step into the future of finance today. Visit zenskar.com/rtn and book a demo! Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

In episode #286 of SaaS Metrics School, Ben Murray breaks down one of the most common — and costly — mistakes SaaS founders and CFOs make when building their Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) schedules: netting contraction and expansion. This seemingly small error can break your ability to calculate key SaaS metrics like Gross Revenue Retention (GRR) and Net Revenue Retention (NRR). What You'll Learn: The essential structure of an accurate MRR waterfall schedule Why separating expansion, contraction, and churn is crucial for calculating SaaS metrics How to calculate GRR and NRR using distinct MRR layers Why trailing 3- and 6-month annualized retention rates offer deeper insights Pro tips on segmenting your MRR by product, ICP, or geography Who This Is For: SaaS founders, CFOs, FP&A leaders, and revenue ops teams looking to improve their SaaS financial reporting and ensure clean, actionable SaaS metrics that stand up to investor scrutiny. Resources Mentioned: Join Ben's private SaaS metrics community: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Subscribe to Ben's newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page Free SaaS Metrics Tools & Templates at TheSaaSCFO.com Enjoying the show? Please rate and review the podcast — it helps more SaaS professionals discover how to build better businesses with metrics that matter.

Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.In this special episode, we explore whether top-performing finance functions have reached a “terminal value” in their cost-cutting journey – and what comes next. As technologies like AI and advanced analytics evolve, finance leaders are shifting focus from efficiency to insight – rethinking operating models, talent strategies, and what it means to create value in a digital era.In this episode, we discuss:1:18 – What “terminal value” means in finance and why top-performing functions may be approaching the limits of traditional cost-cutting4:57 – How evolving finance operating models are incorporating new approaches to data, talent, and technology9:07 – The rise of agentic AI and how autonomous agents are beginning to impact finance workflows18:51 – Key leadership priorities for finance organizations navigating AI adoption and long-term transformationFor more insights, read our publication Have top performing finance functions reached terminal value in the age of AI?Be sure to follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest thought leadership.About our guestsAdam Kennedy is a PwC consumer markets finance leader focusing on business process improvement and finance effectiveness for Fortune 500 companies with an emphasis in retail, hospitality, and gaming. Adam provides consulting services on technology-driven finance transformation, end-to-end revenue stream management, merger integration support, financial analysis and reporting, risk management, and process improvement. Edward Ponagai is a PwC partner who leads large-scale back office transformations and merger integrations. He helps CFOs think through their organization's big picture vision and purpose and drill down to address organizational challenges, operational processes, and technological innovations. About our guest host Guest host Diana Stoltzfus is a partner in the National Office who helps to shape PwC's perspectives on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings and policy development, and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Prior to rejoining PwC, Diana was the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) at the SEC where she led the activities of the OCA's Professional Practices Group.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com

When PagerDuty went public in 2019, it was generating just $100 million in annual revenue which made it relatively small for a SaaS IPO. One of the main motivations for this was that visibility into the company's financials would inspire customer trust. In this episode, CJ speaks with Howard Wilson, PagerDuty's CFO, who shares the unique challenges of going public as a small company, how the landscape has changed since then, and how to approach an IPO when you don't have the experts you need in-house. As a former chief commercial officer, Howard brings unique insights into the role of a CFO. He discusses the importance of building a finance team with customer awareness, how he uses customer usage patterns to challenge traditional SaaS metrics, and how to uncover the unexpected pathways that customers take to reach your business. He also talks about the complexities of the “beat and raise" forecast, how market volatility creates opportunity, and breaks down his framework for mapping out potential investment areas.—LINKS:Howard Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardwilson01/PagerDuty: https://www.pagerduty.com/CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:08) Sponsor – Planful | Tabs | Rippling Spend(06:01) Earnings Calls and Being a Public Company CFO(11:14) How the Bar for Going Public Has Changed Since 2019(14:04) How Going Public Affects Customer Trust(15:50) Sponsor – Pulley | Navan | NetSuite(19:34) Approaching the IPO Process Without the Necessary Experts In-House(21:47) Using Advisors To Fill Functional Gaps in Small Companies(24:38) The IPO Tech Stack for Small Companies(25:44) The Complexities of the “Beat and Raise” Forecast(28:33) How Market Volatility Creates Opportunity(34:37) How Experience as a Chief Commercial Officer Makes a Better CFO(38:16) A Framework for Mapping Out Potential Investment Areas(44:08) Customer Awareness in Your Finance Organisation(47:47) Customer Usage Patterns Versus Traditional SaaS Metrics(52:16) The Unexpected Pathways Customers Take To Reach Your Business(57:54) Long-Ass Lightning Round: A Learning Mindset(59:22) Advice to Younger Self: Don't Stay in Your Lane(01:01:24) Finance Software Stack(01:02:57) Craziest Expense Story—SPONSORS:Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that helps finance teams streamline reconciliation, enforce policies automatically, and gain real-time visibility. It connects to your existing cards and makes closing the books faster and smarter. Visit navan.com/Runthenumbers for your demo.NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.#goingpublic #SaaSIPO #CustomerTrust #CustomerAwareness #PagerDuty Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

We are joined by CFO Jared Miller to discuss the basics of CFO and business finance. What's the difference between an accountant and a CFO? What are the job responsibilities of a CFO? What kind of schooling do CFOs traditionally have? What is EBITDA and how long has the concept been around? What kind of debt do companies have and do CFOs manage taking and repaying loans? Do CFOs need to know about tax law? Do CFOs work closely with attorneys? What kind of software do CFOs use? What are the changes in CFO work with AI? Do the numbers always end up clean, or how often does money go missing from a company?

The finance world is shifting fast, and AI is leading this change. However, how can organizations use it responsibly to maintain trust and stay compliant? Ahikam Kaufman, CEO of Safebooks AI, breaks down how AI is helping CFOs and finance teams automate financial data validation, reduce fraud, and navigate growing compliance demands.

Finance can't lead from behind siloed systems. In this episode, we explore how OneStream connects financial and operational data—giving leaders a unified view to forecast faster, plan smarter, and act with confidence. We break down the real cost of disconnected planning, reveal the top pain points CFOs face, and share how integrated data transforms decision-making. Plus: real-world wins from a water treatment company and Academic Medical Centers. Check all episodes from this Nova Advisory podcast, here: http://www.novaadvisory.com/podcast  

Think your business is worth $12 million? It might be closer to $3.5…and here's why. In this episode, Matt and Luigi sit down with Tom Dillon, founder of Frac Finance, to unpack the brutal realities behind business valuations, botched exits, and what most owners get dead wrong about scaling and selling. From M&A landmines to the truth about fractional CFOs, this one's a wake-up call for any entrepreneur who thinks they're ready. What You'll Learn: Why most owners overvalue their business (and what to do about it) The difference between cost-cutting and growth-minded CFOs How the SBA rule changes are shaking up the M&A game Mistakes SMBs make when raising capital or hiring too early Real talk on family businesses, seller financing, and scaling a CFO firm Favorite Quote: “You can't cost-cut your way to profitability forever.” About Our Guest: Tom Dillon is the founder and principal of Frac Finance, a fractional CFO firm helping SMBs scale, prepare for exits, and make smarter financial moves. With a background in investment banking and private equity, Tom brings real-world experience to a space that desperately needs it…and he's not afraid to ruffle feathers along the way. Why You Should Listen: If you're a business owner who thinks you're ready to scale or sell, Tom Dillon will show you exactly why you're not…and how to fix it before it costs you everything.   Connect with Tom: Twitter / X: https://x.com/profithuntercfo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-dillon-cfa/ Website: https://www.frakfinance.com/  

It's no secret CFOs frequently exit soon after a major acquisition—especially when a larger enterprise takes the reins. But Rene Ho stayed.Ho had been CFO of Taulia, a working capital fintech, when it was still an independent company. After helping lead the firm through its acquisition by SAP, he chose to stay on, guiding the company through integration while preserving what made Taulia unique.It's a reality Ho doesn't resist—instead, he works to make those connections scalable. That mindset reflects a broader shift under his leadership. “We're also embedding our technology more and more into the SAP technology,” Ho tells us, noting that when he joined, the two platforms were sold separately. Now, integration enables “more of a single sale,” smoothing the go-to-market motion.While SAP Taulia continues to align its tech stack, one area remains purposefully independent: the financing operations. “We don't use our balance sheet to finance the invoices,” Ho says. Instead, more than 30 financial institutions and non-bank entities fund those transactions.

