GrowCFO Show

Stephen Campbell, founder and chief solution architect at MacroFin, joins Kevin Appleby to discuss best practices for ERP implementation success. They share their experiences transitioning from accounting to technology consulting and implementation. Key topics covered include: Common challenges clients face when outgrowing systems like Xero and the decision process for selecting a new ERP Best practices for vendor selection and simplifying often lengthy and complex RFP processes Tips for effective project scoping and limiting implementation risks through shorter 90-day phases Emphasis on user training and testing to ensure knowledge transfer and benefits realization Advice on identifying super users and continual process improvement post go-live Perspectives on technology hype vs reality and potential for streamlining accounting through automation High failure rates of ERP projects and how to avoid pitfalls through proper preparation and change management Stephen will present on delivering impactful finance transformations at the upcoming GrowCFO Global Finance Summit on May 16th. https://youtu.be/cMtkZHhmNYw Links Stephen Campbell on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn MacroFin GrowCFO Finance Transformation Bootcamp GrowCFO Global Finance Summit Timestamps Introducing Stephen Campbell and MacroFin (0:11) ERP implementation best practices and process reviews. (5:08) Choosing an ERP system for growing businesses, focusing on NetSuite and Xero. (9:18) The importance of simplifying the RFP process (13:24) Implementing NetSuite ERP system with a focus on knowledge transfer and testing. (17:56) Streamlining accounting processes with technology. (23:06) ERP implementation challenges and best practices. (27:35) Implementing NetSuite ERP system with a focus on process improvement and vendor selection. (31:35) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Timothee Clement. USA Country Manager at Agicap joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show as they discuss the business case for introducing specialist cash flow forecasting technology. Timothee is a returning guest, he discussed implementing cash flow forecasting in episode 119. In this episode he discussed the business case for investing in cash flow forecasting technology with podcast host Kevin Appleby. Timothy explained how most companies still rely on error-prone spreadsheets due to the complexity of forecasting. This leads to inaccurate projections and a lack of visibility. By freeing up time spent on manual processes, finance teams can focus on optimizing cash flow through more accurate forecasting. Kevin and Timothee evaluated the ROI of implementing a specialized system like Agicap. Costs are low compared to labor savings. Benefits include interest savings, investment gains, and allowing finance to partner strategically. ERP systems aren’t designed for flexibility and scenarios required for forecasting. They explored implementation process and timeline. Connecting data sources is quick due to open banking. Training occurs throughout. Risks include lack of stakeholder buy-in, so change management is crucial. Overall, a compelling case emerged for digital transformation in this area to empower finance teams. Timothee Clement is a featured speaker at the GrowCFO Global Finance Summit on 15/16 May 2024 https://youtu.be/o_xZMi7XOAQ Links Timothee Clement on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Agicap cash flow management software GrowCFO Show #119: How to Implement a Cashflow Forecasting system with Timothee Clement, GrowCFO Global Finance Summit Timestamps Introducing the business case for cash flow technology(0:11) Optimizing cash flow and reducing costs through advanced forecasting. (4:13) Improving financial decision-making? (10:21) What implementation options are available. (18:32) Managing the digital transformation (26:29) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Randy Wootton is an experienced technology executive with over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership roles. He joins Kevin Appleby as a guest on the GrowCFO Show ahead of appearing as a panellist at the GrowCFO Global Finance Summit. He has served as CEO of three startups: Rocket Fuel, Percolate, and Maxio. Randy spent 8 years in the U.S. Navy before transitioning to the corporate sector with Microsoft and Salesforce. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Master’s in Great Books. At Maxio, Randy leads a business that helps B2B SaaS companies unlock their next stage of growth. Maxio’s Billing and Financial operations platform is designed to meet the unique financial challenges of B2B SaaS companies. This includes billing, subscription management, revenue and expense recognition, and SaaS analytics. Throughout his career, Randy has developed expertise in go-to-market strategies and helping technology companies scale. He advocates using AI to transform industries like marketing, finance, and accounting. He is passionate about leveraging technology to solve business problems and drive efficiency. In conversation with Kevin, Randy discussed his experiences with AI and machine learning, including using it at a previous company for programmatic advertising. He shared how he now uses AI tools like ChatGPT to research and write articles. Randy and Kevin also discussed AI’s potential impacts on industries like content creation, accounting, and finance. Specifically, they touched on how AI could address labor shortages in accounting by automating data processing and freeing up professionals for higher-level work. Randy and Kevin outlined future AI use cases and will expand on these at the upcoming GrowCFO global finance summit. Previous podcast guest Aneal Vallarupali, CFO at Airbase also features in this session. https://youtu.be/Aqahr5LvetA Links Randy Wootton on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Maxio GrowCFO Show #171: What’s in Store for Fintech in 2024 with Aneal Vallurupalli, CFO at Airbase GrowCFO Global Finance Summit Timestamps Career progression from military to CEO of 3 startups. (0:10) AI and business leadership with a seasoned CEO. (2:19) AI’s impact on content creation, including the use of chatbots for research and writing. (7:03) AI’s impact on the accounting profession, including automation, labour shortages, and new roles. (12:07) Charting the Future: Expert Perspectives on Finance and AI Trends at the Global Finance Summit (17:44) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Chris Tredwell joins regular host Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show. Chris is the Chief Sales Officer at ERP software provider Aqilla. Chris leads GrowCFO’s Future of the Finance Function series of webinars and will be presenting the opening keynote at the upcoming Global Finance Summit on 15-16 May 2024. Aqilla is a mid-market, Cloud-based, Accounting / Postmodern ERP solution that sits above well-known entry-level SME products such as Xero, Quickbooks and Sage. It has the capabilities of products like SunSystems (Infor FMS), SAP Business One, Netsuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Intacct and many others but at a fraction of the complexity and cost. Chris and Kevin discussed how AI and automation are rapidly changing the finance function. They talked about the limitations of legacy on-premise accounting software and how modern cloud-based solutions are needed to take advantage of new technologies. Speeding up month-end close remains a challenge for most businesses, and Chris and Kevin believe this is the biggest opportunity for automation in finance. They emphasized the importance of real-time data access and analytics to drive better business decision-making. They also discussed the importance of benchmarking processes, having a single source of truth for data, and focusing on a few key actionable insights rather than excessive data https://youtu.be/llPpRcJtsps Links Chris Tredwell on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Aqilla GrowCFO Global Finance Summit Timestamps The Global Finance Summit. (0:11) Cloud-based accounting software for mid-market businesses. (3:25) Modernizing finance software for efficiency and time savings. (9:08) AI in finance, automating tasks and improving accuracy. (13:58) Focussing on real-time data and decision-making. (18:32) Data accuracy and a single source of truth in business reporting. (23:24) Modernizing finance functions with a focus on technology and automation. (28:17) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Anthony Perrozi is an independent finance transformation advisor, author and coach. Anthony shares his vast experience and practical insights on how finance teams can evolve from mere reporters of results to crucial drivers of business value. He stresses the importance of mindset in transforming finance teams and lays out how to establish a project approach that optimizes existing processes and pinpoints areas needing improvement. Anthony talks about his journey to becoming a full-time finance transformation expert. Anthony started in accounting but realized there was more to learn outside the textbooks. This led him to take on systems implementation roles and eventually lead transformation projects. Anthony shared some common pitfalls like not committing enough resources to transformations. Organizations also struggle with requests for proposals that don’t consider the level of effort needed. We discussed the need for client-side advisors to provide strategy and ensure different departments work together smoothly. Anthony’s approach involves listening sessions with subject matter experts to understand their pain points and map out processes. Fixing these is key before adding new technology like automation. Process improvement is so important for efficiency gains. When it comes to automation and AI, Anthony stressed the importance of aligned processes and resources first. We can’t just layer technology on top of broken processes. Robotics process automation is commonly used in early automation efforts. Driving the need for change often comes down to issues like errors and wasted time on non-value activities. A big future challenge will be increasing understanding of what transformation really means and how to do it effectively. Our finance transformation bootcamp aims to help with that. https://youtu.be/wijdStudh5g Links Anthony Perrozzi on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Finance Transformation Boot Camp GrowCFO Global Finance Summit Timestamps Introducing finance transformation with expert Anthony Perrozzi. (0:11) Finance transformation and intercompany accounting. (2:27) Finance transformation challenges and solutions. (5:45) Improving business processes through client-side advisors. (11:58) Process improvement for business efficiency. (18:08) Transforming businesses through automation and AI. (24:10) Transforming finance teams and education. (31:21) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Remote working is becoming ever more popular. Besides the trend of working from home, existing workers may want to move to other countries, either for a short period or long term, and the business may want to take advantage of the skills pool available by recruiting further afield. While there are many advantages of remote work, it also opens up new issues in legal and fiscal compliance. John Lee joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to discuss the problem and show how his company, Work From Anywhere, gives an effective solution. John Lee speaks 6 languages and has travelled to 60+ countries. Over the last 20 years he has lived in Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Thailand. His previous start-up, CultureMee, an intercultural communication platform, won “Best Travel Technology Product” at the Global Youth Travel Awards in 2018. Prior to CultureMee, John held senior finance roles in FTSE listed CRH Plc. There, he travelled to over 150+ locations over a 10 year period and got to see first hand the challenges of dealing with complex corporate tax, individual tax and employment law across multiple jurisdictions. Work from anywhere: solving the compliance problem The conversation covered the challenges of managing compliance in remote and hybrid workforces. John Lee discussed his background in finance and startups, and how he enjoys working remotely with his family while navigating complex global tax laws. John highlighted various tax, legal and employment risks companies face with international employees, such as visa requirements, individual and corporate tax, social security, and permanent establishment risks. Different countries have varying rules that can lead to penalties if not properly managed. Kevin and John discussed the challenges of approving remote work locations and hiring overseas employees. John’s platform provides real-time risk assessments and compliance checklists to help businesses navigate these issues. It also saves companies time and money compared to external advisors. Other topics included evolving hiring models like employers of record and contractors, roles popular for remote work, and the future of work being more agile and flexible. John is excited by AI’s potential but emphasizes human oversight for reliability in their legal/compliance domain. GrowCFO members can take advantage of a range of member discounts, including an exclusive 10% discount on a Work From Anywhere subscription https://youtu.be/dopfdelaWv0 Links John Lee on LinkedIn Work From Anywhere Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn 10% discount for GrowCFO members Episode 147 Hybrid Working: Getting the Best from Your Finance Team with Alex Triplett, CFO/COO at Appfire Timestamps Introducing John Lee (0:11) Remote work challenges and solutions. (2:39) Tax and employment risks for multinational companies. (6:37) Hiring models and workforce strategies in international expansion. (10:37) Hiring overseas risks and solutions. (14:36) Remote work and its challenges in various locations. (19:04) AI impact, remote work, and company benefits. (23:19) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Tim Merryweather joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show ahead of a Webinar in April about how to value your business. Tim is an experienced CFO. He describes his career journey, including working in London, Singapore, and the Middle East, and highlights his practical experience in valuing and acquiring businesses. Tim and Kevin discussed Tim’s early experience at Mouchel, a highly acquisitive former FTSE250 company with a high valuation multiple. They talked about valuing a business being acquired, with Tim explaining that they looked at market indications, valuation metrics, and the combined business’s worth. Tim emphasizes the importance of securing relationships and staff during the acquisition process to maximize value. Companies that make frequent acquisitions may increase risk profiles, leading to a lower valuation multiple. When dealing with Private Equity, valuation multiples are based on earnings visibility and forecastability. The quality of a company’s management team is a key factor in determining its valuation multiple. Valuing early-stage businesses requires balancing DCF techniques with market experience and size of opportunity as cashflows are uncertain. https://youtu.be/juhLmo9r5mg Links Tim Merryweather on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Business valuation webinar Timestamps Business growth and expansion with a South African finance leader. (0:11) Career progression in finance, from controller to CFO. (3:25) Valuing a business through acquisition. (8:19) Acquisition strategies and valuation multiples. (13:35) Private equity valuation techniques and market trends. (18:05) Startup valuation and investment strategies. (22:37) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

