The Free to Grow CFO Podcast Why an IMS May Not Fix Your Finance-Ops Disconnect
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Free to Grow CFO podcast, Jon Blair and Arjun Aggarwal discuss the challenges faced by DTC brands in managing inventory and landed costs amidst current market fluctuations. Arjun shares his journey from finance to founding Mandrel, an AI-powered inventory automation platform. The conversation delves into the importance of accurate inventory valuation, the interdependence of finance and operations, and the differences between ERP and IMS systems. They highlight how Mandrel aims to automate inventory workflows, providing real-time tracking and reporting capabilities to help brands save time and improve their financial health.
Key Takeaways
-The connection between finance and operations is crucial for accurate inventory management.
-Many brands struggle with tracking inventory valuation due to fragmented data sources.
-Real-time tracking of inventory helps brands respond to market changes quickly.
Episode Links
Jon Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-albert-blair/
Arjun Aggarwal- https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjun-aggarwal-18049436/
Free to Grow CFO - https://freetogrowcfo.com/
Mandrel - https://www.mandrel.tech/
Transcript
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00:00 Introduction
02:52 Arjun's Journey and the Birth of Mandrel
06:12 Understanding Landed Costs and Their Importance
08:54 The Interdependence of Finance and Operations
12:12 Challenges in Inventory Valuation
14:55 ERP vs. IMS: Understanding the Differences
17:55 The Role of Mandrel in Inventory Automation
23:50 The Importance of User Compliance in Inventory Management
26:01 Automating Inventory Tracking and Cost Management
29:11 Integrating Email and Document Management for Inventory
32:38 Building a Comprehensive Inventory Ledger
35:59 Understanding Costs and Inventory Movement
38:00 Maximizing Efficiency with Mandrel