In episode #285 of SaaS Metrics School, Ben Murray dives into one of the most overlooked levers in SaaS financial performance—G&A (General & Administrative) spend. How much should you really be spending on back office functions like finance, HR, legal, and IT? Using data from Benchmarkit.AI, Ben walks through G&A as a percent of revenue across ARR stages—from startups under $1M to companies exceeding $100M. He also explains how operating leverage is created through back office efficiency and why using benchmarks segmented by ARR is crucial in SaaS metrics analysis. What You'll Learn: Why aggregate SaaS benchmarks are dangerous G&A benchmarks by ARR segment (top quartile vs. median) The role of operating leverage in SaaS profitability How to evaluate your own back office spend using metrics Actionable targets for G&A as a percent of revenue SaaS Metrics Covered: G&A % of Revenue Operating Leverage Opex Profile by ARR Benchmarking by ARR vs. ACV Resources Mentioned: Benchmarkit.ai Join Ben's SaaS Metrics community for webinars, templates, and live sessions: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page

Strategic leadership is key to driving innovation in renewable energy, and in this episode, we sit down with a powerhouse in the space. Our guest, Ann Anthony, has led financial strategy for some of the most transformative companies in energy, including Oberon Fuels, where she is CFO. She shares her journey from financial management to scaling organizations, securing billions in capital, and navigating complex industry transitions. We also discuss the intersection of finance and strategy, the role of CFOs in mitigating risks, and how to build a high-performance leadership team. Whether you're in finance, energy, or leadership, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro chats with Karla Smith, CFO at Ogilvy UK, about her unique path to CFO and how finance operates at the heart of a creative, people-driven organisation.Key topics covered include:Karla's career journey from audit trainee to CFOHow to succeed in senior finance roles with flexible hours and build mutual trust with your organisation.The role of finance in creative industriesBuilding financial literacy across teams through internal trainingApproaching talent investment and balancing short-term results with long-term value.Tips for new CFOs on strategic planning, effective delegation, and building strong CEO partnerships.Links mentioned: Karla's LinkedinLearn more about Ogilvy Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

 In this episode of the Tactics for Tech Leadership Podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss common questions that CFOs, CEOs, and other stakeholders should pose to the technical leaders within their organizations. Based on a blog post from payslip.com, the discussion focuses on how CFOs can inquire about tech investments' cost efficiency, agility, flexibility, and security. The conversation emphasizes developing thoughtful questioning processes and the importance of mutual understanding between roles.Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/06/10/s3e20-beyond-the-code-your-tech-the-bottom-line/ReferencesTech Questions a CFO Should Be Asking - https://payslip.com/resources/blog/tech-questions-a-cfo-should-be-asking/