In the final part of the series on scaling FP&A, Catherine Marks brings together her old team from Virgin Media O2 to discuss the merger of the two organisations and what this meant for the finance teams within each merged company. Regular podcast host Kevin Appleby chats with Catherine, formerly Head of Group FP&A at Virgin Media O2 and now FP&A and Team Training Lead at GrowCFO. They are joined by Julie Parker, who before the deal, was Pre-merger Planning Integration Lead, Finance at O2 and remains in the merged organisation as Head of Finance Integration & Transformation; Tom Writer, who took on the role of Head of FP&A – Consumer Commercial in the merged organisation; and Ed Dannan formerly Central Finance Director at Virgin Media, now CFO at Voneus Broadband. The conversation covered key challenges and strategies for integrating finance teams after a merger or acquisition. The guests discussed their experiences bringing together Virgin Media and O2, highlighting cultural differences, resource allocation challenges, and the importance of speed during integration while managing change. Other topics included measuring synergies, navigating systems integration, and maintaining motivation. The group agreed that having a clear integration strategy and dedicated leadership is crucial to avoid uncertainty during the transition period. Communicating authentically and focusing on both outputs and people aspects were also emphasized as important factors for success. https://youtu.be/lnSXr6up3tw Links Catherine Marks on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Julie Parker on LinkedIn Tom Writer on LinkedIn Ed Dannan on LinkedIn Episode 175 Scaling FP&A 2 Choosing the Right FP&A Tools Episode 174 Scaling FP&A 1 Building Your FP&A Team GrowCFO FP&A Competency Framework GrowCFO FP&A Bootcamp Timestamps Scaling FP&A with guests from Virgin Media and Phineas. (0:11) Post-merger integration challenges and strategies. (3:17) Merger challenges in the telecommunications industry, including cultural differences and resource allocation. (6:59) Cultural challenges after merging two companies. (9:12) Cultural differences in mergers and acquisitions. (14:17) Implementing change in organizations, managing uncertainty. (15:49) Challenges and strategies for merging financial systems. (18:01) Merger planning, baseline, and operational metrics. (20:07) Communication and team alignment. (22:26) Finance Processes in Mergers and Acquisitions. (25:25) Finance transformation and change management. (28:54) Mergers and acquisitions in the finance industry. (30:43) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

In the second of a 3 part series on scaling your FP&A capability, Paul Barnhurst, the FP&A Guy, and Catherine Marks, head of FP&A and team training at GrowCFO, join Kevin Appleby to discuss FP&A tools. They discuss scaling finance operations with a focus on infrastructure and choosing the right FP&A tools for growing organizations. Paul is a Finance Professional with 12+ years of finance and FP&A experience, including business unit CFO roles. He earned a business bachelor’s degree from BYU and an MBA and Master of Science in Information Management from Arizona State University. He is known for his deep understanding of the FP&A software planning space and has recently published an FP&A software market guide. Paul runs his own business providing training services, is a content creator, and hosts two popular finance podcasts FP&A Today and Financial Modeler’s Corner. He provides consulting services for small and mid-sized companies. Paul provided insights on getting infrastructure right and selecting the right planning tools, including Future-proofing FP&A systems with agility, flexibility, and consideration of future needs and strategies. The importance of data organization and having an end-user champion was emphasized. Thoroughly selecting the right business planning tool by considering factors like market size, industry, systems integration needs, and process complexity. Excel limitations and risks were discussed. Implementing performance management systems through a focus on pre-work like defining KPIs and metrics, and experimenting with machine learning/AI capabilities. Keeping processes efficient through a growth mindset, documentation, and continuous innovation as organizations scale. Successfully transferring planning processes to new tools by focusing on design improvements rather than just porting spreadsheets over. Practical advice is to start small, do homework on requirements and avoid being swayed by new tool features without clear needs. https://youtu.be/IFMQB81jk2A Links Catherine Marks on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Paul Barnhurst on LinkedIn The FP&A Guy A guide to 3rd Generation FP&A tools Episode 174 Scaling FP&A 1 Building Your FP&A Team Episode 176 Scaling FP&A 3 Navigating an Acquisition with the Virgin Media O2 FP&A Team GrowCFO FP&A Competency Framework GrowCFO FP&A Bootcamp Timestamps Scaling finance and operations with a focus on infrastructure. (0:12) FP&A tools and strategies for growth-stage organizations. (1:21) Future-proofing FP&A systems with agility and flexibility. (6:30) Selecting the right business planning tool for growing companies. (7:43) Selecting and implementing a performance management system. (15:48) AI adoption, process efficiency, and growth mindset in business. (23:12) Implementing new financial planning tools and processes. (26:54) Financial planning and acquisition strategies. (33:40) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

In the first of a 3 part series on scaling your FP&A capabilities, we’re looking at developing the FP&A team. GrowCFO Show host Kevin Appleby is joined by Jane Riley, Director at executive recruitment specialist Zanda, and Catherine Marks FP&A lead at GrowCFO. Catherine and Jane discuss building a scalable FP&A team to support rapid business growth. The first hire is important. Bringing in a dedicated FP&A professional is a luxury few will be able to afford, so the initial hire will likely be a generalist adapting to changes, says Catherine. Priorities for early-stage companies include cash flow, forecasting, and analyzing financial decisions. Team size and structure should align with business strategy and support functions, potentially including geography for larger companies. Recruiting the right skills and mindset is challenging, as FP&A requires a wide range of abilities. Jane highlights the competitive nature of the recruitment market. Offering variety, progression opportunities, and competitive benefits is key to attracting top talent. Employee turnover needs to be minimised, and Jane brings some great insights around why people leave organisations. Developing both people and culture is important. Direct learning, training, and broadening skills are ways to develop abilities, according to Catherine. Maintaining a strong finance culture and investing in employees can address organizational challenges. https://youtu.be/AlAHP5K5c-c Links Catherine Marks on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Jane Riley on LinkedIn Zanda Episode 175 Scaling FP&A 2 Choosing the right FP&A tools with Paul Barnhurst and Catherine Marks Episode 176 Scaling FP&A 3 Navigating an Acquisition with the Virgin Media O2 FP&A Team GrowCFO FP&A Competency Framework GrowCFO FP&A Bootcamp Timestamps Introducing Jane Riley. (0:11) Hiring a dedicated FP&A person for a growing business. (4:03) Hiring challenges in finance and accounting roles. (12:02) FP&A skills and culture. (19:08) Developing FPGA skills and becoming a great leader. (22:23) Factors leading to FPN leader turnover and career progression. (27:37) Building and maintaining a finance team in a growing organization. (33:26) Scaling businesses with DNA from a people perspective. (35:09) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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 centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Luigi Testa, CFO at LinkSquares joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to share his journey growing LinkSquares from a small company with $2m revenue, through a $100m fundraise, to one with 100% revenue growth in recent years. LinkSquares helps legal teams automate tasks for more efficient work. Luigi discusses navigating business growth through technology, hiring expertise, and finance leadership as the CFO. His FP&A background has helped provide strategic guidance. How did Luigi navigate a $100m fundraise? Luigi led LinkSquares through a Series C financing of $100 million He discussed how they were able to complete this raise and diligence process in under 70 days. Leveraging tools like their contract analysis product Analyze allowed Luigi to quickly provide investors with contract and other diligence information during the fundraising process. Luigi believes that fundraising success comes from building relationships before raising funds. He emphasizes the importance of networking for CFOs. Luigi and Kevin discuss preparing diligently for fundraising through financial housekeeping and relationship building. Leveraging tools like LinkSquares can streamline diligence. How is the CFO role evolving as the company grows? The evolving CFO role focuses on maintaining healthy growth through efficiency gains. Leveraging AI can create automation and leverage resources. Looking ahead, CFOs will focus on scaling efficiently while capturing market opportunities. Data-driven decisions will guide accelerating or focusing on efficiency. https://youtu.be/yLGTVa1Buhk Links Best Practice Accelerator – Prepare for a Fundraising Process Luigi Testa on Linkedin Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Luigi Testa. (0:11) Growth strategy and finance leadership with a legal tech company CFO. (2:32) CFO role, responsibilities, and experience. (5:38) Fundraising and growth for a tech startup. (11:26) Fundraising, financial housekeeping, and legal tech tools. (13:12) Building relationships for fundraising and networking. (18:35) Fundraising and due diligence for startups. (21:16) The evolving role of CFOs in business. (27:25) Leveraging AI for business efficiency and growth. (30:00) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Ashley Vukovits, joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show ahead of the March GrowCFO Best Practice Accelerator that will give you practical tools and advice to plan a fundraise. She will be the guest in the first of three workshops in the accelerator. Ashley is based in Indianapolis, Indiana and is currently managing director of Liftbridge CXO. Liftbridge CXO specialises in placing fractional CFOs in start-up to scale-up stage technology companies to help them reach the next level of growth. Ashley has been involved in fundraising with many organisations and has experience across different types and sizes of deal. She brings this experience into the podcast conversation with Kevin. Ashley discusses various fundraising strategies for early-stage companies, including angel investors, venture capital, private equity, and debt financing. She emphasizes the importance of knowing cash runway and having a fundraising plan. Ashley explains that different fundraising stages involve different expectations, from a focus on leadership and vision at early stages to providing detailed financial data and substantiation when raising larger rounds. Cultivating long-term relationships with potential investors throughout a company’s growth is key to fundraising success. Ashley highlights the importance of existing investors re-investing during her experience fundraising in a problematic 2021 market. Thorough preparation for private equity fundraising is especially important due to increased scrutiny of financial data and processes. Ashley has helped companies improve their readiness through practice diligence runs. Effective management of the fundraising process relies on clear communication and follow-up. The CFO often plays a central “glue” role in driving this while keeping the CEO focused on running business operations. Upcoming best practice accelerator workshops between Ashley and Kevin will provide deeper dives into preparation, relationship-building, due diligence, and other actionable fundraising strategies. https://youtu.be/PSDfMGDWzbw Links Best Practice Accelerator – Prepare for a Fundraising Process Mentoring at GrowCFO Ashley Vukovits on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Fundraising strategies for early-stage companies. (0:11) Fundraising stages and strategies for startups. (3:22) Fundraising strategies and best practices. (8:26) Due diligence in private equity investments. (15:02) AI’s role in fundraising and due diligence processes. (18:59) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Aneal Vallurupalli is a young CFO making a big impact. His career progression is remarkable, moving from investment banking to CFO roles at various companies, including his current role as CFO at Airbase. Aneal joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to talk about the state of Fintech in 2024. Airbase is revolutionizing finance by streamlining company spending processes through a platform that handles payroll, accounts payable, expenses, and physical/virtual cards. Aneal discussed how Airbase’s finance team works closely with product and engineering to develop the platform while also assisting sales and customers. He outlined the importance of the platform’s breadth, depth, and consumer-grade user experience for mid-market companies. Aneal Vallurupalli provided some insights into FinTech growth and competition: Aneal believes what matters most is having a strong product and target market that highly values that product. Airbase has found product-market fit and a retaining customer base. He predicted 2024 could be a tough fundraising year for companies without those key strengths, as many 2021 FinTech startups may need to raise funds but lack traction. Aneal noted Airbase had avoided frequent fundraising rounds by controlling its own destiny through a strong business model and multi-year runway from its last raise over 2 years ago. He acknowledged the FinTech funding environment has been volatile, with openings and closings in the IPO, M&A and private placement markets every few weeks. As a CFO, Aneal’s focus is assuming the worst and planning accordingly to position Airbase well if market conditions turn. Aneal discussed Airbase’s strategy around AI, which is focused on using AI to drive down friction and time for finance professionals within their customer base and employees using the product. For example, developing expense management capabilities allows expense reports to be submitted with no touch by the employee. He also said AI will impact finance teams’ day-to-day tasks, such as making expense report submission more seamless. However, he noted AI is not the central theme at Airbase – it is woven throughout the platform to enhance the user experience. Aneal and Kevin agreed that AI tools will be more useful as companies improve their data strategies and ability to analyze clean, homogenized data from various systems. Kevin highlighted the importance of data quality for AI to produce accurate results. https://youtu.be/C-utxGR_j0A Links Aneal Vallurupalli on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Automation Accelerator Timestamps Revolutionizing finance with a young CFO. (0:11) Career progression from investment banking to CFO roles. (1:07) Streamlining company spending processes. (5:39) FinTech growth, market competition, and recession predictions. (11:24) AI adoption in finance and its impact on teams. (17:15) AI, data strategy, and giving back in the finance industry. (20:03) Remote-first business model and its pros and cons. (25:42) Remote work challenges and self-starter hiring in fast-growing companies. (30:43) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Nicolas Boucher joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO show and shares his experience implementing AI in finance. Nicolas teaches people how to get started with AI in finance, and this is the focus of the conversation. He discussed many ways of using ChatGPT as an assistant rather than just a search engine. Nicolas discussed how to structure prompts to get the most value from ChatGPT, and gave some great examples, such as drafting letters, writing procedures, and generating training content. ChatGPT can also be used for data analysis, problem solving, and exploring automation opportunities using Python. Kevin and Nicolas discussed the rise of AI-powered assistants like Copilot, more natural language interactions, and increased automation of finance tasks. They emphasized experimenting with AI tools, identifying automatable tasks, and staying up-to-date on new capabilities through communities and courses. Nicolas has 15 years of experience working in finance, first as an auditor at PwC and then at a large French multinational company, Thales, similar to Boeing. He is passionate about helping people grow both personally and professionally. This led him to coaching and training others throughout his career. He now runs his own coaching and training business. Nicolas started sharing his insights on LinkedIn which helped grow his audience and career. He now works as a trainer and consultant focused on teaching AI and ChatGPT for finance professionals. His goal is to help as many people as possible learn how to implement useful AI tools in their work. He has developed practical and advanced courses on the topic. https://youtu.be/uamDikynzgE Links Nicolas Boucher on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Join the AI Finance Club GrowCFO FP&A Boot camp GrowCFO Automation Accelerator Timestamps Implementing AI in finance with Nicolas Boucher. (0:11) Using AI language model GPT for writing tasks. (4:16) Using AI tools for training and problem-solving in finance. (11:06) Using AI tools for data analysis and automation. (15:10) Automating finance tasks with Python and AI. (21:48) Finance technology trends and the role of CFOs. (26:21) Using AI tools for productivity and automation in business. (33:37) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

