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Run the Numbers

Tales of Cash Conversion Cycle Greatness with CJ Gustafson

Jul 29, 2024
CJ Gustafson, an expert in cash conversion cycles, shares his career insights and real-life success stories. He discusses optimizing cash flow, revealing how he reduced Days Sales Outstanding from 55 to 37 days. Using examples from companies like Starbucks and Chewy, he highlights innovative cash management strategies, including influencer marketing and gift card systems. CJ also delves into dynamic pricing tactics in the aviation industry, showcasing how these methods can drive business growth and improve financial agility.
32:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • CJ Gustafson shares that improving accounts receivable through shorter payment terms can lead to significant cash flow enhancements.
  • Starbucks demonstrates the financial advantages of utilizing gift cards, effectively converting pre-payments into interest-free cash for operational flexibility.

Deep dives

Starbucks and the Power of Gift Cards

Starbucks exemplifies excellent cash management through its gift card program, which holds approximately $1.5 billion in stored value. This allows customers to pre-pay for coffee, averaging eight days in advance, effectively providing the company with interest-free cash. In contrast, Starbucks has only about $881 million in accounts receivable, showcasing its efficient cash flow strategy. The unredeemed balances from gift cards, also referred to as breakage, contribute an additional $155 million to Starbucks' revenue each year, enhancing its financial position.

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