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   Justin interviews James Lam about the evolving role of the CRO since the pandemic, vital competencies for today's CROs, risk appetite frameworks, and a case study of E*Trade and how they succeeded with a strong risk appetite framework. They continue the discussion with an examination of James's upcoming six-module virtual course, the RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management. James concludes with his vision of the future of ERM using AI as an enabling tool. Listen to learn more about successful strategies CROs can apply to their ERM programs.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:17] About this episode of RIMScast. Our guest is one of the great thought leaders in risk management, James Lam. He returns to RIMScast today to talk about ERM and a new bi-weekly virtual course he'll be teaching for RIMS that begins in July. [:48] RIMS-CRMP Workshops! Register by July 1st for the next RIMS-CRMP Virtual Workshop, which will be co-led by Parima. That course will be held on July 8th and 9th. [1:04] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED virtual workshop will be led by Joseph Mayo on July 17th and 18th. Register by July 16th. Links to these courses can be found on the Certification Page of RIMS.org and through this episode's show notes. [1:23] RIMS Webinars! The next RIMS Webinar will be held on June 17th. It will be presented by Origami Risk. It's titled “Strategic Risk Financing in an Unstable Economy: Leveraging Technology for Efficiency and Cost Reduction”. Register today through RIMS.org/Webinars [1:43] RIMS Virtual Workshops! On June 12th, Pat Saporito will host “Managing Data for ERM”, and she will return on June 26th to present the very popular new course, “Generative AI for Risk Management”. [2:00] A link to the full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's show notes. [2:12] Mark your calendars for November 17th and 18th for the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is being built. Soon, we will distribute a Call for Nominations for the ERM Award of Distinction. I'll update this episode's show notes when that link is ready. [2:35] Think about your organization's ERM program or one that you know of, and how it has generated value. We will have more on that in the coming weeks. [2:43] On with the show! Our guest today is a risk management trailblazer who is widely considered the world's first Chief Risk Officer. I'm talking about James Lam. [2:54] Starting on July 16th, James will host a six-module course for RIMS, The RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management. It's a bi-weekly course that will run through Wednesday, September 24th. Registration closes on July 9th. [3:14] James is here to discuss and share his ERM philosophies, how the practice has changed in the past five years since he was last on the show, and to give us a preview of what the upcoming course will be like and how it could boost your risk career. [3:31] Interview! James Lam, welcome back to RIMScast! [3:37] James was a guest on RIMScast in the Fall of 2020. We've gone through a lot in the last five years! We've lived through a pandemic, and companies realized the importance of operational resilience and strategic risk management. [4:14] James says today we are facing unprecedented geopolitical risk. We are also facing AI risks and opportunities. Some Chief Risk Officers have stayed relevant and elevated their careers and skills, while others have failed in their organization's ERM programs. [5:01] James tells what may cause a CRO to fail. Applying a “check the box” approach or a compliance approach, without staying relevant with the evolving risk landscape. [5:29] Speaking of successful CROs, James said one CRO he worked with went from being a treasurer reporting to the CFO, to becoming the CRO, then the CFO, and eventually the CEO, all within eight years. [5:58] He and other successful CROs had learned how to add strategic value and be relevant to key decision-makers at the board level and the executive level. [6:15] A key competence is applying risk analytics to quantify and minimize unexpected earnings, helping companies maintain sustainable, predictable profitability. [6:40] Then, evolving that to understanding capital management to optimize capital allocation, dividend policies, and risk transfer strategies, ultimately, applying the same risk analytics to support corporate and business decisions. [7:05] Being able to add strategic value is the most important competence for a Chief Risk Officer today. [7:26] Management and corporate directors are concerned about the unexpected. As CROs, how do we connect our work with things that are the most meaningful to the decision-makers and key internal stakeholders? All boards, CEOs, and CFOs are concerned about earnings. [7:53] Unexpected earnings variance and guidance are things that they are concerned about. CROs can help them with predictable profitability, long-term capital management, and value creation. [8:10] How does a CRO support the leaders' decision-making at the corporate level, where there's M&A or new products, and at the business level, in terms of risk-based pricing and risk transfer decisions? [8:43] James thinks the risk appetite framework is one of the most important processes and capabilities for advanced enterprise risk management. [9:01] Frameworks that don't do well tend to be mostly or entirely qualitative. They tend to be static, maybe updated once a year, with very little change. [9:15] The frameworks that are more strategic and add more value to companies tend to be a combination of quantitative and qualitative. [9:42] Successful risk appetite frameworks also consider risk capacity in terms of capital resources, earnings, and liquidity, relative to our risk management capability and track record. [10:01] Successful risk appetite frameworks look at opportunities. What is the opportunity for profitability, growth, and innovation, relative to risk? If the opportunity is high, then we should be willing to take on more risk. [10:19] Successful risk appetite frameworks tend to be more dynamic in a way that allows the company to reduce risk when it is appropriate but also to take more risk when it is appropriate. [10:31] James says a good risk appetite framework would guide organizations to take more risk, on a selective basis. [10:57] James uses E*Trade as a case study. James was on the board of E*Trade and chaired its risk committee. This case study is in the RIMS CRO Certificate Program in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management. [11:28] James will invite E*Trade's CRO, the head of ERM, and one of the regulators, to provide first-hand experiences and lessons learned. [11:41] James gives examples of how ERM improved E*Trade's business outcomes and profitability. Based on a robust risk appetite framework, E*Trade thought it needed to take more risk in new product innovation and shorten the time to market dramatically. [12:21] Because of that, E*Trade was the first company to offer retail investors the capability to trade stocks and mutual funds on their Apple Watch. It was a very important business opportunity as the Apple Watch was hugely popular. [12:49] This tied into E*Trade's founding as the first internet company to allow retail investors to trade on the internet. It was a proud moment for E*Trade. It shows how a robust ERM program and risk appetite framework can support innovation and business growth. [13:16] In the eight years James was on E*Trade's board until it was sold, its stock went from $8 to $59 a share. It went from B to BBB, from losing money to making money, and from a weak capital position to buying back over $1 billion in stock and offering its first-ever dividend. [13:52] In addition to the E*Trade case study, the course will look into other case studies, good and bad. We will learn from organizations that didn't manage risks effectively and what we could learn from them to prevent that for our organizations. [14:13] We will learn from best-practice companies in the energy and healthcare space. [14:30] Plug Time! The very first RIMS Texas Regional Conference will be held from August 4th through the 6th in San Antonio at the Henry B. González Convention Center. Public Registration is open here. [14:43] Hotel cut-off for the discounted rate is available through July 7th. The full Conference Agenda is now live, so you can start planning your experience. Don't miss the post-conference workshop, the RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Course, available onsite. [14:59] Any chapter member can attend. Links are in this episode's show notes. [15:14] You can also visit the Events Page of RIMS.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you in Texas! [15:21 Just a month later, we will be up North for the RIMS Canada Conference 2025, from September 14th through 17th in Calgary. Registration opened today. Visit RIMSCanadaConference.CA and lock in favorable rates. We look forward to seeing you there! [15:42] Let's Return to My Interview with James Lam!  [16:00] Starting on July 16th, there will be a new course that James is leading. It's the RIMS CRO Certificate Program in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management. If you're listening to this on the week of publication, you've got about a month to register. Registration closes on July 9th. [16:22] James is one of our favorite collaborators! [16:27] James tells what led to the launch of this program. He's very excited to be partnering with RIMS! His motivation for doing this program is that he has worked in risk management for over 40 years. He has been a management consultant working with over 100 companies. [17:10] James has been an eight-time board member, chairing the risk committee, chairing the audit committee, and overseeing risk management, not day-to-day but from a board perspective. [17:22] What James wants to do in this program is to share the lessons he has learned and some of the best practices in a very practical way. He also wants to invite other risk experts to share from their different domains. James has had this idea for over three years. [17:56] He met with the RIMS board members and the Professional Development Team to talk about this. They got an agreement in place, and within a few weeks, they got the outline and the website up. James tells of the team that helped him put it together in bi-weekly meetings. [18:31] The program came together within weeks. The early registrations are above expectations. The market reception has been strong. James says this course will provide an amazing learning experience for the participants. [18:54] It's a six-module, bi-weekly course with four-hour live virtual sessions, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time, starting July 16th and running through September 24th. There will also be self-study with James's book, other articles, and research papers. [19:24] We've got the link in this episode's show notes. A brief description of each of the six modules is on the website. Module 4 is The Role of the Chief Risk Officer and Risk Appetite Statement. That's the James Lam wheelhouse! [19:44] The CRO, the risk appetite statement, and ERM will be critical topics. Other important topics are the role of the board, how risk professionals should not only serve the board but also leverage the board, and strategic decision-making. [20:13] Before the pandemic, teaching virtually was not James's favorite method. He enjoys interacting with participants. Since the pandemic, we've all learned how to learn and to teach in a virtual environment. James says we can make it dynamic and interactive, with a lot of sharing.  [22:53] James thinks they will get into individualized problem-solving. Participants can highlight challenges or opportunities they're facing. Collectively, the group will help with individualized problem-solving. [21:12] James will bring in guest speakers. He has a strong network of excellent board directors and experts with backgrounds in AI, cybersecurity, and ERM. These include former or current CROs with stories to share. He believes all that will make the program relevant and dynamic. [21:45] Plug Time! Let me tell you about the Spencer Educational Foundation. Spencer's goal to help build a talent pipeline of risk management and insurance professionals is achieved, in part, by its collaboration with risk management and insurance educators across the U.S. and Canada. [22:05] Since 2010, Spencer has awarded over $3.3 million in General Grants to support over 130 student-centered experiential learning initiatives at universities and RMI non-profits. Spencer's 2026 application process is now open through July 30th, 2025. [22:27] General Grant awardees are typically notified at the end of October. Learn more about Spencer's General Grants through the Programs tab of SpencerEd.org. Be sure to check out Spencer's Monthly Virtual Campus.  [22:41] On Thursday, June 12th, we will have Reinsurance 101, hosted by Lee Vuu, Founder and President of the MRIA. A link is in this episode's show notes. Register today! [22:53] Let's Conclude Our Interview with James Lam! [23:22] James says the future is bright. AI and risk analytics are going to change our careers and our lives. In the next five years, we're going to see some interesting dynamics with AI and we're going to have some unintended consequences. There will be risks and opportunities. [23:54] For risk professionals, being able to help our organizations and address the risks, whether it's privacy, model risks such as hallucination, or data governance, all those are going to be in our wheelhouse, and we could add a lot of value.  [24:11] James thinks AI could create opportunities to enhance enterprise risk management by tapping into structured and unstructured data and help us minimize unexpected earnings variance, optimize capital structure, and support corporate and business-level decisions. [24:47] A basic question that any AI model asks is, “What would an expert do?” What would an expert driver do in terms of an autonomous car? What would an expert doctor do in this specific situation? In risk management, the senior risk professionals and CROs are the experts. [25:12] James says the CROs have an opportunity to design the training data that would train these AI agents. They would have an impact on training these AI agents directly in terms of being part of the feedback loop. [25:32] James is very excited about where ERM is going to be in the next three to five years. AI will become a very important tool. He doesn't think it will replace risk practitioners. [25:49] The expertise, judgment, governance, and perspective that risk practitioners bring to the table will be valuable. AI will be a huge enabler. [26:11] Looking forward 10 years, James asks, using AI, how do we help with scenario planning and scenario analysis? Regarding many of the emerging and disruptive risks that we face today, we don't have a lot of data or models, so scenario analysis is going to be a critical tool. [26:48] The ultimate level of enterprise risk management would be to create a digital twin of our organization's overall risk profile, including our strategic, financial, operational, compliance, and reputational risks, and run scenarios to stress-test that system with AI. That's not far off. [27:25] James, it has been such a pleasure to reconnect with you. I have a great feeling about the RIMS CRO Certificate Program in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management. Remember, everyone, you have until July 9th, 2025, to register. Virtual seats are filling up! Check out the link! [27:43] I have a good feeling that we're going to be hearing more and seeing more from James in 2025 and beyond, here at RIMS. James, we value you very much. That's why you're here! [28:11] Special thanks again to James Lam. Register now for the RIMS CRO Certificate Program in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management. It is a bi-weekly course that starts on July 16th. Virtual seats are filling up fast, so register by July 7th. The link is in this episode's show notes. [28:32] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [29:00] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [29:18] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [29:35] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [29:52] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [30:06] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. You can email Justin at Content@RIMS.org. [30:14] Thank you all for your continued support and engagement on social media channels! We appreciate all your kind words. Listen every week! Stay safe!   Links: RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management — Featuring Instructor James Lam! Register by July 7. | Bi-weekly course begins July 16. RIMS Texas Regional 2025 — August 3‒5 | Registration now open. RIMS Canada 2025 — Sept. 14‒17 | Registration now open! RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Risk Management magazine RIMS Now The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center Spencer Education Foundation — General Grants 2026 — Application Deadline July 30, 2025 Spencer Virtual Campus — Next Course on June 12 RIMS ERM Conference 2025 — Nov 17‒18 in Seattle! [Save the Date!] James Lam & Associates RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars “Strategic Risk Financing in an Unstable Economy: Leveraging Technology for Efficiency and Cost Reduction” | Sponsored by Origami Risk | June 17, 2025   Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — July 8‒9, 2025 | Presented by RIMS and PARIMA RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — July 17‒18 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule “Managing Data for ERM” | June 12 | Instructor: Pat Saporito  “Generative AI for Risk Management” | June 26 | Instructor: Pat Saporito See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Related RIMScast Episodes: “AI Risks and Compliance with Chris Maguire” “RIMS 2025 Risk Manager of the Year, Jennifer Pack” “ERM, Retail, and Risk with Jeff Strege” “Collateral Benefits Of Pre-Mortem Analysis” “ERMotivation with Carrie Frandsen, RIMS-CRMP” “Live from the ERM Conference 2024 in Boston!”   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs” | Sponsored by Zurich “Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich “What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping” | Sponsored by Medcor “Risk Management in a Changing World: A Deep Dive into AXA's 2024 Future Risks Report” | Sponsored by AXA XL “How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips” | Sponsored by Alliant “RMIS Innovation with Archer” | Sponsored by Archer “Navigating Commercial Property Risks with Captives” | Sponsored by Zurich “Breaking Down Silos: AXA XL's New Approach to Casualty Insurance” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: James Lam, Founder, James Lam & Associates   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