In part 2 of the three-part mini-series on AI for finance, Adam Shilton returns to the GrowCFO show. A year ago, Adam spoke to Kevin Appleby about what’s likely to happen in tech for finance in 2023. 12 months on, they repeat the conversation, but for 2024, the focus is very much on AI. Adam is the founder and podcast host at Tech for Finance and a leading voice on Linkedin. Adam discussed current AI tools for finance and how they are advancing with multimodal capabilities and advanced data analysis features. He highlighted experimenting with different models to find the best fit. Adam talked about using AI for personal productivity through automating tasks, improving workflows, and using it for data analysis. He gave examples like Notion AI, GPT for Sheets, and Microsoft CoPilot. CoPilot Pro has recently been released to all Office users. If ChatGPT was the gamechanger in 2023, then its likely to be CoPilot in 2024. Kevin shared his experience using AI tools for podcasting and building learning materials. They discussed using tools like Motion and Fathom to improve meeting productivity and participation through transcription. Adam predicted greater AI autonomy in 2024 that works towards outcomes without human intervention. He and Kevin emphasized the importance of process optimization before implementing AI and using it to do more with less through tools like Lean. https://youtu.be/uHjEvmi8Xfg Links Adam Shilton on Linkedin Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn AI for finance part 1 with Isaac Heller Unlock the power of Microsoft Copilot Easy ChatGPT Hacks Every CFO Should Know GrowCFO Automation Accelerator Timestamps AI tools for finance professionals. (0:12) Using AI for finance, including personal productivity and data analysis. (3:24) Some practical examples of tool;s Adam and Kevin are using (8:44) Using AI tools to improve productivity and meeting efficiency. (10:55) AI technology and its applications in business. (16:11) AI autonomy and prompting technology. (20:38) AI language models in business. (22:52) AI-powered copilot in Microsoft Office. (28:18) Automation, AI, and process optimization. (32:52) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Kevin Appleby interviews Thomas Zweifel about his career as an author and consultant. Thomas explains that he writes books based on mistakes he has made working with clients in different cultures and industries so that others can learn from his experiences. Thomas is an award-winning author. Some of the books he mentioned writing include Culture Clash, about mistakes made working in different cultures, and Strategy into Action. His most recent book, Gorilla in the Cockpit, discusses how biases at the start of projects can lead them to fail. Their discussion touches on the importance of culture when executing strategy. Thomas talks about discovering the “bottle” of underlying assumptions that guide an organization’s thinking. He also emphasizes that the CFO has a key role to play in determining what activities are still relevant to the strategy and saying no to things that are obsolete. When discussing strategy in an uncertain world, Thomas advocates for his “Strategy and Action” approach of focusing on catalytic 100-day projects rather than multi-year plans. This allows organizations to test ideas quickly and adjust course if needed. Other topics covered include biases that can derail projects from the start, focusing each day on meaningful accomplishments, and using displays and routines to keep teams oriented towards strategic goals. Throughout, Thomas emphasizes examining assumptions and standing in the future as keys to strategic execution. Links Dr Thomas D Zweifel on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Best Practice Accelerator – Deliver Your Business Growth Plan Free video training with Thomas: 4 Secrets for Realizing All Your Commitments (Professional, Financial, Personal) with Freedom, Power and Peace of Mind. Thomas’ Books on Amazon UK and USA Timestamps Introducing Thomas Zweifel (0:11) Strategy execution and leadership challenges. (0:20) Project failures and biases in decision-making. (4:02) Unconscious biases in decision-making in business. (8:18) Strategy execution and cultural analysis. (12:09) Strategy and decision-making in a rapidly changing world. (17:02) Productivity tips for putting strategy into action. (24:14) Time management and productivity strategies for leaders. (28:28) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Tom Ricca-McCarthy, CO-Founder and CEO of Lucidity joins Kevin Appleby to talk about how to execute your business strategy. Kevin and Tom discuss executing business strategy and the challenges involved. Tom explained that while formulating strategy is relatively easy, execution is the difficult part where a strategy needs to be translated into clear activities and goals. They discussed how communication is key to ensure everyone understands the strategy and their role. A common pitfall is strategies end up as documents sitting on shelves gathering dust rather than being implemented. Kevin and Tom agreed the starting point is identifying what to stop, start, and continue from the strategy. They stressed the importance of measurement and reviewing progress regularly. Tom is GrowCFO’s guest at the February Best Practice Accelerator “Deliver your business growth plan”. The accelerator gives GrowCFO members a two-week practical challenge, and the podcast provides a flavour of the tools and techniques Tom and Kevin will share during the accelerator. Tom looked forward to helping participants in the accelerator focus on putting strategies into action using the right tools for planning, communication, and monitoring. https://youtu.be/IJPFGD8dGpY Links Tom Ricca-McCarthy on Linkedin Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Best Practice Accelerator – Deliver Your Business Growth Plan Timestamps Executing business strategies with a focus on CFO’s role. (0:11) Strategy execution challenges and mitigation strategies. (7:34) Communication and strategy alignment in organizations. (13:56) Strategy execution and planning. (19:50) Strategy, execution, and review frequency. (26:10) CFOs’ role in data-driven decision-making. (31:15) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

