Navigating CFO and COO Roles

This chapter examines the overlapping responsibilities and distinct functions of CFOs and COOs, particularly in early-stage B2B SaaS companies. It discusses how these roles evolve as companies grow, especially during critical funding stages, and the decision-making process for founders when hiring. The conversation highlights the strategic and operational perspectives each role brings, along with the dynamics of title significance and expectations within organizations.

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What's the real difference between a CFO and a COO? Can you do both roles simultaneously? And which title is more desirable from a career perspective? Today’s guest, Colin Sims, who is currently the CFO of Hunters but has held both titles multiple times, joins CJ to answer these questions and to talk about channel sales. They discuss what it takes to build a successful channel sales model and how companies need to “feed the channels" before expecting them to feed the company in return. You’ll hear about winning sales motions, what to look for in a CRO, and why transparency trumps democracy when it comes to business decisions.

If you're looking for an ERP, head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning.

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SPONSORS:

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NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 40,000 companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform, head to NetSuite https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning.

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LINKS:

Colin Sims: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjsims/

Hunters:

https://www.hunters.security/

CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222

Mostly metrics:

http://mostlymetrics.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Preview and Intro

(02:35) Sponsor – Planful | Subscript | Rippling Spend