In this episode, Tim Koller, co-author of Valuation and a leading authority on corporate finance, offers a substantive examination of capital allocation decisions under real-world constraints. The discussion moves beyond theory to explore how CEOs and CFOs should approach resource deployment in mature, capital-rich companies—where investment opportunities are limited not due to lack of ambition but due to economic reality.   Key insights include: - Share Buybacks as Rational Policy: Many firms undertaking significant buybacks—particularly in tech, life sciences, and consumer products—do so because they generate more cash than they can reinvest profitably. Koller argues that, in such cases, returning excess capital to shareholders is not a sign of strategic failure but of disciplined decision-making. - The Fallacy of Diversification Without Advantage: Koller highlights repeated failures by capital-rich companies that expand into unrelated sectors to deploy cash, citing historical missteps in energy, utilities, and industrials. He emphasizes the need to assess whether the firm has a genuine competitive advantage before moving beyond its core business. - Granular Leadership in Resource Allocation: Effective CEOs are directly engaged with capital allocation at the business-unit level. Delegating such decisions without maintaining enterprise-wide oversight often leads to underinvestment in high-return growth areas and misaligned incentives at the divisional level. - The Perils of Uniform Cost-Cutting Mandates: Broad directives to improve margins often result in cuts to product development and customer experience—leading to long-term degradation despite short-term financial gains. Koller stresses the importance of distinguishing between cost efficiencies that enhance value and those that erode it. - Timing and Judgment in Capital Deployment: In cyclical, capital-intensive sectors such as chemicals and energy, building capacity in sync with competitors can destroy value. Koller calls for contrarian timing, grounded in independent analysis, even when boards and markets are predisposed to follow the cycle.   Additional themes include the underuse of postmortems in capital projects, the misalignment between project planners and operators, and the distinction between executional and experimental failure. Throughout, Koller reiterates that sound capital allocation depends not only on financial modeling, but also on institutional learning, leadership judgment, and clarity of strategic intent.   This conversation offers practical, senior-level guidance for executives, board members, and investors who must navigate capital planning amid structural constraints, investor pressures, and organizational complexity.   Get Tim's book here: https://shorturl.at/nk7Z9 Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

How do you know when a company is ready to go public? And what do you do to prepare for this? Chirag Shah, CFO of Motive and former CFO of Kong and Cornerstone OnDemand, joins CJ to share insights from his experience of scaling businesses from $30 million to nearly $1 billion and tripling ARR. He talks about taking companies public and how he helped take one private again in a $5.2 billion deal. In this episode, he explains what signals indicate that a company is ready to accelerate its growth, the art and science of building sales capacity, and how to balance efficiency and growth in hypergrowth mode. He also covers how to achieve a great valuation without a strong performance, the biggest headache on the road to IPO, and whether you should IPO in the first place or remain private.—LINKS:Chirag Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chirag-shah-787b1b20/Motive: https://gomotive.com/CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:11) Sponsor – Tabs | Rippling Spend | Pulley(06:25) Personal Product Market Fit: Preparing Companies for IPOs(10:34) How Being a General Manager Made Chirag a Better CFO(15:02) Sponsor – Navan | NetSuite | Planful(18:11) Asking Better Questions in Finance(20:08) Signals That a Company Is Ready To Accelerate Its Growth(25:10) The Art and Science of Building Sales Capacity(28:35) The Dangers of Adding Too Many Sales Reps(33:22) Determining the Numbers of Recruiters and Sales Manager Interviews(35:03) How To Garner a Great Valuation Without a Strong Performance(37:18) The Sweet Spot for Earnings Guidance(41:22) The Biggest Headache on the Road to IPO(44:03) Underappreciated Challenges of Being a Public SaaS Company(46:42) Taking Cornerstone OnDemand Public and Then Private Again(50:17) IPO or Stay Private: Advice for CFOs(52:15) Optimizing for Public Company Holders Versus Private Equity Investors(55:05) Balancing Efficiency and Growth in Hypergrowth Mode(58:34) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Preparation for Being a CFO(01:01:34) Advice to Younger Self(01:04:04) Finance Software Stack(01:05:01) Craziest Expense Story—SPONSORS:Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that helps finance teams streamline reconciliation, enforce policies automatically, and gain real-time visibility. It connects to your existing cards and makes closing the books faster and smarter. Visit navan.com/Runthenumbers for your demo.NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.#scaling #goingpublic #hypergrowth #IPO #PrivateVersusPublic Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

AI is rewriting the rules for marketing roles—and the expectations that come with them. In episode 88 of B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks, Brian Graf and Stijn Hendrikse dig into how job descriptions, hiring, and performance standards are shifting as AI becomes a core part of every marketer's toolkit.What you'll learn:Why activity-based job descriptions are outdated, and why outcomes and ownership matter more than everThe new skills that set marketers apart—like prompt engineering, mastering AI tools, and delivering a high signal-to-noise ratio in your workHow the definition of “quality” has changed, and why B+ work is no longer enough when everyone has access to the same AI-powered shortcutsThe idea that every hire is now a “team of one” backed by powerful AI, and what that means for productivity and accountabilityHow to update your job descriptions and interviews to focus on creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to drive real business results—not just outputWhy testing, feedback, and iteration are now table stakes, and why marketers need to use their extra time for deeper work, not just more workYou'll hear practical examples for content marketing roles, tips for raising the bar on quality, and a candid look at how reputation and professional equity are evolving in the age of AI. The conversation is honest, sometimes a bit unfinished, and full of real-world perspective from two leaders who've seen the shift up close. B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks is one of the most respected voices in the SaaS industry. It is hosted by two leading marketing and revenue growth experts for software:Stijn Hendrikse: Author of T2D3 CMO Masterclass & Book, Founder of KalungiBrian Graf: CEO of KalungiB2B SaaS companies move through predictable stages of marketing focus, cost and size (as described in the popular T2D3 book). The best founders, CFOs and COOs in B2B SaaS rely on a balance of marketing leadership, strategy and execution to produce the customer and revenue growth they require. Staying flexible and nimble is a key marketing asset in a hard-charging B2B world.Resources shared in this episode:The State of B2B SaaS SEO in the Age of AI [2025]Unlocking the power of AI: Transform your content creation processHow Google's New AI Mode Is Reshaping B2B SaaS Marketing T2D3 CMO MasterclassSubmit and vote on our podcast topicsABOUT B2B SAAS MARKETING SNACKS Since 2020, The B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks Podcast has offered software company founders, investors and leadership a fresh source of insights into building a complete and efficient engine for growth.Meet our Marketing Snacks Podcast Hosts: Stijn Hendrikse: Author of T2D3 Masterclass & Book, Founder of KalungiAs a serial entrepreneur and marketing leader, Stijn has contributed to the success of 20+ startups as a C-level executive, including Chief Revenue Officer of Acumatica, CEO of MightyCall, a SaaS contact center solution, and leading the initial global Go-to-Market for Atera, a B2B SaaS Unicorn. Before focusing on startups, Stijn led global SMB Marketing and B2B Product Marketing for Microsoft's Office platform.Brian Graf: CEO of KalungiAs CEO of Kalungi, Brian provides high-level strategy, tactical execution, and business leadership expertise to drive long-term growth for B2B SaaS. Brian has successfully led clients in all aspects of marketing growth, from positioning and messaging to event support, product announcements, and channel-spend optimizations, generating qualified leads and brand awareness for clients while prioritizing ROI. Before Kalungi, Brian worked in television advertising, specializing in business intelligence and campaign optimization, and earned his MBA at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business with a focus in finance and marketing.Visit Kalungi.com to learn more about growing your B2B SaaS company.