In the first of a 3 part mini-series about AI in finance, Isaac Heller, CEO of Trullion, joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO show. Isaac describes himself as a proud Texan. Following a sabbatical in 2019, he started a side project, SMRT, that became a Saas startup, Trullion. Trullion is a next-gen technology company building a single source of truth for the Accounting world. Trullion has offices in New York & Tel Aviv. Isaac and Kevin discussed how AI is impacting the CFO role. Isaac’s company, Trullion, uses AI to automate accounting workflows like revenue recognition and lease accounting. This saves time and money for both accounting teams and auditors. They talked about other areas CFOs should apply AI, such as customer support/success using chatbots, marketing content generation, and financial planning/forecasting using AI-powered tools. CFOs should also push other departments to leverage AI. The costs of AI will initially be high due to computing needs, but will likely decrease over time following trends like Moore’s Law. CFOs need to be aware of emerging AI-related costs and avoid vendor lock-in. AI could change how professional services firms charge by moving to more fixed-fee models. – Automating accounting workflows with AI – Other AI applications for CFOs include customer support, marketing, financial planning– Early AI adoption will have high computing costs that may decrease over time– CFOs should avoid vendor lock-in and be aware of emerging AI costs https://youtu.be/NccF10QsZqA Links Isaac Heller on Linkedin Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Finance Transformation Boot Camp GrowCFO Automation Accelerator Trullion Timestamps Introducing Isaac Heller. (0:11) Automating auditing tasks with AI. (3:30) AI’s impact on financial closes and cost savings. (8:29) AI’s impact on CFO roles and responsibilities. (12:31) AI’s impact on productivity and profitability. (18:44) AI costs and strategies. (22:44) AI in accounting and finance for a CFO. (29:02) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Finance teams are changing rapidly. AI and digital transformation are removing many traditional accounting roles, and the modern finance team needs to learn new skills. But how do you upskill your finance team? Award-winning author, executive coach and HR professional Marlo Lyons joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to specifically answer the question, “How do you upskill your finance team?” Marlo discussed with Kevin how finance leaders can develop talent within their teams. Some of the key points discussed included: Developing a workforce plan: This involves forecasting how finance functions and jobs may change with automation/AI, determining the appropriate size of the finance team, and identifying any new skills that will be required. Spotting talent: Marlo recommended looking at soft skills like learning agility when evaluating current staff who may be ready for more strategic roles. These types of skills are important for developing leadership potential. Using 360 feedback and succession planning: 360s provide insights from colleagues while succession planning involves creating profiles for future roles to determine what skills individuals need to develop to be ready for promotion or new opportunities. Aligning values with skills and career path: Understanding one’s values helps identify fulfilling career paths aligned with both individual interests and company needs. This improves engagement and retention. Prioritizing learning agility in recruiting: Given talent shortages, companies don’t need to find candidates ticking every box but rather those with the flexibility to learn new skills, especially when onboarding support can be provided. Marlo Lyons is the author of Wanted – A New Career, which was awarded best self-help book of 2022. https://youtu.be/Bc7QhV5yZhI Links Marlo Lyons on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO Finance Team Skills Assessment Wanted -> A New Career: The Definitive Playbook for Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your Dream Job on Amazon Timestamps Introducing Marlo Lyons (0:12) How to upskill your finance team (1:28) Workforce planning, talent spotting, and soft skills. (4:54) Leadership, development programs, and finance team collaboration. (9:45) Leadership development tools and techniques. (14:09) Career coaching and identifying values for job satisfaction. (18:17) Values, culture, and diversity in the workplace. (23:10) Evaluating talent and workforce planning. (28:24) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Christian Wattig joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show. Christian runs the FP&A boot camp in the USA and is the founder of FP&A Prep. FP&A skills are in greater demand than ever. Kevin and Christian explored how to improve your FP&A skills. Christian discussed his background growing up in Germany and working for large consumer goods companies like P&G and Unilever. He talked about moving to the US and then transitioning to work in tech at Squarespace. Christian explained how he started teaching FP&A courses, which led him to found his own training company. Some key topics discussed included the importance of understanding both the numbers and the business, the role of AI in forecasting and analysis, and how accuracy needs to be balanced with enabling decision-making. Christian sees continued opportunities in teaching and public speaking going forward. What FP&A skills do you need? Christian discussed how understanding the business is as important for FP&A professionals as understanding the numbers. He talked about how forecasting and analysis require solving puzzles with the numbers but also understanding people and psychology when it comes to business partnering, influencing stakeholders, and communicating the company’s financial story. Christian emphasized that having an impact goes beyond just creating models and reports – FP&A professionals need to convince others to take their recommendations and implement changes. He stressed the importance of asking the right questions to understand what really matters to business partners beyond just dollar impacts. The impact of AI in FP&A Christian shared his experience implementing a machine learning model for forecasting at Unilever. He found that it initially provided more accurate forecasts than their previous methods. However, he realized it was difficult to explain variances in leadership used to traditional forecasting approaches. This led Christian to understand that the focus of AI should be on experimenting with different input metrics and data granularity rather than adjusting individual forecasts. He also noted that working with AI requires viewing past data as if it hasn’t happened yet to train models continuously. Christian believes AI can help with tasks like summarization and storytelling for FP&A professionals, but humans still need to apply judgment and address uncertainty. https://youtu.be/fzsEkDA1kzA Links Christian Wattig on Linkedin Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn GrowCFO FP&A Boot camp FP&A Competency Framework Timestamps Introducing Christian Wattig (0:11) Career progression and FP&A experience in various industries. (0:20) FPGA training program and its impact on finance teams. (3:36) Implementing zero-based budgeting and managing stakeholder expectations. (10:19) Forecast accuracy and decision-making in finance. (14:36) Using AI in financial analysis and decision-making. (20:48) AI use in podcast production and storytelling. (29.05) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Catherine Marks, former VP of Finance at Depop joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO show. Kevin interviews Catherine about evaluating a finance function and, in particular, her experience applying this to her finance team at Depop. Catherine discusses the 5-step process she used at Depop to do this. She highlights tools like the GrowCFO size of finance team report and competency frameworks that can help. Catherine also shares lessons from applying this process at Depop as they grew and were acquired by Etsy. This provides a valuable framework for finance leaders to evaluate their teams and plan the right structure for the future. Catherine outlined 5 steps: 1) Understand the business strategy and needs – Catherine stresses starting by understanding where the business is headed in the next 3 years and what financial support will be required. This provides important context for evaluating the finance function. 2) Benchmark the finance function size – Catherine recommends using the GrowCFO size of the finance team report, which benchmarks team size based on 10 factors. This helped her assess where Depop was positioned. 3) Map roles and responsibilities – It’s essential to document the day-to-day responsibilities and any project work to understand capacity and skills needs. Catherine learned to avoid underestimating project work. 4) Assess existing team members – Tools like the GrowCFO competency frameworks and strengths finders can provide insight into individuals’ skills, ambitions, and development areas to identify gaps versus future needs. 5) Evaluate team dynamics – Assessing how well the team works together and implementing initiatives for continuous improvement, like workshops for ideas, helped Catherine motivate and energize the Depop finance team. https://youtu.be/g_LoU0ghOvo Links Catherine Marks on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn The Size of a Finance Team: 2023 GrowCFO Report GrowCFO Competency frameworks January GrowCFO Quest – Assess your finance function Timestamps Evaluating finance functions and teams. (0:12) Finance team structure and development. (5:41) Team dynamics, leadership, and finance transformation. (11:40) Business structure, transactions, and investors. (16:26) Finance team structure and operations. (21:12) Reshaping finance function for future growth. (25:53) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Susana Serrano-Davey joins Kevin Appleby to discuss transforming doubt into achievement. Susana shares her experience overcoming self-doubt to write and publish a book. She outlines a 7-step methodology spelled by the letters in ACHIEVE: Aspire Fearlessly, Creatively Express, Hold Back and Wait, Innovatively Organize, Embrace Support, Validate Your Journey, and Evolve Beyond Limits. A – Aspire Fearlessly. This means to just get started on your goal or dream without worrying about success. Take the first step. C – Creatively Express. Let go of expectations and explore what you’re truly passionate about through creative expression. H – Hold Back and Wait. Don’t rush the process. Give things time to unfold naturally. I – Innovatively Organize. Take a fresh look at your situation and resources to find new ways to achieve your goal. E – Embrace Support. Don’t try to do everything alone. Ask others for help and build a support network. V – Validate Your Journey. Spend time reflecting on whether you’re moving in the right direction through self-observation. E – Evolve Beyond Limits. Break free of limiting beliefs about what you think you can or can’t achieve. Susanna and Kevin discuss applying these steps to goals like writing a book, becoming a CFO, or any goal one doubts they can achieve. Susanna emphasises enjoying the process over fixating on outcomes and finding support from others. This provides practical advice for overcoming doubt and achieving one’s goals and dreams. https://youtu.be/ZmTBeAwgYyg Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Future CFO Program Susana’s Book “I Wish I Had Known” is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US Mentoring at GrowCFO with Susana Serrano-Davey Susana Serrano-Davey on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn View all podcast episodes. Timestamps Transforming doubt into achievement through goal-setting. (0:12) Overcoming self-doubt and pursuing creative passions. (2:58) Creativity, goal-setting, and seeking support. (7:54) Personal growth and self-awareness in leadership roles. (14:04) Embracing fearless aspirations and overcoming limits. (20:00) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Declan Tyrell, the CFO Whisperer, joins Kevin Appleby on the Grow CFO Show. Declan introduced himself as a former CFO and CFO Whisperer at both Google and Oracle. Someone who helps sales organizations understand finance leaders and position value propositions to inspire CFOs. He coaches sales professionals and runs deal clinics to help close deals. Declan is passionate about helping Salespeople understand the changing landscape of buying, in particular how to engage with their customers’ economic buyer in times of financial uncertainty. Declan discussed how to approach CFOs by focusing on the business problem being solved and how the solution creates value. He emphasized clarity over complexity and focusing on “so what” and “who cares” factors. The conversation covered how to structure deals in a way that works for CFO incentives like EBITDA targets. Terrell shared examples of transformations he led at large organizations over months or years to transition finance functions. Declan shared insights from his time as Google’s CFO Whisperer, helping close $2.3 billion in deals. He emphasized the importance of CFO buy-in for successful digital transformations and challenged presenters to identify accountability and measure projected benefits. At Google, he ran weekly deal clinics open for any team to book time and receive feedback on deals. Declan aimed to see 300 deals annually with a combined revenue value of over $2 billion. He challenged teams to clearly articulate the problems being solved and benefits to the business. Declan’s deal clinics became popular training grounds for Google employees, and he found CFO involvement led to higher success rates on digital transformation projects. https://youtu.be/_LUVPCqzX-k Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Future CFO Program Declan Tyrell on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn View all podcast episodes. Timestamps Introducing Declan Tyrell, The CFO Whisperer (0:11) Sales strategies for CFOs and salespeople. (1:27) Finance department automation and modernization. (6:01) Digital transformation and CFO role in project success. (11:14) Business growth and digital transformation. (16:22) Budgeting and strategic planning for business growth. (21:27) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Wassia Kamon was the guest on episode 118. It’s a year since that recording was made. A lot can happen in 12 months. Wassia changed jobs, moved to a different sector, and was promoted in her first three months. She has also risen to fame as an influencer on LinkedIn and has been published in the Wall Street Journal. Somebody has to be the best, so why not you? It was clearly visible behind Wassia as we recorded. It makes a great title for this episode. This episode provides valuable insights into how Wassia Kamon has developed her career over the past year through building soft skills like networking and personal branding. Some key lessons include: The importance of personal branding on LinkedIn to raise your profile and open up new opportunities How networking, both online and offline, can help make career-changing connections Developing a strategy for onboarding yourself into a new role in an unfamiliar industry or sector Managing imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs by surrounding yourself with a diverse “board of directors” for support and feedback Continually learning new skills beyond just certifications to stay relevant and advance to more strategic leadership roles Overall, this discussion highlights the soft skills needed to successfully pivot careers, industries, and accelerate your progression even in a tough job market. Listeners will take away practical advice on networking, personal development, and onboarding themselves for future success. https://youtu.be/veOsBRUXMKc Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Future CFO Program Episode 118 Influencing Without Authority with Wassia Kamon Wassia Kamon on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn View all podcast episodes. Timestamps What’s happened to Wassia in the last 12 months? (0:12) Personal branding. (1:22) Career growth in finance and accounting. (5:37) Imposter syndrome, and onboarding in a new industry. (12:20) Personal development (18:51) Career growth and management with a focus on personal experiences and insights. (25:12) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Dovid Gurevich, CFO at Tynrose joins Kevin Appleby on this week’s GrowCFO Show. Dovid shares his unique background, transitioning from engineering to finance roles. He explained how digital transformation requires clean, integrated data accessible in real-time. Dovid recommended HR platforms like Rippling and Paylocity as the core system to build around, as they integrate HR, payroll, benefits and other functions. This reduces manual work and improves the employee experience. Gurevich also discussed the role of managed service providers in helping small-to-medium businesses overhaul their systems for better data and efficiencies. Overall, the conversation provided insights into holistically rethinking business systems from a digital transformation perspective. Why start with HR and not finance systems? Dovid explained that while finance systems are essential for accurate numbers, they are often a passive recipient of data from other systems rather than the primary source. HR systems integrate data across the employee lifecycle and other critical functions like payroll, benefits and IT access management. This makes HR a better starting point to clean up data flows and drive organic changes to other systems. Finance systems alone don’t contain all the essential quantitative and qualitative data businesses need, so taking a holistic view beyond just numbers is vital for digital transformation. https://youtu.be/BMMiVJrjfZw?si=kZMO-PxBbdv2s4nj Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Finance Transformation Boot Camp Dovid Gurevich on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn View all podcast episodes. Timestamps Introducing Dovid Gurevich (0:11) Entrepreneurship, investing, and business growth. (4:38) Restructuring, digital transformation, and CFO skills. (9:34) Digital transformation and data analysis for small to medium-sized businesses. (14:28) HR and finance integration for small businesses. (22:54) Digital transformation and HR systems integration. (28:35) Streamlining business processes through technology integration. (33:31) Digital transformation: Finance or HR systems first? (39:05) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Soufyan Hamid, founder and financial storytelling trainer at SouFBP joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show. They discuss storytelling in finance presentations. Soufyan started his career in auditing at PwC, then moved to consulting at Deloitte. He realized the importance of storytelling when he became a finance business partner for a telecommunications company in Belgium, as he needed to convince internal stakeholders who did not automatically trust him like external consultants. Soufyan now trains others in storytelling and presentation skills, drawing from his experience of making mistakes and learning over time. He shared five common issues with finance presentations There is no clear message that the audience remembers after the presentation. The presentations use the same structure and format for all audiences. The narrative structure does not follow a compelling story and business reality. The visuals/slides contain too much text, graphs, and tables. The delivery is not practised and focuses more on the slides than engaging the audience. Soufyan then introduced his “STORY” framework for creating effective presentations. The letters stand for Select your message, Target your audience, Organize your thoughts, Review your visuals, and question “Why”. He discussed how to apply each step, such as determining the key message, adapting to different types of audiences, and using inductive or deductive structures. Soufyan emphasized the importance of rehearsing and preparing for questions from the audience. https://youtu.be/LGlk9GCC7mY Links Join GrowCFO today Soufyan Hamid on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn View all podcast episodes Timestamps Introducing Soufyan Hamid. (0:12) ve problems with financial presentations (4:15 Presenting financial results to executives. (7:54) Understand the audience. (13:16) Practical presentation skills in finance. (20:51) Rehearsing presentations and overcoming nerves. (28:00) Understanding storytelling techniques. (32:24) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars.  Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes.  You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Dan Perez, Head of Finance at EdgeDelta joins Kevin Appleby on The GrowCFO Show to discuss observability. EdgeDelta supply observability solutions. Dan explains that observability allows teams to monitor an application’s health based on the data it generates, helping them quickly identify issues and their root causes. This is important for meeting service level agreements and avoiding costly downtime. Observability and FP&A Dan highlights ways that his background in finance and FP&A is relevant to his role focusing on observability. Understanding cost structures and modeling complex pricing is important given the huge volumes of data and unpredictable growth curves that observability systems deal with. Dan also sees potential for AI and machine learning to help automate some FP&A tasks like variance analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling over time. While the technology isn’t fully mature, Dan is excited about the possibilities for using observability data to drive insights and efficiencies for finance teams. His experience in both worlds gives him a unique perspective on their intersection. The challenge of remote working Kevin and Dan discuss the challenges and best practices of managing a distributed remote team. Dan shares that his company Edge Delta is headquartered in Seattle but has employees all over the world, including Dan working remotely from Michigan. They agree it’s important for remote companies to build in social connections between employees. Edge Delta focuses on local meetups when possible and annual all-company events. Over-communicating through Slack is also key. Dan emphasizes respecting different time zones to avoid late-night messages. Having clear priorities helps teams understand what requires immediate response. Both note remote work requires extra effort to feel empowered asking questions outside traditional office settings through virtual office hours. Overall, open communication, respecting work-life balance, and finding ways to socially connect remote employees are important for culture, according to their discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heMh-83mZq4&ab_channel=GrowCFO Links Join GrowCFO today Find out more about EdgeDelta Dan Perez on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn View all podcast episodes Timestamps Dan Perez explains observability.0:11 Using observability to identify issues in a system.2:40 Observability, data growth, and pricing models in the tech industry.6:07 Data quality, AI, and observability in finance.12:37 Company culture at EdgeDelta and hybrid working.18:32 Market competition, and growth ambitions.23:53 Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Carrie Gallant is a dynamic speaker, author, coach and facilitator; she is a licensed associate of the Impostor Syndrome Institute. In this episode, Carrie discusses imposter syndrome and how it affects finance leaders with Kevin Appleby. Carrie shares how she got into studying imposter syndrome and how it can impact people differently based on gender and culture. Common feelings associated with imposter syndrome include feeling like a fraud or not being good enough. Often, the finance leader might suffer from imposter syndrome, but it could just as easily be other members of the finance team. So, as a leader, how do you spot when this affects somebody on your team? Some signs a leader should look out for in their team include underperformance, isolation, or holding back contributions. Strategies to overcome imposter syndrome include acknowledging feelings, focusing on facts and past successes, asking, “What if I felt confident?” and keeping a success journal. The conversation also covers how imposter syndrome can discourage people from applying for promotions or new jobs. Signs of Imposter syndrome a leader should look out for Carrie Gallant mentioned a few signs that a leader should look out for in their team that could indicate someone is experiencing imposter syndrome: – Underperformance – If someone seems not to be performing to their full potential or up to the level expected. – Isolation – If a team member appears more isolated from the rest of the team than others and not fully engaging or participating. – Holding back contributions – Noticing if someone holds back from saying something, contributing ideas, or hesitating to take on responsibilities. This could be a sign they lack confidence. – Surveys showing a lack of belonging – If organizational surveys find a team member has reported not feeling like there is a strong team atmosphere or that they entirely belong. A lack of belonging can contribute to lower confidence. Key strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome Some key strategies Carrie Gallant discussed for overcoming imposter syndrome include: Acknowledging the feelings rather than ignoring them, which helps to normalize the experience. Focusing on facts and looking at past successes, strengths, and accomplishments to provide a counterbalance to negative feelings. Asking oneself, “What if I felt confident?” to shift perspective and think about what actions a confident person might take. Keeping a “success journal” or “bank vault of value” to record achievements and positive feedback as a resource to consult when confidence is low. Leveraging assessment tools like StrengthsFinder to understand better one’s natural talents and strengths to feel more competent in certain roles. Having open conversations with managers using questions like “What’s holding you back?” and “What would you do if you felt confident?” for support and new perspectives. https://youtu.be/IblyotJkGHs Links Join GrowCFO today Overcome Imposter Syndrome: A Guide to Building Confidence for Finance Leaders GrowCFO Show Episode 15: Imposter Syndrome and the CFO with Catherine Clark “Conversation secrets for tomorrow’s leaders” By Carrie Gallant on Amazon UK and Amazon US Carrie Gallant on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Carrie Gallant (0:11) The finance leader’s role is spotting the problem. (1:59) Imposter syndrome and its impact on workplace performance. (6:11) What are the leading causes of imposter syndrome? (11:47) Job descriptions and hiring biases. (17:06) Overcoming imposter syndrome in the workplace. (22:43) Leadership development. (27:33) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here, you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Prudence Muchinouta, CFO of Community Markets for Conservation in Zambia, discusses her journey from her roots in Zimbabwe to becoming a CFO focused on sustainability and ESG. She talks about the challenges of registering smallholder farmers and implementing mobile payment systems in rural areas with limited infrastructure and identification. Prudence is passionate about gender equality and discusses the ongoing challenges facing women and girls in accessing opportunities in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Prudence talks about winning the ACCA Africa 2022 CFO ESG Award. She did not know about the nominations process and was surprised to be nominated. After an initial interview, she had to submit articles and documents about her work on environmental, social and governance issues as well as sustainability. This included her participation at COP26 where she submitted a letter presenting her perspectives. She went through multiple interviews as part of the selection process against two other strong finalists. Winning the award was a surprise and made her cry on the day, as finance professionals rarely receive such recognition. It has significantly impacted her career and visibility in working on ESG and sustainability issues from a finance perspective. Prudence highlights how gender inequality remains a challenge in Zimbabwe and Zambia. In rural areas, girls often only receive education up to a certain level before being married off. Their bride price also supports the education of boy children. While opportunities are more equal in professional circles, discrimination remains. As the only female executive in her organization, Prudence faces pushback when advocating for the “feminine” perspectives that contribute to their strategies. Employers also often prefer to hire male graduates over females, assuming women will take time off for families. While laws require accommodation, internal biases remain. Prudence feels more discrimination is faced by underprivileged women and girls beyond the towns and cities. Economic challenges also exacerbate issues of unequal access to opportunities. https://youtu.be/qozb9RnwniA Links Join GrowCFO today Prudence Muchinouta on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Prudence Muchinouta (0:11) Career progression from financial reporting to CFO in the telecom industry. (4:27) Sustainable agriculture and financial inclusion in Africa. (10:24) ESG challenges in Africa with a passionate advocate. (15:39) Winning the ACCA CFO ESG Award (19:04) Gender inequality in finance and leadership. (25:07) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and take part in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members also have access to our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Kevin Appleby is in conversation with Roi Ben Daniel. Roi is the founder and CEO of Received, a billing and accounts receivable solution focused on the specialised needs of B2B sales organisations. They discuss the challenges facing mid-market SaaS companies and the pressures CFOs face around software costs, pricing models, and customer unit economics. Roi also shares insights into opportunities like service monetisation and why building invoicing in-house often doesn’t make sense compared to a dedicated solution. Roi discussed how companies are gaining more pricing flexibility to address demands from both customers and investors. Offering tiered pricing through levels of service like bronze, silver and gold helps give customers options while protecting recurring revenues. He also talked about how services, which can be one of the highest costs for software businesses, are often provided for free historically. Now, companies are finding innovative ways to monetise services through recurring tiers with bank hours and overage fees. Organisations are also looking to “productise” services in order to maximise commercial value from each customer relationship. https://youtu.be/WVWwci4Ba7Y Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Finance Transformation Boot Camp GrowCFO Show episode 137 “Subscription Pricing and Packaging” with Wolter Rebergen, Commercial Director at Younium Roi Ben Daniel on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Cash flow and revenue management for B2B sales lead organizations. (0:11) Fintech industry trends and the future of invoicing systems. (8:14) Automating b2b software sales and invoicing. (16:02) Mid-market software, pricing, and customer strategies. (21:32) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and take part in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members also have access to our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Blake Wetzel, CEO of AuctionIQ, discusses how companies can save money on technology expenses through a reverse auction process. Blake has experience as both a CFO and CEO and explains how his financial background helps him as a CEO. He outlines how AIQ evaluates a company’s entire technology spend, identifies areas for savings, and runs a competitive bidding process to get the best price while still meeting quality requirements. Companies can typically save 40% on costs this way compared to 15% through traditional negotiations. Benefits include increased cash flow and enterprise value. The process takes 3-4 months on average. Tips for CFOs include finding an expert partner to manage the process and getting contracts and invoices organised beforehand. Blake explains that AIQ’s patented reverse auction process involves first vetting suppliers to ensure they meet the client’s technical and other requirements. AIQ sits down individually with each potential supplier to evaluate how well their solution matches what the client needs. Suppliers are given a qualitative score based on this evaluation. The suppliers that pass the threshold then participate in a live auction where they can see other suppliers’ bids and bid against each other in real-time. This competitive dynamic drives prices down further than traditional one-on-one negotiations. On average, reverse auctions yield savings of 40% compared to 15% for direct negotiations. The process aims to find the best supplier at the right price, not necessarily the lowest price bidder. https://youtu.be/coiW6ti0Ydc Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Finance Transformation Boot Camp Blake Wetzel on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Blake Wetzel (0.11) Saving cash through technology expenses with a former CFO. (2:11) Using auctions to negotiate better deals for IT services. (6:28) ERP implementation and process optimization. (13:59) Optimizing IT infrastructure spend through reverse auctions. (17:20) Procurement auctions and evaluating suppliers. (23:25) IT supplier evaluation and cost savings. (26:46) Evaluating and acquiring fintech companies. (32:49) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and take part in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members also have access to our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