You've probably come across Oxygen Advisors if you've spent any time around Aotearoa's startup scene. And if you haven't, well - you've almost certainly heard of the companies they've helped grow. They've been behind the scenes with the likes of Tracksuit, Auror, Ideally and dozens more - helping them grow, operate best in class finance teams and raise capital - guiding them through the tough parts of building. With over 100 startups backed and a 97% survival rate, Matt Dold and Mike Mandis have built a track record that's almost unheard of. In this episode, they join us to pull back the curtain - sharing the frameworks that work, the good habits to cultivate, and the mistakes they help founders avoid. They're speaking more publicly now because they want more founders to succeed. And if you're building something - or thinking about it - this conversation's well worth a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful episode, Rhiannon Albert shares how you can align HR strategy to manage growth and reduce overwhelm. If you're struggling with team misalignment, or if you feel bogged down by HR complexities, you won't want to miss it.You will discover:- Why partnering with HR aligns your team and mitigates risk in chaos- How to integrate HR into decisions to avoid siloed thinking- What open-mindedness allows you to dream bigger despite HR challengesThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizRhiannon Albert is the founder of My Trusted HR. It offers fractional and interim HR leadership to businesses across the U.S. With over 23 years of HR experience and dual certifications (SHRM-CP & HRCI-PHR), Rhiannon specializes in guiding CEOs, CFOs, and business owners in strengthening their HR functions, managing risk, and fostering company culture. As a trusted advisor to leaders, she mentors HR teams, helping them elevate from reactive to strategic.Want to learn more about Rhiannon Albert's work at My Trusted HR? Check out her website at https://mytrustedhr.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you're a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you're doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

In this episode of the Startup CEO Show, host Mark MacLeod sits down with Casey Woo, founder of Operators Guild and Fog Ventures, to explore the evolving landscape of executive roles in the tech industry. Woo, a former military officer and six-time CFO, shares his unique perspective on how AI is reshaping the business world and creating new opportunities for multidisciplinary leaders he calls "scalers."The conversation delves into the changing nature of the CFO role, with Woo arguing that modern CFOs are becoming "mini CEOs" who need to be strategic partners rather than just number crunchers. He discusses how AI is making specialists vulnerable while elevating the importance of generalists who can synthesize information across disciplines. Woo introduces the concept of "scalers" - versatile executives who don't code or sell, but excel at solving complex business problems and leveraging AI for insights.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the future of executive leadership, the impact of AI on various roles, and the growing importance of business intelligence. Woo also shares details about Operators Guild, a community he founded for non-technical executives in tech startups. Tune in to learn how you can position yourself for success in this rapidly changing landscape.Since 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

In this episode of the CFO Catalyst Podcast, host Sumith welcomes Winston Abeyeratne, CFO at Conference Group in South Australia. Winston shares his immigration journey, starting 12 years ago, and his career transition from audit trainee at KPMG in Sri Lanka to various roles in the finance sector in Australia. He discusses the importance of backing statements with numbers, the challenges of working with high-net-worth individuals, and provides advice for new migrants and aspiring CFOs on building a career in finance. The conversation also delves into the evolving role of CFOs, the impact of AI and machine learning on the finance industry, and the significance of continuous learning and process review. Winston offers his insights on earning respect in new roles, mentoring younger professionals, and the benefits of embracing flexibility and creativity in financial leadership Thanks for tuning in to Books to the Boardroom! If you enjoyed today's episode, take your leadership journey further:

In episode #284, let's break down AI ARR. As artificial intelligence transforms SaaS business models, a new metric is gaining traction: AI ARR (Artificial Intelligence Annual Recurring Revenue). But what exactly is AI ARR, how do public SaaS companies define it, and why should private SaaS operators care? In this episode, Ben Murray dives deep into how companies like Verint Systems are reporting AI ARR in their earnings and press releases. Ben breaks down the nuances of these definitions, the implications for SaaS valuation, and what founders, CFOs, and GTM teams need to know to stay ahead of the curve. Key Topics Covered What Is AI ARR? Understand how public companies define AI-based recurring revenue and what makes it distinct from traditional ARR or subscription ARR. Case Study: Verint's AI ARR Disclosure Learn how Verint, a customer and communication automation platform, separates AI ARR from Subscription ARR, and why AI now accounts for 50% of its recurring revenue. Run Rate vs. Recognized Revenue Explore the concept of “annualized quarterly run rate” and why some AI ARR definitions include overages and signed (but not yet active) SaaS contracts. Why AI ARR Matters for SaaS Metrics & Board Reporting Discover how AI ARR can become a key growth driver metric, especially for AI-first SaaS platforms or tools with significant AI adoption. Benchmarking and Financial Transparency Trends Understand why SaaS companies are simplifying metric reporting and focusing on high-signal KPIs like AI ARR for investors and stakeholders. Who Should Listen This episode is a must-listen for: SaaS founders and CEOs scaling AI-powered platforms CFOs and FP&A teams defining KPIs for board decks SaaS investors tracking AI monetization trends RevOps and metrics leaders modernizing dashboards Anyone serious about becoming a SaaS metrics expert Why This Episode Matters As SaaS businesses race to integrate and monetize AI, understanding how to measure, disclose, and leverage AI ARR could be your edge in strategic planning, fundraising, or M&A. SaaS Metrics School isn't just about numbers—it's about empowering you to lead with data. Subscribe & Follow Never miss an insight from the top SaaS metrics podcast. Join our SaaS community. https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page

For years, security has been treated as a necessary evil - a budget line item that CFOs approve without truly understanding its business impact. But what if cloud security could be a revenue driver, an efficiency enabler, and a cost-saving powerhouse? In this episode, Dani Woolf sat down with Chris Thomas, Chief Revenue Officer at AlgoSec, to break down how CFOs should really evaluate cloud security investments, not just as a defensive measure, but as a business accelerator. They dove into the cost of inaction, the inefficiencies draining budgets, and the financial case for security automation - all from a CFO's perspective. If you're still treating security as an overhead cost, this conversation will change the way you think about it. To get a demo of AlgoSec, visit: https://www.algosec.com/lp/request-a-demo

Jeff Harrington, CFO of Children's Hospital Colorado, joins the podcast to share his perspective on the evolving role of CFOs in healthcare. He discusses pressing concerns around potential Medicaid cuts and the growing challenges in recruiting pediatric specialists. Jeff also reflects on how the financial leadership landscape is shifting in response to these complex industry dynamics.

How can finance leaders identify where their capital is silently going to waste and where it can be better used to drive growth? In this episode, CJ interviews Russell Lester, the CFO of Tropic, where capital allocation is both the product and the mission. Russell introduces the concept of “spoilage”, deployed capital that fails to deliver its intended value. He also talks about “levers”, positive actions that force multiply your efforts, and “leakages”, headwinds or detractors that sap momentum. Russell believes it is the job of the CFO (or “Chief Alignment Officer”) to proactively go looking for these levers and leakages. He then explains how he uses his "center of the table" framework to redeploy the freed-up capital to fuel growth. Russell also covers how to address misalignment, what helicopter skills are and why you need them, what a data safari is and why you should take one daily, and why every CFO needs a spend management tool.—LINKS:Russell Lester on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-lester-aa98463/Tropic: https://www.tropicapp.io/CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.comRELATED EPISODES:The Roadshow, the IPO Process, and Ringing That Bell, With CFO Amanda Whalen of Klaviyo.CFO Jenny Decker Unveils Top Frameworks Used at Front. —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:34) Sponsor – Rippling Spend | Pulley | Navan(06:18) The Business of Star Wars(08:33) The Concept of “Spoilage” in Business(10:27) How To Identify Spoiled Capital(15:10) Spoilage Caused by Strategy Drift(16:25) Sponsor – NetSuite | Planful | Tabs(20:06) What Are “Levers and Leakages”(21:40) Identifying Levers(25:52) Identifying Leakages(26:37) The Center-of-Table Framework for Budgeting(31:03) The CFO As “Chief Alignment Officer”(33:06) How To Address Misalignment(34:57) What Alignment Looks Like in a Founder-Led Business(35:54) What Helicopter Skills Are and Why You Need Them(38:07) Data Safaris and Curiosity as a Secret Weapon(42:54) Aligning Data and Defining Metrics(45:08) Using Tropic for Capital Allocation Decisions(48:13) Spend Management: Cutting Costs Versus Driving Growth(51:08) Why Every CFO Needs a Spend Management Tool(52:59) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Alignment With Investors(55:13) Auto-Renewals: Good or Bad(56:25) Advice to Younger Self(57:08) Finance Software Stack(57:57) Craziest Expense Story—SPONSORS:Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that helps finance teams streamline reconciliation, enforce policies automatically, and gain real-time visibility. It connects to your existing cards and makes closing the books faster and smarter. Visit navan.com/Runthenumbers for your demo.NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.#capitalallocation #spendmanagement #capitalspoilage #centerofthetableframework #spendmanagementtool Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

In this episode, Paul Barnhurst sits down with Paul Lynch, the energetic and straightforward CEO of Centage. They dive into what makes great FP&A in today's world and why so many companies are still stuck with outdated tools and bad habits. From growing startups to leading mature SaaS businesses, Paul shares lessons learned, mistakes made, and why data, not gut instinct, is what really drives success. You'll hear why Excel refuses to die, how sales and finance can (and should) work better together, and why chasing growth without understanding your numbers is a recipe for disaster. Paul Lynch has spent his career leading B2B software companies and helping them scale with better decision-making tools. He's been CEO at Assembla and Import.io, and now heads up Centage, a modern FP&A platform. Originally from Dublin and now living in Texas, Paul brings a mix of humor, experience, and blunt truths about finance, growth, and leadership. He's also a former whiskey salesman in South Africa, a passionate cook, and a lifelong Liverpool fan. Expect to Learn:Why reporting is not just planning should be the core of FP&A.How poor unit economics can quietly destroy your business.Why hiring data people early matters more than sales or recruiters.The lasting dominance of Excel and what that says about innovation.How Paul's early sales career in South Africa shaped his leadership style.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“We need to stop worshipping Excel and start building tools for the next 40 years.” - Paul LynchMany companies chase growth without even knowing if they're making or losing money.” - Paul Lynch“The moment you think you know more than your customer, your business starts to fail.” - Paul LynchPaul brings energy, candor, and real-world perspective to a topic that's often bogged down in spreadsheets and jargon. This episode is a must-listen for finance professionals who want to rethink how they use data, sharpen their business instincts, or learn from someone who's built and led through both booms and busts. If you've ever questioned how to grow responsibly, build a smarter team, or move beyond Excel, Paul's insights will challenge your thinking and leave you with practical takeaways to act on.Corporate Finance Institute: Master real-world finance skills with CFI's FMVA program to learn financial modeling, valuations, and strategic insights top finance teams use. Get 30% off any plan and take the next step in your career. Explore now at https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/pricing-FP&A guy/?utm_source=FP&A guy&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=podcast_adsFollow FP&A Tomorrow:Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624 Follow Paul Lynch:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulglynch/Website - https://www.centage.com/Follow Paul: Website - https://www.theFP&A ndaguy.com LinkedIn -

When Matthias Steinberg entered the CFO office at MindBridge in 2022, the audit files displayed on his laptop were already being processed by the company's own AI. KPMG, he adds, was using the same platform to automate journal‑entry testing—work “traditionally done manual.” That shift marked “a big step toward continuous audit,” Steinberg tells us.The platform, he explains, monitors “all relevant financial flows” for two audiences. External audit firms—including “a number of the top 100 in North America”—rely on it to surface anomalies with machine‑learning speed. Enterprise finance teams deploy the same engine as a “monitoring cockpit” that flags vendor over‑charges, payroll errors, and revenue leakage so managers can intervene before profits slip. Replacing after‑the‑fact sampling with continuous insight, it gives auditors and CFOs a single source of truth. By serving both constituencies, MindBridge fuses compliance certainty with operational advantage.Capital strategy now occupies equal attention. Founded in Ottawa, MindBridge had completed several Canadian and U.S. venture rounds; its last raise before Steinberg arrived was led by Silicon Valley's PeakSpan, he tells us. Charged with “professionalizing the business and also [doing] a fund‑raise,” he orchestrated a recap that introduced Boston‑based PSG Equity and offered early backers a partial exit. The diversified balance sheet, Steinberg says, funds the product roadmap that keeps KPMG—and every controller chasing real‑time insight—a step ahead of the next anomaly. Fresh capital also fuels deeper AI R&D and global reach, he adds.

This week, I'm recording late in the lounge with a glass of Irish whiskey, reflecting on the usual mix of chaos and joy in a photographer's life. Some good news first: the Mastering Portrait Photography podcast has landed in the https://podcast.feedspot.com/photography_podcasts/ https://podcast.feedspot.com/portrait_photography_podcasts/ https://podcast.feedspot.com/uk_photography_podcasts/   I share stories from a beautiful small wedding at Le Manoir, talk about how AI is both transforming and disrupting our industry (and how I'm using it to write useful code for the studio), and confess to completely changing my Instagram strategy so it actually makes me smile—feel free to check it out @paulwilkinsonphotography. The highlight? Racing through three days of corporate headshots in London, where the CEO arrives and my flash promptly refuses to fire—just classic timing. A reminder: knowing your kit inside-out and keeping calm is what clients are really paying for. If you fancy joining me in Oxford for a day of portraits, stories, and good company, there's still a spot on our next Location Portraits Workshop. https://masteringportraitphotography.com/resource/mastering-portrait-photography-on-location-in-oxford-9th-june-2025/ As ever: trust yourself, enjoy the process, and be kind to yourself. Cheers!   Transcript   Introduction and Setting the Scene Well, it's been a while since I've recorded a podcast quite like this, but I'm sitting in our lounge. It's late. I've got a glass of Irish whiskey for a change, which is just beautiful. All of my whiskeys have been bought by someone and I love that. I love sitting and thinking of someone, a family member or a friend. 'cause I enjoy, well, the smell and the taste. There's some, I dunno why I like whiskey so much. Um, I just do, there's something, I think it's 'cause my mom and dad liked it. And possibly because of that, I find there's something really magical about the smell and the taste and the color and just, I don't know, something that sat in a barrel for a decade or more just appeals to me, and it has been another busy week. It's Wednesday as I record this, and yet it feels like it's been the end of a week. Um, it's just, it always feels like I'm playing catch up, but I think that's just the nature of the job. When I worked at Accenture all of those years ago, I quite liked the project mentality. Although we were busy, we ramped up and up and up and up until eventually we got to the delivery date. And then of course, once it was delivered, you've got a week or two off all of that pressure built and built and built. It was to an end point. And I don't think, as a photographer, I felt like that since I left that world now it's just a constant churn of to-do lists, retouching shoots, being energized, even things like recording this podcast. You have to be really in the mood to do it, and I'm not always. There have been plenty of times when I've sat down to record something and even a large glass of 15-year-old single molt doesn't do it. However, I am here, it is late. So forgive me if I sort of tumble over some of my words, but I really wanted to get, um, an episode out. I'm Paul and this is the Mastering Portrait Photography  

Travillian's Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech, and Michael Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, reunite in this informative Talent Talk episode to unpack what's really going on in banking leadership this year. From the “Trump bump” aftermath to why CFOs and CEOs are the hottest seats in town. They share fresh updates from across the country, including new leadership placements in Sacramento and Scranton, and break down what's happening in banking talent right now. Relocation's tougher, candidates are sharper, and the race for top execs is anything but business as usual.Tying it all together is a nod to The Breakfast Club, as the hosts compare today's innovation-hungry banks to teens in Saturday detention. Learning, evolving, and preparing to graduate to a better, bolder future.