This episode features Tom Schultz, author of the book “So You Want to be a Fractional CFO?”. Tom shares his story of how he accidentally got into fractional CFO work in 2006 after helping sell the company he worked for. He discusses building his business through referrals from his network and eventually forming a firm called Next Gen CFO with 18 fractional CFOs. Tom provides advice on how to build a referral network and develop fractional CFO business. He also discusses how the book came to be written to help others entering this field. The book is available on Amazon and provides guidance for those considering or new to the role of fractional CFO. Tom formed NextGen CFO in 2010 with another fractional CFO he met. They decided to combine forces to be able to handle more referrals and pass clients to each other if one was too busy. They launched with just the two of them. Another established firm was looking to enter their area, so they grew to five people to establish themselves first. Since then, they have continued growing, with 18 fractional CFOs serving around 70 clients. Forming the firm provides stability since no one person loses their whole paycheck if a client leaves, and it’s less impactful than if they were solo practitioners. https://youtu.be/NMWNlDYiPjw Links Join GrowCFO today So You Want to be a Fractional CFO? On Amazon US and UK NextGen CFO Tom Schultz on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Tom Schultz. (0:11) Becoming an accidental fractional CFO and managing multiple clients. (4:43) Fractional CFO role and relationship building. (9:46) Building a network for business development. (13:54) Building a successful fractional CFO business. (18:16) Fractional CFO roles and market demand. (22:39) Find out more about GrowCFO If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, 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. You can join GrowCFO as a free member today and take part in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members also have access to our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. Here you can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes. You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

This week on The GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby sits down with Charles Fisher, CFO of Turo, the world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace. Chuck shares the story of how Turo is disrupting the traditional car rental industry by allowing people to list, discover and book cars anywhere without owning a large fleet. He discusses his role overseeing finance and operations as Turo scales rapidly while maintaining profitability. Chuck also offers insights from his previous career in investment banking and lessons learned from the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on finance, entrepreneurship and leadership in a fast-growing tech company. Chuck also discusses Turo’s transition to a flexible remote and hybrid working model. He notes the benefits of accessing talent anywhere and the challenges of managing teams remotely. Key points include: Scheduling more intentional check-ins and meetings to prevent issues from “festering below the surface” Finding ways to connect teams who no longer interact serendipitously in offices socially The importance of in-person interactions for building culture and mentorship, especially for junior employees His efforts to regularly visit San Francisco to interact with teams directly Bringing the entire global company together twice per year to reinforce connections. https://youtu.be/afVX8At_jnA Links Join GrowCFO today GrowCFO Finance Team Training Turo Charles Fisher on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Charles Fisher (0:11) Disrupting the car rental industry with a platform offering convenience and variety. (2:53) Growth strategies for Turo. (8:44) How to prepare for an IPO. (13:41) Remote work challenges and benefits. (16:14) Hybrid work models and their impact on career development. (21:35) Becoming a CFO and leading a marketplace business. (27:19) Lessons learned from Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy and its impact on employees. (30:42) Career advice, networking, and business growth. (35:48)

Kevin Appleby introduces the 150th episode of The GrowCFO Show and looks back over the last three years of podcasting. The show has covered many topics and featured well over 100 guests. In this episode, Kevin reveals which ones have attracted the most interest from you—the listener. You might be a CFO with many years of experience or still be trying to land your first CFO role. Whichever it is, the podcast should bring something for you. We’ve covered many different personal development topics, looked at hot current issues, examined the state of the economy, and talked about how to raise finance and the impact of recent events. But which ones mattered to you? Here’s the top 12 episodes of the GrowCFO Show: Episode 132 How to Empower Your Finance Team with Myles Downey, Author Speaker and Leadership Coach Episode 142 How to Approach a Difficult Conversation with Catherine Clark, Head of Mentoring at GrowCFO Episode 91 Building Financial Models in Excel with Giles Male and Myles Arnott, Founders at Full Stack Modeller Episode 67 First 100 Days in Your New Finance Role with Dan Wells founder at GrowCFO Episode 30 CFO Competency Framework with Dan Wells Episode 102 How to Gain Control of Your Time with Laura Vanderkam, speaker and author of 168 hours. Episode 137 Subscription Pricing and Packaging with Wolter Rebergen Commercial Director at Younium Episode 123 Becoming a Transformational CFO with Yoana Land, CFO Transformation at L’Oreal North America Episode 118 Influencing Without Authority with Wassia Kamon, VP Finance & Accounting at ACM Chemistries Episode 119 How to Implement a Cashflow Forecasting system with Timothee Clement, Country Manager at Agicap Episode 101 How to Become a Great Finance Business Partner with Oliver Deacon, Former FD at Microsoft Episode 133 How to win at your next finance job interview with Susana Serrano-Davey, GrowCFO Mentor and Author https://youtu.be/R5GFzGJlFu4 Links Future CFO Programme CFO Competency Framework Finance Business Partnering Boot Camp Free workshop: Cash Flow Management Demystified: What is the alternative to spreadsheets? Myles Downey’s books on Amazon UK and USA Laura Vanderkam on Amazon UK and Amazon US Susana’s Book “I Wish I had Known” is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US

Andrew Waters is co-founder of recruitment consultants Zanda based in the UK and New York. He recruits finance leaders across Europe and the USA and understands the marketplace for finance staff. Andrew joins Kevin Appleby to discuss the state of the job market, what happened in the wake of COVID-19, the great resignation and the current economic slowdown. Summary Andrew’s key message is that while there have been job losses in the tech sector, the finance sector remains more buoyant. Andrew and Kevin discussed the differences between the US and European markets, with the US market bouncing back quickly. They also talked about the rise of part-time fractional CFOs, who are sought after by companies needing experienced strategic financing experience from CFOs earlier in their growth cycle. Andrew and Kevin discussed the importance of finding the right finance leader for a business based on its growth trajectory and specific needs. They also discussed the demand for finance transformation roles and the trend of flexible working models in the post-COVID era. Andrew and Kevin discussed the shift towards hybrid work models, with some businesses fully remote and others adopting a mix of remote and in-office work. They also touched on communication, workspace sharing, and career development challenges in a remote work environment.  They also touched on insights into the future recruitment market, the possibility of higher interest rates becoming the new norm, and the ongoing progress towards implementing hybrid work models. https://youtu.be/5wxVWbUFDX8 Links Zanda Find your next role on the GrowCFO job board Andrew Waters on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Andrew Waters. (0:11) What’s the current state of the recruitment market? (4:15) Differences between US and Europe. (7:41) Hiring a CFO early in the growth cycle. (12:46) What is the future need for finance leaders? (18:08) How flexible is the hybrid working model? (22:48) Importance of learning and development. (29