In this episode, Andrew Grill welcomes back Chris Juneau from SAP Concur to discuss the latest findings from the 2025 CFO Insights report, “Action for Growth.” The conversation explores the evolving role of CFOs, the growing impact of AI and automation in finance, and the introduction of new agentic AI capabilities within SAP Concur's platform.Key Topics CoveredEvolution of CFO Mindset:The shift from “repositioning for growth” to “action for growth” reflects CFOs moving from reactive strategies to actively driving business expansion. Expanded Research Scope:This year's report surveyed not only 350 CFOs but also 115 HR and 150 IT leaders, providing a more holistic understanding of business pressures and cross-functional collaboration.Top Challenges for CFOs in 2025:Geopolitical tensions cited as the top external challenge by 37% of CFOs Concern over worsening economic conditions has declinedA dramatic rise in manual processes as a pain point AI's Transformational Role in Finance:Adoption of generative AI is now mission-critical for managing data overload and driving efficiency.AI is being used for forecasting, closing the books, fraud monitoring and creating new pricing models.SAP Concur's “Verify” tool now automatically audits 100% of expense reports, with 97% requiring no human intervention.Agentic AI & SAP Joule:Introduction of “Joule,” SAP's generative AI copilot, embedded across SAP applications.Joule automates mundane tasks, pre-audits expense reports, and provides real-time policy compliance checks.Joule acts as an agentic AI, orchestrating decisions and actions across multiple business processes, not just within finance.Integration and Real-Time Data:SAP Concur now integrates with payment providers like MasterCard and American Express to capture real-time authorisation data, streamlining expense reporting and improving categorisation.Data Privacy & Security:All financial data processed by Joule is contained within the customer's environment and is not exposed to external AI sources.Data is anonymised when used for model training, ensuring compliance with strict privacy standards.Customisation & Future-Proofing:SAP's Business Data Cloud enables organisations to unify and govern all SAP and third-party data, supporting custom AI queries across previously siloed data sets.Resources & Further ReadingSAP Concur CFO Insights ReportSAP Concur BlogChris Juneau on LinkedInUpcoming EventsCatch Andrew Grill and Chris Juneau on stage at Fusion Exchange in London on June 12. Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedIn@AndrewGrill on Twitter @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

Most leaders think hiring is about resumes. It's not. In this episode of No Broke Months, Dan Rochon tells the raw story of hiring four CFOs in six months—and what finally made the fourth one thrive. It's a lesson in culture, clarity, and leadership. You'll learn why the right person makes the job feel effortless, how to define your company culture using one question, and why your vision, values, and expectations must align. If you're growing a business, building a team, or striving to lead with purpose—this episode is your blueprint.What you'll learn on this episodeThe Wrong Hire Doesn't Mean the Person Is Wrong—Just That They're Wrong for YouThe One Question That Defines Your Culture: “How do I like to be treated?”Why the Right Person Makes the Job Feel EasyThe Scarlet Framework – Self-Starter, Competitive, Assertive, Relationship-Based, Learning-Based, Team PlayerHow to Align Vision, Mission, and TalentLeadership vs. Management – Leaders inspire; managers maintainWhy Clear Expectations Are Non-Negotiable – You can't lead what you don't defineTracking Wins and Failing Forward – Create a culture of ownership without guiltEmotional Safety Matters – Your team should feel supported, not shamedPersonal Reflection Fuels Leadership Growth – Ask: What inspires me? and journal your way to clarityIf you're tired of turnover, misalignment, and team drama—it's not just a hiring problem. It's a leadership opportunity.Teach to Sell isn't just about sales. It's about influence—the kind that builds high-performing teams, attracts aligned clients, and creates a culture that lasts. This book is your guide to becoming the kind of leader people want to work with and buy from.Preorder Teach to Sell today and start building a business—and a team—that never has another broke month. https://www.nobrokemonths.com/teach-to-sell-preorderResources mentioned in this episodeTeach to Sell: Why Top Performers Never Sell And What They Do Instead – Dan's upcoming book focused on transforming the sales industry through influence, not pressure.The Scarlet Hiring Framework: A tool for identifying top talent that aligns with your leadership style.CPI Community: A place for sales pros and business owners to create consistent, predictable income through leadership and systems. To find out more about Dan Rochon and the CPI Community, you can check these links:Website: No Broke MonthsPodcast: No Broke Months for Salespeople PodcastInstagram: @donrochonxFacebook: Dan RochonLinkedIn: Dan RochonTeach to Sell Preorder: Teach to Sell: Why Top Performers Never Sell – And What They Do Instead

Is it true that founders should still own 50% of a company after a Series A fundraising round? Is 10% ownership at IPO a win or a loss? This episode delves into the topic of dilution, breaking down how much of your company you should sell at each stage, how to approach employee and advisor equity, and what employees should know about equity before taking a job. To answer these questions is Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, and someone with a strong read on where the private tech market is headed. He and CJ also discuss when the best time to join a startup is and which cities outside of New York and San Francisco are desirable for people in this space. Peter shares insight into the state of the markets in 2025: What is happening with bridge rounds and down rounds, the odds of making it from seed to Series A, and the most telling statistic: AI funding.—LINKS:Peter Walker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjameswalker/Carta: https://carta.com/Carta's Founder Ownership Report 2025: https://carta.com/data/founder-ownership/Carta's published data reports: carta.com/dataCJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:33) Sponsor – Pulley | Tropic | NetSuite(07:17) Head of Insights at Carta(09:32) The Users of Carta(12:20) Multiplayer Finance and Serving Both Sides(16:24) Sponsor – Planful | Tabs | Rippling Spend(20:15) Dilution: How Much Ownership You Should Give Up at Each Stage(23:02) What SAFEs Are(24:31) The Median Amount of Ownership for a Founding Team After the Series A(26:21) Should You Still Own 50% of the Company After Series A(27:18) Is 10% Ownership for a Founder at IPO Normal?(30:41) The Other Form of Dilution: Employee Equity Grants(34:25) What Employees Should Know About Equity Before Taking a Job(37:51) Why Equity Is Not Money(38:54) ISOs Versus RSUs(40:43) The Best and Worst Risk-Adjusted Time To Join a Startup(44:48) Remuneration by Location in Private Tech(47:39) Equity Comp by Location(48:43) Advisor Equity by Stage(51:28) Bridge Rounds Versus Down Rounds in the Last 6–12 Months(55:36) Survival Rates From Seed to Series A to Series B(57:36) The Best Time of Year To Fundraise(59:05) The Typical Age of a Startup When It's Acquired or It Exits(01:03:19) The State of the Market in 2025: AI Funding(01:06:18) Wrap—SPONSORS:Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. Take control of your spend with intelligent spend management at tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics.NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.#dilution #equity #stateofthemarket #privatetech #carta Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