Catherine Marks, Is a finance professional with 20 years of experience. Most recently she was VP of Finance at Depop and Head of Group FP&A with Virgin Media O2. Catherine has joined GrowCFO as Finance Team Training Lead and is about to launch the inaugural GrowCFO FP&A boot camp. The FP&A boot camp provides practical training that enables finance teams to take immediate action and immediately make a difference in their work. The boot camp isn’t about teaching theory. Instead, the training is designed to empower participants to apply what they learn and make an impact in their roles. What is FP&A? FP&A stands for Financial Planning and Analysis. It is a critical function within an organization’s finance department that focuses on budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. The primary goal of FP&A is to provide insights and support to help organizations make informed financial decisions and achieve their strategic objectives. Here are some critical aspects of FP&A: Budgeting: FP&A professionals create and manage the company’s budget. This involves setting financial targets, allocating resources, and monitoring actual performance against the budget. Budgets are essential for planning and controlling expenses and revenue. Financial Forecasting: FP&A teams use historical financial data and current market trends to develop forecasts of future financial performance. These forecasts help organizations anticipate potential challenges and opportunities, allowing for proactive decision-making. Financial Analysis: FP&A professionals conduct in-depth financial analysis to assess the company’s financial health and performance. This may include analyzing key financial metrics, conducting variance analysis (comparing actual results to budgets or forecasts), and identifying trends or areas requiring improvement. Strategic Planning: FP&A plays a crucial role in the strategic planning process by providing financial insights to support the development of long-term business strategies. This includes evaluating the financial feasibility of strategic initiatives, assessing risk, and estimating the financial impact of different scenarios. Reporting: FP&A produces financial reports and presentations for senior management, board members, and other stakeholders. These reports often include financial statements, budget vs. actual performance reports, and financial dashboards that comprehensively view the company’s financial position. Decision Support: FP&A professionals collaborate with other departments to provide financial guidance and support for decision-making. This can involve analyzing the financial implications of proposed projects, investments, or cost-saving initiatives. Resource Allocation: FP&A helps allocate resources effectively by evaluating investment opportunities, cost structures, and return on investment (ROI). This ensures that resources are allocated to projects and activities that align with the company’s strategic goals. Risk Management: FP&A teams assess and mitigate financial risks by identifying potential threats to the organization’s financial stability. They may develop strategies to hedge against currency fluctuations, interest rate changes, or other financial risks. Performance Metrics: FP&A establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the success of financial strategies and operational performance. These metrics help track progress toward financial goals. Technology and Tools: FP&A professionals rely on various financial modelling tools, software, and data analytics platforms to perform their duties efficiently. These tools facilitate data analysis, scenario planning, and financial modelling. FP&A is a multifaceted function within an organization that bridges the gap between finance and strategic decision-making. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring that an organization’s financial resources are allocated wisely, financial goals are met, and the company is well-positioned for future success. Summary Catherine explained that the FP&A boot camp is focussed on addressing the challenges faced by finance teams, such as data overload and lack of actionable insights that improve business performance. The boot camp provides toolkits to improve financial storytelling, business partnering, financial modeling, and budgeting and forecasting.  Catherine and Kevin discussed the importance of the budgeting process and how it can be improved to save time and resources. They also emphasized the value of planning and the need to focus on leading indicators rather than just looking at past results.  Kevin and Catherine discussed the availability of customized FP&A training for organizations and individuals. They also mentioned the launch of an FP&A competency framework that provides personalized reports and industry benchmarking to help individuals identi

Alex Triplett, CFO/COO at Appfire, joins the GrowCFO Show to discuss hybrid working and how to make it successful. Alex shares the culture and ways of working at Appfire and how the organisation embraces hybrid working as a core value. Hybrid working for a finance function refers to a work arrangement that combines remote and in-office work for employees within the finance department of an organization. This approach allows employees to work from different locations, such as their homes or satellite offices, while also spending some time working from a central office location. Key aspects of hybrid working for a finance function include: Flexibility: Employees have the flexibility to choose where they work, whether it’s at the office, at home, or another suitable location. This flexibility can help individuals balance their work and personal lives, potentially leading to increased job satisfaction and better mental well-being. Remote Work: Employees can perform their finance-related tasks remotely, using digital tools, cloud-based platforms, and communication technologies to collaborate with colleagues, complete financial analyses, prepare reports, and engage in virtual meetings. In-Office Collaboration: While remote work is a significant component of hybrid working, employees are expected to spend some time at the office. This time is usually dedicated to collaborative activities that benefit from face-to-face interactions, such as team meetings, brainstorming sessions, training, and certain complex financial discussions. Technology and Infrastructure: Organizations must provide the necessary technological infrastructure to support remote work for their finance teams. This includes secure access to financial systems, reliable communication tools, cybersecurity measures, and access to required data and documents. Performance Measurement: Managers often focus on measuring employees’ performance based on outcomes and deliverables rather than solely on the amount of time spent in the office. This shift towards outcome-based evaluation can promote accountability and results-oriented work. Communication and Collaboration: Hybrid working relies heavily on effective communication and collaboration tools to ensure that remote and in-office employees can work seamlessly together. Video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management tools keep everyone connected and informed. Work-Life Balance: Hybrid working can provide employees with a better work-life balance, as they have more control over their schedules and can avoid lengthy commutes. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout. Employee Preferences: Employee preferences for where and how they work are considered. Some individuals may thrive in a remote environment, while others may prefer the structure and social interactions of working in the office. Challenges and Considerations: Hybrid working also comes with challenges, such as maintaining a sense of team cohesion, managing communication gaps, and ensuring remote employees have equal access to opportunities and information. In the context of the finance function, hybrid working can be particularly beneficial, as much of the work involves data analysis, report preparation, and financial modelling, which can be performed effectively using digital tools. However, it’s crucial for organizations to carefully plan and implement the hybrid work model to address potential challenges and ensure that the finance function continues to operate smoothly and efficiently. Summary Alex discussed his role as CFO and COO at AppFire, a fast-growing enterprise software company that provides next-generation apps to enhance platforms like Atlassian, Microsoft, and Salesforce. He emphasized the importance of culture and human connection in the company, which was a key factor in his decision to join. Kevin and Alex discussed the topic of making hybrid working work. Alex shared that their organization has been hybrid since its inception, emphasizing flexibility and the importance of in-person interaction through hubs and department gatherings. They also mentioned their finance team’s global locations and the efforts to have virtual and in-person meetings for collaboration and connection. Alex and Kevin discussed the flexible working approach in their organizations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and output rather than fixed working hours. They agreed that allowing employees to work remotely and integrate work with personal life leads to better productivity and work-life balance. Kevin and Alex discussed the challenges of working from home and the importance of balancing deep work and social interaction. They emphasized the need for varied meetings, regular one-on-ones, and in-person gatherings to foster collaboration and build relationships within the team. Alex and Kevin discussed the costs and benefits of hybrid work, including the savings from not having offices

Oliver Deacon is a member of the GrowCFO Mentoring team. He runs the GrowCFO Business Partnering and Finance Transformation Boot Camps and is a former FD at Microsoft. Oil joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to talk about why these boot camps deliver results for the people attending them. Boot camps don’t focus on providing training on the theory, they provide pragmatic and useful training for finance teams concentrating on the practical application of tools and techniques that deliver results. Why do boot camps provide pragmatic and useful training for finance teams? Boot camps are known for providing pragmatic and useful training due to several key factors that distinguish them from traditional education formats. Here are some reasons why boot camps tend to offer practical and applicable skills: Focused and Intensive Curriculum: Boot camps are designed with a concentrated curriculum that focuses on teaching specific skills or technologies within a short period. This intensity ensures that students are immersed in the subject matter and learn only what’s directly applicable to their goals. Hands-On Learning: Boot camps emphasize hands-on, experiential learning. Students engage in practical exercises, projects, and real-world scenarios that allow them to directly apply what they’re learning. This approach reinforces understanding and promotes the development of problem-solving skills. Project-Based Approach: Many boot camps structure their training around case studies that simulate real-world challenges. This approach encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and the application of theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems. Rapid Skill Acquisition: Boot camps condense the learning process, enabling students to acquire practical skills quickly. This is particularly valuable in rapidly evolving fields where professionals need to keep up with the latest tools and technologies. Instructors with practical Experience: Boot camp instructors typically have very relevant experience and practical expertise. This means they can provide real-world insights, share industry best practices, and offer guidance on applying theoretical concepts effectively. Networking Opportunities: Boot camps often foster a sense of community among participants. Students come from diverse backgrounds and industries, providing opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from their peers’ experiences. Summary Oli and Kevin discussed upcoming boot camps, including business partnering and finance transformation. They also discussed the need for pragmatic and useful training to help teams apply their learning. Oli and Kevin discussed the importance of practical training that enables finance teams to take immediate action and make a difference in their work. Oli shared his experience in providing training that empowers participants to apply what they learn and make an impact in their roles. Oli and Kevin discussed their business partnering book camp, which aimed to train finance professionals to become effective business partners. They emphasized the importance of influencing and slimming down information to generate real business impact and described the structure of their two-hour interactive sessions over six weeks. Oli and Kevin discussed the finance transformation boot camp and how it has evolved over time. They highlighted the need for finance teams to undergo major transformations and the lack of knowledge and tools to initiate these changes. Oli and Kevin discussed the need for a course that helps finance teams with finance transformation, including selecting software systems. They couldn’t find an existing course, so they built one themselves based on their own experiences and principles. Kevin and Oli discussed the different topics covered in their finance transformation boot camp, including software selection, strategy planning, process optimization, data analytics, and measuring key performance indicators. They emphasized the importance of getting the right data and using tools to transform and analyze it effectively. Oli and Kevin discussed the importance of change management in finance transformation. They emphasized the need to engage and involve the right people early on, address resistance to change, and empower individuals to contribute to process improvement. Oli and Kevin discussed various topics related to finance transformation, including the application of lean principles in finance processes and the need for training and guidance in areas such as forecasting and budgeting. They also mentioned upcoming boot camps on business partnering, finance transformation, and Power BI. Oli and Kevin discussed the challenges of learning and using Power BI in finance. They highlighted the need for a practical and focused course that provides the necessary steps and code to effectively utilize Power BI for financial reporting and analysis. https://youtu.be/WajSmiurzJo Links Oliver Deacon o

At some point in the next year, the interest rate hikes will likely end. After months in near-constant rate-hike-anticipation mode, CFOs will need to shift their mindset to the new rate environment and the opportunities that will open up. Bill Fink is an expert on this. A commercial banking and credit-risk executive with 30 years of experience, Bill is a frequent commentator on the economy, looking at everything from the impact of inflation and supply chain disruptions to rising unemployment rates and trade wars. His commentary has appeared in publications like MarketWatch, Treasury Today and Financial Advisory magazine, and he’s a guest lecturer at Wharton and other schools. Bill Fink is a CPA and an executive VP at TD Bank. He specialises in the middle market and is highly experienced in facilitating mergers and acquisitions. In this episode Bill joins Kevin Appleby to discuss: Ways to be opportunistic with both capital and debt Why companies need to reassess their capital investment plans While M&A activity has been reduced by increased interest rates and economic uncertainty, the M&A market may now present growth opportunities for CFOs Why this could be an opening for companies to foster a new burst of organic growth by taking a new product deeper into an existing market or even expanding into a new market Summary Bill shared his experience as a CPA and how it has been beneficial in understanding finance and assisting clients with mergers and acquisitions.. Kevin and Bill discussed the impact of interest rates on the economy, noting that the pandemic-induced initiatives and stimulus measures led to inflation in various countries. They also highlighted the significant increase in interest rates over a span of 14-15 months, which hadn’t been seen in the US for 22 years. Bill and Kevin discussed the impact of high-interest rates on profit margins and the financing market. They also mentioned that while there are challenges, there are still opportunities for strategic acquisitions and divestitures in the current environment. Bill and Kevin discussed the potential impact of AI on productivity and borrowing costs. They also mentioned that while interest rates have increased, it has created opportunities for strategic acquisitions and growth for well-positioned businesses. Bill and Kevin discussed the banking crisis and its impact on the marketplace. They concluded that while there may be occasional bank acquisitions or convergence due to liquidity issues, overall, banks are better capitalized now compared to the crisis in 2007. They emphasized the importance of liquidity management, asset-liability matching, and contingency planning in the face of changing macroeconomic factors. Kevin and Bill discussed the importance of risk management and risk-adjusted returns in finance. They emphasized the need for constantly evaluating and planning for unexpected events, highlighting the value of skills such as building risk-adjusted models and contingency planning https://youtu.be/wjprnZ4OoXA Links Mentoring at GrowCFO What’s happening? More Insights for 2023 Bill Fink on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Bill Fink (0:12) Becoming a CPA and moving into banking. (1:41) How interest rates have impacted profit margins. (6:07) Where is the opportunity for private equity? (10:35) How to look at M&A. (15:37) Borrowing costs will start to come down soon. (21:32) Opportunities that higher rates open up. (26:49) How do they look at the middle market? (30:33) Lessons learned in contingency planning. (36:01)  

Ryan Englin is based in Nashville and is the CEO at Core Matters. He also hosts the Talent Tackle Box Podcast. Ryan joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to discuss how to recruit great people by using tools and techniques that normally sit with your marketing team. Kevin and Ryan discussed the importance of having an exemplary process for recruiting and retaining staff. They emphasized the need for companies to implement a system, such as Core Matters’ CoreFit Hiring System, to automate and streamline the hiring process, allowing businesses to find and hire good people quickly. Ryan and Kevin discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed inadequacies in various industries, leading to job seekers realizing they have more control and options. They also discussed the importance of treating recruiting as a marketing activity and implementing an always-on process to attract and recruit the right people for the business. Kevin and Ryan discussed the concept of creating a bench of potential employees to fill vacancies in a company. They emphasized the importance of nurturing relationships with passive job seekers through marketing funnels so that when they are ready to make a career change, the company is already on their radar. Kevin and Ryan discussed the importance of building and managing a finance team. They emphasized the need for leaders to constantly look for great talent, spend time on team development, and focus on retention and recruitment to ensure the team’s success. Kevin and Ryan discussed the importance of finding employees who are a good fit for the company’s culture and values, as well as the need to present an attractive online presence to potential job seekers. They also emphasized the use of an applicant tracking system to automate communication and stay on top of the hiring process. Ryan and Kevin discussed various topics including onboarding, reviewing and refreshing culture, the impact of inflation on wages, cost reduction strategies, activity analysis, and the importance of delivering on promises to justify price increases. They also emphasized the need to simplify, standardize, and automate processes for efficiency and profitability. https://youtu.be/D2V2w8UqeYc Links Finance jobs at GrowCFO GrowCFO Future CFO Programme The Talent Tackle Box Podcast Ryan Englin on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Ryan Englin. (0:11) How do you teach people how to fish? (2:06) How to recruit better people? (6:44) How do we square the circle? (11:42) Passive job seekers vs. active job seekers. (14:17) Recruiting is part of who we are. (19:37) Have the right bait and the right gear. (24:28) Onboarding is about culture and people. (28:17) How to create opportunities to have a best friend at work? (33:08)

Francesco Zappala was Kevin Appleby’s guest on episode 136. Previously he spoke about his journey to CFO and how an Italian ended up setting up a company from scratch in Chile, South America. Francesco is the CFO of a major construction company. He returns to talk about dealing with a construction project that is in distress. Summary Kevin and Francesco discussed the challenges of managing projects in distress, particularly in the construction and infrastructure industry. They highlighted the importance of proactive cash flow management, monitoring warning indicators, and being prepared for unexpected events like the pandemic that can significantly impact project finances. Kevin and Francesco discussed the importance of building trust and strong partnerships with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors in order to navigate financial challenges and mitigate risks. They emphasized the need for transparent communication, fair contracts, and mutual support to ensure successful project outcomes and long-term business relationships. Francesco and Kevin discussed the importance of considering clients in a global way, managing reputation, and complying with ESG principles in the construction industry. They also highlighted the challenges faced by companies entering new markets and the need for ESG to be ingrained in the DNA of organizations. Francesco and Kevin discussed the importance of managing risks and maintaining a strong safety culture in a company. They emphasized the potential consequences of not taking responsibility for mistakes, such as financial distress, damaged reputation, and loss of clients. Francesco and Kevin discussed the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace and creating a culture of openness and partnership with clients. https://youtu.be/uJA-pftpldY Why might a construction project get into financial distress? A major construction project can end up in financial distress due to a combination of various factors. Construction projects are complex endeavours involving numerous stakeholders, significant investments, and multiple risks. Here are some common reasons why a major construction project might face financial difficulties: Cost Overruns: Unexpected expenses and cost overruns can occur due to changes in project scope, design modifications, price fluctuations in construction materials, and unforeseen site conditions. Failure to manage these costs effectively can strain the project’s budget. Delays and Time Overruns: Project delays can lead to increased labour costs, extended rental of equipment, and penalties for not meeting contractual deadlines. Time overruns can also result in lost opportunities and revenue for the project owner. Inadequate Planning and Design: Poor planning and inadequate design can lead to errors, rework, and inefficiencies during the construction process, contributing to increased costs and delays. Contractual Disputes: Disputes between project parties, such as contractors, subcontractors, and owners, can result in litigation or arbitration, leading to legal expenses and delays in project completion. Financing Challenges: Difficulty in securing adequate and timely financing can lead to cash flow issues, hindering progress and causing financial strain on the project. Insufficient Risk Management: Failure to identify and manage potential risks, such as weather-related disruptions, labour shortages, or supply chain issues, can lead to unexpected financial burdens. Inadequate Project Management: Poor project management practices, including inefficient scheduling, lack of communication, and inadequate coordination among stakeholders, can result in project inefficiencies and increased costs. Change Orders and Scope Creep: Frequent changes to project scope can disrupt the construction process, increase costs, and delay completion. Economic Downturns: Economic downturns can impact the demand for construction projects, leading to reduced revenues and lower profitability. Environmental or Regulatory Issues: Unforeseen environmental or regulatory challenges may require costly remediation efforts or modifications to comply with legal requirements. Subcontractor Default: If a subcontractor defaults or goes out of business, it can cause delays and additional costs to find replacement contractors. Poor Financial Management: Inadequate financial management, including inaccurate budgeting, cash flow mismanagement, or improper accounting practices, can lead to financial difficulties. Natural Disasters and Force Majeure Events: Natural disasters or force majeure events can cause significant damage to the construction site, resulting in additional expenses and delays. To mitigate the risk of financial distress in major construction projects, careful planning, risk assessment, effective project management, and contingency planning are essential. Engaging experienced and reputable contractors, architects, and project managers can also enhance the project’s chan

Catherine Clark is head of mentoring at GrowCFO. She frequently supports her mentees when they need to have a difficult conversation. Difficult conversations can take place for a variety of reasons, In this episode Kevin and Catherine discuss the challenges of a difficult conversation and why you shouldn’t avoid such conversations. They highlighted that a difficult conversation can cause anxiety and stress, but approaching it with curiosity and open questions can lead to better understanding and resolution. It’s possible you could be either the instigator or the recipient of the conversation, and Catherine and Kevin explore both positions and provide some great guidance that you can follow in whichever role you find yourself in. Catherine and Kevin discuss the importance of having difficult conversations and how to approach them. They emphasise the need to believe in a positive outcome, understand differing viewpoints, acknowledge emotions, and maintain empathy and open communication. They discuss the need for open communication, avoiding knee-jerk reactions, finding the right time and environment, and being specific in order to prevent misunderstandings and maintain productivity. Kevin and Catherine discuss the importance of providing constructive feedback. They emphasize the need for open communication, timeliness, creating a conducive environment, and being willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations for personal and professional growth. https://youtu.be/ZUqEbx_3N1k Links Mentoring at GrowCFO with Catherine Clark Catherine Clark on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Susan Jeffers – Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway: How to Turn Your Fear and Indecision into Confidence and Action on Amazon UK and Amazon US Timestamps What’s a difficult conversation? (0:11) What’s going on in our brains to make difficult conversations feel like difficult things to talk about? (1:46) How to have difficult conversations with people. (4:00) You can choose how you behave and how you show up. (8:37) How do we see ourselves in these difficult conversations? (11:12) What to do if you’re upset about something. (16:17) Avoid written response, make it a spoken response. (18:14) How do we deal with difficult conversations as the recipient? (19:59) If you’re instigating the conversation. (23:26) How do you conduct difficult conversations online? (25:43)

Edmund Zagorin joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show. Edmund is CSO of Arkestro. Arkestro helps your team make buying decisions, faster, and at scale using Predictive Procurement Orchestration Kevin and Edmund explore anchor bias and consider how CFOs can help their procurement teams avoid anchor bias and use predictive modelling to make better buying decisions. https://youtu.be/5kV-IWd3fAU Anchor Bias and Predictive Modelling Anchor bias, also known as anchoring bias, is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency for individuals to rely heavily on an initial piece of information (the “anchor”) when making decisions. In the context of procurement, anchor bias can significantly impact the effectiveness of predictive modelling. Predictive modelling in procurement uses historical data and statistical algorithms to forecast future outcomes. However, if the initial data or ‘anchor’ used in the model is biased or inaccurate, it can skew all subsequent predictions, leading to flawed decision-making and potentially costly mistakes. There are two main types of anchor bias: self-generated and externally provided. Self-generated anchor bias occurs when the individual creates the anchor based on their own knowledge or assumptions. Externally provided anchor bias, on the other hand, is when the anchor is provided by an outside source, such as a vendor’s initial price quote. For example, if a procurement professional uses the cost of a previous contract as an anchor when forecasting future costs, they might ignore changes in market conditions, material costs, or supplier capabilities that could lead to higher or lower costs. This could result in budget overruns or missed opportunities for savings. Similarly, if a supplier’s initial price quote is used as an anchor, it could influence the procurement professional’s perception of what is a reasonable price, potentially leading to overpayment. How to Mitigate Anchor Bias in Predictive Modelling To mitigate anchor bias in predictive modelling, procurement professionals should consider the following strategies: Use Multiple Data Points: Instead of relying on a single piece of information, use multiple data points to create a more accurate prediction. This could include data from different suppliers, contracts, or time periods. Challenge Assumptions: Regularly question and validate the assumptions that underlie your predictive models. This can help identify any potential biases and correct them before they impact your forecasts. Seek Diverse Opinions: Consult with colleagues or industry experts to get different perspectives. They might provide additional insights that can help adjust your anchor. Train and Educate: Provide training and education on cognitive biases for procurement staff. Understanding these biases can help individuals recognize and mitigate them in their own decision-making processes. While anchor bias can pose a significant challenge in predictive modelling for procurement, it can be mitigated through awareness, careful data analysis, and ongoing validation of assumptions. By doing so, procurement professionals can make more accurate predictions and better decisions. Edmund shared his procurement, strategic sourcing, and data science background, and discussed the importance of collaboration with business stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for all parties involved. Edmund and Kevin discussed anchor bias in procurement negotiations and how the use of predictive models can help avoid it. They also talked about the impact of first offers on price variance and the asymmetry in technology and data between buyers and sellers. Edmund and Kevin discussed how predictive models powered by AI can enable procurement and finance teams to negotiate with suppliers more effectively by using behavioural analysis instead of traditional cost or value frameworks. They also talked about the challenges in the relationship between procurement and finance, including the need for predictable savings and understanding which categories are strategic. Edmund and Kevin discussed the flaws of the traditional procurement process and proposed the use of predictive models to determine the most preferred supplier before the procurement process even begins. They also questioned the effectiveness of the weighted matrix system and debated whether both parties should feel like winners after a negotiation. Edmund and Kevin discussed the benefits of using predictive modelling in procurement and the importance of considering the emotions and psychology of supplier interactions. They also emphasized the need to measure the right KPIs and avoid incentivizing the wrong behaviour in procurement teams. Links GrowCFO finance team training GrowCFO Quests Mentoring at GrowCFO Edmund Zagorin on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introduction to today’s show. (0:11) What does Arkestro do and how does it help organisations with procurement? (1:30)