The CFO Advantage: Key Benefits Explored | The Mills Knows Bills Podcast Episode 56, Season 7 Link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/M3UoU0XFumY  Welcome to Season 7 of The Mills Knows Bills Podcast! Host Mills Bender, founder and current CEO of MKB, discusses strategies for business owners and variable income earners to manage their finances effectively. In this episode, Mills continues her insightful discussion with Paul Childers, owner of BlueSky Biz Solutions. Paul dives into essential questions about business finances, including why business owners delay seeking financial help, the roles of bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs, and how CFOs can provide real value to growing businesses. They discuss the critical differences between reactive and proactive financial management, and how hiring a CFO can bring peace and enable business growth. Tune in to hear valuable advice on choosing the right financial experts and managing your business finances effectively. For more personalized advice, contact Paul through his social media or website: https://blueskybizpro.com/ Don't forget to subscribe for the latest podcast episodes and more from  @mkbcfo   Do you have your own financial questions for MKB? Please visit: Website: https://mkbcfo.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkb_cfo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkbcfo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mkbcfo 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 01:06 Why Business Owners Delay Financial Help 04:57 Identifying Financial Issues 06:35 The Role of Bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs 11:46 Impact of a CFO on Business Growth 16:27 Choosing the Right CFO 18:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts #millsknowsbills #mkb #financialpodcast #businessfinance #entrepreneurialfinance #businessowner #businesscredit #personalcredit #debtmanagement  

Welcome to our inaugural mailbag. I grew up worshipping the mailbags of Bill Simmons (Grantland) and Drew Magary (Deadspin). We needed one of our own.If you have a question for next month, drop it in the comments. And please give us five stars!!!This month's questions:* Career Screw-up Story – “You ask CFOs for mistakes. What's yours?” (Matthew from CO)* OnlyFans Valuation – “Is OnlyFans worth $8B?” (Lewis from MN)* Excel Model Versions – “What's the highest version number you've had in a model?” (Rebecca from MA)* Creative CAC Strategies – “What are some non-digital, low-cost customer acquisition strategies that actually work?” (Justin from FL)* Zombie Startups – “How many companies are 'default dead' but don't know it yet?” (Jackie from NY)* Cursed Model Tabs – “What's the worst tab name you've ever seen in a financial model?” (Tyler from MA)* Misunderstood Metrics – “What's one metric everyone pretends to understand but misuses?” (Rob from SF)* Finance-core Moments – “What's your most finance-core moment?” (Collin from SF)* Profit vs. Valuation in Startups – “Why don't more startups aim to be profitable businesses, not just high-valuation assets?” (Gregg from FL)Run the Numbers is brought to you by Zenskar.Zenskar is an AI-powered order-to-cash platform that automates billing, revenue recognition, and SaaS reporting — no spreadsheets, no engineering required. Built for modern B2B companies, Zenskar supports any pricing model: subscriptions, usage-based, or complex custom contracts.Step into the future of finance today. Visit zenskar.com/rtn and book a demo! Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Nikole Mackenzie, Founder and CEO of Momentum Accounting, to break down how restoration businesses can turn financial mess into momentum.Nikole shares how her team helps owners gain control of cash flow, clean up chaotic books, and implement systems that scale—all through a modern, outsourced accounting model built specifically for restoration companies.You'll learn:Why restoration companies are uniquely suited for outsourced CFO and controller supportThe difference between bookkeepers, controllers, and CFOs—and when to bring each inHow a structured 3-step process can fix leaks in profit and cash flowThe top tech tools for automation, reporting, payroll, AR/AP, and project costingHow to make your financials a growth engine, not an afterthoughtWhether you're trying to scale or just want peace of mind around your numbers, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Want to get your finances out of the rearview mirror and into high gear?Visit https://restoration.momentumaccounting.com/ to learn how Nikole and her team can help your restoration business gain clarity, control, and confidence with modern accounting systems built to scaleIf you're interested in learning how Water Restoration Marketing can help you overcome the challenges discussed in this episode and get more water jobs, book a free strategy session with our team today!https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

How do B2B marketers build genuine trust across the customer journey? Joel Harrison, Founder of B2B Marketing, shares how leading brands are using thought leadership, influencer partnerships, and creative audio to stand out. From award-winning campaigns to vibrant professional communities like Propolis, Joel offers insights that challenge traditional B2B norms. Tune in for a conversation that redefines what it means to connect in the B2B space! Full Episode Details  Joel joins hosts Zontee Hou and Jason Keath on this episode of Social Pros to explore how B2B marketers can embrace creativity, take smart risks, and reclaim the power of brand. He explains why the industry is shifting toward long-term brand building and trust as key drivers of growth. Joel also shares why bravery is now one of the most valuable qualities for B2B marketers, and how storytelling and strategic thinking are making a strong comeback. Joel, Zontee and Jason also dive into the growing role of influencers in B2B, the power and resonance of audio content to build emotional connections, and how the best campaigns often come from clear-minded boldness. Joel also reveals how the most effective marketers today are balancing performance with purpose—and even weighs in on which B2C tactics don't translate to B2B. In This Episode: 1:48 -  The anti-corporate creativity trend 2:26 -  Favorite examples of  creative anti-corporate campaigns  3:51 - Is there a clear line of going too far with this kind of work? 6:25 - How brands can do better at standing out creatively 8:09 -  How  organizations can wade into this influencer space by building trust and to coming off authentically 10:08 -  How to successfully cultivate thought leadership internally  13:27 -  Thought leadership as part of full funnel marketing 15:33 -  Why engagement and conversion respond so well to creative content 16:07 - Tactics to get creative campaigns approved by CFOs, CMOs 18:20 - Upcoming trends in the awards submissions space 19:37 - What B2B can learn from B2C 21:30 - Challenges with trust that B2B organizations face 23:20 - The successful use of creative audio in the B2B space 27:36 - Joel's advice for aspiring social pros Resources: Connect with Joel on LinkedIn Visit the B2B Marketing website   Visit SocialPros.com for more insights from your favorite social media marketers.

In this episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, Brian Zimmerman is joined by Rob Guthrie, CEO of ENFRA (formerly Bernhard), and Brandon Siebold, SVP & Treasurer at Adventist Health, to explore how Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) is helping hospitals modernize infrastructure without taking on additional financial risk. The conversation covers ENFRA's rebranded mission, the financial and operational impact of EaaS partnerships, and real-world results from Adventist Health's system-wide energy transformation. Tune in to hear how CFOs and healthcare executives can align energy strategy with long-term sustainability, resilience, and capital efficiency.This episode is sponsored by ENFRA.

In this episode, host David Mandell welcomes Bob Goettling, a seasoned investment banker and legal expert with over 30 years of experience in healthcare transactions, to discuss the emerging relevance of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) for physician practices. Goettling shares his professional journey, from early M&A work to helping physician groups explore monetization options, including ESOPs as a potentially powerful but underutilized tool.  Bob breaks down the core structure and history of ESOPs, describing them as trust-based leveraged buyouts that allow physicians and employees to own their practice while benefiting from significant tax advantages. He explains how the Bloom Organization itself became an ESOP nearly a decade ago, and how his team has since developed a tailored hybrid ESOP model for medical practices, especially as interest in private equity has cooled due to rising interest rates and negative post-deal experiences. While ESOPs offer clear advantages—like retaining control and optimizing tax outcomes—they also come with complexity. Goettling stresses the importance of choosing the right advisors and ensuring a strong internal management structure. Not every practice is a good fit; size, structure, and strategic alignment are critical factors. The episode offers high-level insight into how ESOPs work, who they benefit, and what red flags to watch for in considering this alternative to traditional M&A routes. KEY INSIGHTS ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan and enables employees to become beneficial owners through a trust structure. Originally introduced in the 1950s, ESOPs gained traction in the 1970s due to government incentives. Goettling and his team at Bloom implemented an ESOP for their own firm nearly 10 years ago and now advise physician groups on doing the same. Tax benefits are significant: ESOP sellers can defer or eliminate capital gains, and the entity itself becomes tax-exempt. ESOPs allow physicians to monetize their practice without surrendering control, unlike private equity deals. The model is ideal for larger practices (15–20+ physicians) with existing governance (boards, CEOs, CFOs). Complexity is a key barrier—ESOPs involve oversight from both the IRS and Department of Labor. Hybrid ESOP models can account for partners, junior doctors, staff, and even future hires. Mistakes often stem from poor advisory choices; experience with ESOPs is essential to avoid pitfalls. ESOPs can be a game-changer for practices looking to stay independent while scaling strategically. Learn more, including additional show notes, links, and detailed key takeaways, by visiting physicianswealthpodcast.com. Click here to get your FREE copy of our latest book, Wealth Strategies for Today's Physician!