Dr Shan Nair is an entrepreneur and consultant on international expansion. He was the first to spot and develop the niche market of International Expansion Services (IES) which was previously fragmented. In the process, he has worked with many early-stage companies that have since become household names such as Tesla Motors, FaceTime and Sonus Networks. His role is to promote the services offered by Nucleus, a one-stop organization for U.S- based companies who wish to expand globally. Shan has a doctorate in nuclear physics from the University of Oxford. He has received multiple recognitions for his contribution to US, UK and Indian business. During August GrowCFO will be running a quest to help premium members plan the opening of an overseas office. For many, the overseas office is the first step on the ladder to international expansion. Shan and Kevin discussed the reasons for international expansion during difficult market conditions. They highlighted factors such as cost-saving opportunities, availability of skilled labour in certain regions, and the importance of considering government incentives and ease of doing business when choosing a country for expansion. Shan and Kevin discussed the challenges of expanding a fintech company globally, including the need for expert help in navigating legal, accounting, tax, and HR compliance requirements. They emphasized the importance of adequate budget, thorough research, and understanding the specific regulations and liabilities in each target market. Shan and Kevin discussed the expansion of Chinese companies into Europe and the reasons behind their reluctance to expand into the United States. They also touched on the challenges of operating in China, such as poor IP protection. Kevin and Shan discussed their experiences in the energy sector, including the challenges of privatizing nuclear power and the issues with ageing coal-fired power stations. They also touched on the financial and technical aspects of their work, such as calculating liabilities and reducing emissions. https://youtu.be/u73FGRZBQXo Links GrowCFO finance team training GrowCFO Quests Mentoring at GrowCFO Dr Shan Nair on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps What makes you an expert in international expansion? (0:11) Why is now a good time to expand? (1:43) Why companies are looking at other countries, particularly Eastern Europe, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia? (5:13) Why are you looking at people that might want your services in Spanish elsewhere? (8:42) What’s the main issue with expanding into other countries? (10:06) What are some of the tax compliance requirements that you need to be aware of? (12:58) What are the five things you’re most likely to get wrong when starting a business? (16:40) Common places that companies in the US and Europe want to expand. (20:39) Why are Chinese companies looking to expand in Europe more than in the US? (23:41)

Dan DeGolier joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO Show to discuss the provision of fractional CFO Services. Dan is the founder at Ascent CFO Solutions. He discussed his background and career journey, including his experience in public accounting and working with venture-backed companies. He describes how his firm, Ascent CFO Solutions, has grown to include a team of 38 professionals who provide various financial services to clients, including capital raising and outsourced accounting. Dan and Kevin discussed the challenges faced by companies in terms of fundraising, cash conservation, and revenue growth. They also talked about the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on their work, with Dan expressing cautious optimism about leveraging AI to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Kevin and Dan discussed the implementation of automation in finance, explicitly using tools like Power BI to create customized dashboards for clients. They also emphasized the importance of understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) and cash flow management for businesses of different sizes. Dan and Kevin discussed the importance of planning for a potential business exit and the benefits of working for a CFO firm. They emphasized the need for a thorough understanding of a company during the onboarding process and the ability to provide flexible and varied experiences for professionals. In the conversation, Kevin and Dan discuss the importance of communication and time management skills in client interactions. They also mention the need for a diverse background and the use of screening tools like the CVI to find the right fit for the role of CFO. https://youtu.be/VbslboMHIkk Links GrowCFO finance team training GrowCFO Quests Mentoring at GrowCFO Dan DeGolier on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Welcome to the show, Kevin Appleby. (0:12) Fractional CFO vs. full-time CFOs. (2:48) How chatbots are changing the way we write. (8:17) What are some of the biggest trends that Dan is seeing in the industry? (12:03) How do you determine which data bits are the most important? (14:59) Why you need to have investors in your business. (18:37) Working with multiple CFOs and companies. (21:52) How do you onboard people in multiple roles into numerous clients? (26:42) How do you avoid making those mistakes because they could be very expensive? (31:14)

GrowCFO mentor Susana Serrano-Davey joins Kevin Appleby to discuss fear. Fear often holds you back from achieving your potential and can limit your career development. Fear is almost entirely self-generated and is therefore completely within your control. But how do you face your fears and take that control? In this episode, Susana and Kevin discuss facing fears, including common workplace fears such as fear of being fired, fear of making mistakes, and fear of ridicule. Susana shared her personal experience of overcoming her fear of scuba diving and how facing fears can unlock opportunities. Kevin and Susana conclude the episode by providing strategies to help you face your fears. Susana and Kevin discussed the common fears that hold people back in their careers, such as: the fear of ridicule, the fear of making mistakes and the fear of losing one’s job. They emphasized the importance of facing and challenging these fears to grow as a leader. You must acknowledge and overcome these fears to reach your full potential. As a finance leader, you may feel the pressure to have all the answers. When you are new to a role you might suffer from a lack of confidence and impostor syndrome. In each case, it is essential you reframe these fears and acknowledge that it’s okay to not have all the answers and that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Kevin and Susana concluded by discussing strategies for overcoming fear, including managing internal dialogue and supporting oneself. https://youtu.be/_Y6k0sF__DE Links Susana’s Book “I Wish I Had Known” is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US Find your next role on the GrowCFO job board Mentoring at GrowCFO with Susana Serrano-Davey Susana Serrano-Davey on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Today’s topic: face your fears. (0:12) What does fear have to do with finance? (3:33) The fear of ridicule and the fear of presenting. (8:06) The fear of losing your job and how to overcome it. (13:02) The fear of making mistakes is a game-changer. (19:18) The more senior you are, the greater the pressure is to have to produce the answer. (26:03) There’s one single strategy that works with fear. (30:54) The fear of ridicule and volunteering. (35:12)

Wolter Rebergen, Commercial Director at Younium joins Kevin Appleby on this week’s GrowCFO Show. Together they take a look at the latest developments in subscription pricing for a SAAS business and what this means for the finance leader. They discuss subscription models, including pricing and packaging. They also talked about challenges such as revenue recognition and the potential benefits of user-based pricing. Kevin and Wolter discussed the evolution of subscription pricing models for SaaS and tech companies, including the trend towards usage-based models. They also noted the impact of economic downturns on customer behaviour and the shift towards pay-as-you-go models. Kevin and Wolter discussed the benefits and challenges of a pay-as-you-go pricing model, including the need for accurate revenue forecasting based on customer usage and the potential impact on sales commissions. They also explored the importance of customer retention and engagement in maximizing use and minimizing churn. Wolter and Kevin discussed setting prices for a subscription-based service by analyzing the leader, filler, and killer products. They also talked about the importance of tracking usage and customizing pricing for customers, as well as the need for tools to manage subscriptions and recognize different types of revenue. Kevin and Wolter discussed the benefits of variable pricing in the SaaS industry, including usage-based and role-based pricing. They also talked about the importance of adapting pricing models as businesses grow and change. https://youtu.be/7AeGHnHTXXg Links GrowCFO finance team training GrowCFO Quests Mentoring at GrowCFO Wolter Rebergen on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps What is a subscription pricing business? (0:12) How subscription models can get complicated quickly. (3:17) How do you know if you’re doing a cost reduction? (9:04) What is a real booking-based financial metrics? (11:23) What is a subscription? What is the commission? (14:54) How would you set the price for your leader products? (17:06) What is a tool to manage the subscription? (21:23) How are we going to make that estimated recurring revenue from usage count in the multiplier? (23:04) Value-based pricing is one of the most common use cases. (27:36)

Francesco Zappala is CFO Chile for Italian construction giant Impresa Pizzarotti. His c.v. includes KPMG and Harvard Business School and an impressive career in corporate finance. He joins Kevin Appleby in this episode of the GrowCFO show to discuss his journey and how he became the finance lead and helped Impresa Pizzarotti build a brand new business in South America. Francesco talked about his journey in building a career in financial services internationally, starting from a trip to the States with his dad when he was 14 or 15 years old, studying in different universities in Spain, having an internship in Madrid, working in a consulting company in Italy, and being offered to go to Turkey for a professional experience, which led him to South America and eventually becoming a divisional CFO in Chile. Francesco discussed his experience working for Impresa Pizzarotti, a global general contractor, and the challenges he faced working in different regions such as South America and adapting to different cultures and management techniques. He also talked about the company’s focus on big construction and infrastructure projects, as well as their move towards renewable energy and technology. Francesco discussed his background in financial services and how it translates to his current role as CFO for a general contractor in Chile. He also talked about the challenges and growth of the organization, and his involvement in various aspects of the business including finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, tax and legal, internal audit, human resources, general services, and IT. Francesco discussed his role in a company project, from finding the right partner to dealing with financial distress situations. He also talked about the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic and the importance of working closely with clients to ensure project success. Kevin and Francesco discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry and the importance of staying humble and getting the job done. They also talked about the possibility of discussing turning around a distressed project in a future conversation. https://youtu.be/V0_xEBJPqnk Links GrowCFO Future CFO Programme Francesco Zappala on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introduction to today’s guest. (0:11) What is the most difficult part of moving from region to region? (1:55) The challenges of working in Chile. (5:55) What exactly does Impresa Pizzarotti do? (8:40) How does that translate into what he’s doing now? (12:57) How to bring the best practices from the finance industry to the corporate world. (14:47) How big was the organisation in Chile when you joined? (19:19) How involved do you get in individual construction projects? (21:19) What is the credit cycle like at Impresa Pizzarotti? (25:40) Francesco’s advice for a younger version of himself. (28:15)

Peter Mckenzie is The C-Suite Coach. He helps busy senior leaders regain energy and focus, increase impact and reach peak performance. Peter is the latest member of the GrowCFO mentoring team. Based in Barcelona Spain, Peter is the general manager of Anticipa Real Estate. He joins Kevin Appleby on the GrowCFO show. Peter discussed his background in finance and how he transitioned to general management and became a coach and keynote speaker. Peter worked in auditing for three years before taking a sabbatical to learn Spanish and become an English teacher in Spain. He later returned to the finance world, working for Citi Group for 20 years and touching various businesses before joining GrowCFO. Peter discussed his experience as a CFO in the financial sector, including his involvement in mergers and acquisitions. He also talked about his journey in public speaking and how it is an important skill for CFOs to have in order to effectively lead and influence their teams and organizations.29:24 Peter and Kevin discussed the importance of resilience, courage, and grit for CFOs, especially during challenging times. Peter also shared his experience of transitioning from a CFO role to a general manager role, highlighting the value of gaining experience outside of finance. https://youtu.be/Xykjf9gy998 Links Mentoring at GrowCFO Peter McKenzie’s Mentoring Bio Peter McKenzie on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Peter McKenzie (0:11) How Peter ended up in Spain. (2:03) How he got started in the financial industry. (4:17) Peter’s background with Coopers & Lybrand and PwC. (6:36) The post-merger integration process. (8:49) Peter’s story of how he learned to love speaking in public. (10:36) The importance of public speaking for CFOs. (13:04) Resilience is a requirement to have the drive and the courage to make mistakes. (15:39) Getting comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. (18:20) The moment you’re not doing a CFO role, are you doing a general manager role? (20:14)

https://youtu.be/ZqK7OdaLnE8 Isaac Strulowitz is the CFO of CoVenture. Isaac joins Kevin Appleby on this episode of the GrowCFO Show to talk about how Isaac and his team at CoVenture were affected by the recent banking crisis and the things they put in place to manage the financial risks they were presented with. Their approach to risk management in general has changed as a result, and Isaac provides some great advice on managing risk for other finance leaders to take note of. Summary Isaac talked about his career path and how he became a CFO. He also discussed the challenges he faced in his new role and how he learned along the way. Isaac discussed the rapid growth of CoVenture from its early stages to a team of 28 full-time equivalents. He emphasized the importance of competence, humility, and empathy in his leadership style and acknowledged the need to bring on individuals with complementary skill sets as the team grows. Isaac discussed how CoVenture was well-prepared for the banking crisis in mid-March and how they have since focused on risk management and diversification. He advised other CFOs to identify vulnerabilities in their business models and devise plans to mitigate them, while also being mindful of the impact of AI and the current credit crunch. Kevin and Isaac discussed the impact of the current crisis on the FinTech industry, the importance of cash flow, and the skills needed to become a successful CFO, including a strong foundation in accounting and the ability to weave together a narrative backed by numbers. They also discussed the need for operational conservatism and the importance of striking a balance between inhibiting growth and preparing for the worst. Kevin and Isaac discussed how working remotely during COVID initially allowed for more productivity, but as the team grew, it became harder to maintain that level of productivity and communication. Isaac shared how he found quiet pockets of time during the day to do his best work and how CoVenture is trying to figure out the best hybrid model for their team. Links GrowCFO finance team training GrowCFO Quests Mentoring at GrowCFO  Isaac Strulowitz on LinkedIn Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn Timestamps Introducing Isaac Strulowitz, co-founder of Co Venture. (0:11) The culture shock of becoming a CFO of a startup. (2:56) How did you get started in venture capital? (5:27) How he’s picked up the leadership skills to manage a rapidly growing team. (7:57) What’s going on in the banking sector right now. (11:13) Diversification and risk management as a lesson learned. (13:26) How often do you think you should be reviewing the risk register? (16:35) Cash is king more than ever before. (19:03) What would you be advising to aspiring CFOs? (21:16) How have you managed to maintain your thinking time? (23:53)