Run the Numbers

Lucas Swisher, Co-Lead of Growth Investing and Software Investing at Coatue, shares valuable insights from one of tech's top investment firms. He discusses Coatue's evolution from hedge fund to venture capital powerhouse and their unique approach to balancing short-term and long-term investments. Lucas highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making using their Mosaic platform, and stresses the significance of evaluating sustainability in software companies. He also reveals the red flags investors often overlook and the qualities to look for in growth stage partners.

Mark McCaffrey, the CFO of GoDaddy, joins CJ to talk about the evolution of one of the most recognizable brands on the internet from domain registration to a full-service platform for small businesses. Mark sheds light on GoDaddy’s role in the entrepreneurial micro-startup ecosystem and how, after 21 years, GoDaddy has grown to 21 million customers. He describes the trends he’s identified in the formation of micro businesses, their adoption of AI, their survival rates, and why churn caused by failing small businesses doesn’t affect GoDaddy as much as you think it would. He also talks about the metrics that matter, what he tracks, what he discloses, and how he uses this to pursue customers with intent. He also explains how to not lose sight of the micro when the macro is so big, and lists the two things every company in the tech industry needs to do to achieve long-term success. Spoiler: one has to do with customer relationships.If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Brex makes it easy to control spend before it happens, automate annoying tasks, and optimize your finances. Find out how Brex can help you make every dollar count at brex.com/metrics.Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. It doesn’t just show you where the problems are—it helps you solve them. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities, like duplicative spend, to automating those painful procurement workflows, to giving you the best market data that turns every vendor negotiation in your favor. Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn how.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.RightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. Whether it's multi-element arrangements, subscription renewals, or complex usage-based contracts, RightRev takes care of it all. That means fewer spreadsheets, fewer errors, and more time for your team to focus on growth. For modern revenue recognition simplified, visit rightrev.com and schedule a demo.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(01:54) Sponsor – Planful | Brex | Vanta(06:16) GoDaddy and the Entrepreneurial Micro-Startup Ecosystem(07:40) The Origins of the GoDaddy Name(09:08) GoDaddy’s Business Model and its Evolution(11:45) The Strategic High Ground of Starting with the Domain(12:58) Definition of a Micro-Business(15:32) Sponsor – Tropic | NetSuite | RightRev(19:15) The Mostly Metrics Domain Name(21:50) Unsuccessful Businesses and Churn at GoDaddy(27:07) Surprises from GoDaddy’s Data(29:20) Customer Trends in Openness to AI(30:45) Determining Which Metrics Matter and Which to Disclose(34:31) Pursuing Customers with Intent(35:44) When and How Mark Introduces a New Metric(38:25) ARR Versus Bookings(39:25) Retention Trends(41:06) Two Things to Do in the Tech Industry for Long-Term Success(45:47) How the Power of Relationships Led Mark to GoDaddy(49:08) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Excel Spreadsheets(49:44) Three Rules for Every Young Professional(51:02) Finance Software Stack(52:11) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

Discover the wild journey of a former CFO turned CEO, exploring personal accountability and growth. Learn about the challenges faced while losing $209,640 in a startup venture. Hear hilarious anecdotes from their evolution as a writer, shaping identity and relationships along the way. Uncover the blend of creativity and entrepreneurship, including tactical insights on gaining 50,000 subscribers. Plus, get a sneak peek into business monetization strategies and the unique path of starting a podcast.

Ambereen Toubassy, the CFO of Airtable, has experience as an advisor, an investor, and an operator. In this episode, she joins CJ to talk about how this experience informs her role as a CFO. The two delve into the complexities of navigating investor feedback and how to take criticism without getting defensive. They also discuss how to build the right advisory network, red flags to watch for, and the importance of scaffolding your weaknesses with external expertise. The episode also highlights the value of specificity in the role of a finance leader. Ambereen shares insights from her extensive career, including her time at Quibi, explaining what she learned from this moonshot idea that didn’t work out as hoped and her approach to balancing fiduciary duties with the human side of leadership.If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Brex makes it easy to control spend before it happens, automate annoying tasks, and optimize your finances. Find out how Brex can help you make every dollar count at brex.com/metrics.Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. It doesn’t just show you where the problems are—it helps you solve them. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities, like duplicative spend, to automating those painful procurement workflows, to giving you the best market data that turns every vendor negotiation in your favor. Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn howMUFG is the largest bank in Japan and a global banking powerhouse with a focus on empowering Growth and Middle Market stage companies in North America and Europe. MUFG provides comprehensive banking services for VC-backed, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues starting at $40M. The bank combines its global capabilities with deep operational understanding to help companies accelerate their growth trajectory. Contact group head Bob Blee at bblee@us.mufg.jp to find out more.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.RightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. Whether it's multi-element arrangements, subscription renewals, or complex usage-based contracts, RightRev takes care of it all. That means fewer spreadsheets, fewer errors, and more time for your team to focus on growth. For modern revenue recognition simplified, visit rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:25) Sponsor – Brex | Vanta | Tropic(06:55) What Ambereen Has Learned from Being an Investor(10:53) Dealing with Investor Feedback(18:09) Sponsor – MUFG | NetSuite | RightRev | Planful(22:54) Tips for Not Taking Feedback Personally(24:12) When to Bring Founders into Meetings with Investors(25:52) Scaffolding Your Weaknesses(30:59) Whether or Not to Pay More for Great Advisors(34:12) How to Identify the Right Banker or Consultant(35:13) Banker and Consultant Red Flags to Watch Out For(39:11) “In the Particular Is Contained the Universal”(42:42) How the Specific Plays a Role in the Job of a Finance Leader(46:46) Quibi, the Moonshot Idea That Didn’t Land as Planned(50:16) Fiduciary Responsibility When Things Don’t Go as Planned(55:00) Long-Ass Lightning Round: A Career Mistake(55:48) Advice to Younger Self(57:14) Finance Software Stack(58:26) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

In this episode, Dashlane’s David Lapter, a five-time CFO, joins CJ to discuss the challenges of steering high-growth companies. He breaks down the common blind spots that CFOs face, why many double down on their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, and how the Eisenhower Matrix helped him tackle his own gaps. David also gives his take on competitors and his philosophy of differentiating your org from theirs without demonizing them, as well as how they can be used for motivation. David shares insights on building high-functioning teams, when teams should move from overlapping responsibilities to more defined roles, how to simplify your OKRs to be more effective, and the nature of the ideal HR-CFO relationship. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for finance leaders navigating the complexities of high-growth environments.If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. It doesn’t just show you where the problems are—it helps you solve them. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities, like duplicative spend, to automating those painful procurement workflows, to giving you the best market data that turns every vendor negotiation in your favor. Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn howNetSuite 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.RightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. Whether it's multi-element arrangements, subscription renewals, or complex usage-based contracts, RightRev takes care of it all. That means fewer spreadsheets, fewer errors, and more time for your team to focus on growth. For modern revenue recognition simplified, visit rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Brex makes it easy to control spend before it happens, automate annoying tasks, and optimize your finances. Find out how Brex can help you make every dollar count at brex.com/metrics.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(01:52) Sponsor – Vanta | Tropic | Netsuite(06:18) Identifying Blind Spots(10:44) Hiring to Fill Your Blind Spots(14:21) The Eisenhower Matrix and Prioritising Your Blind Spots(17:15) Sponsor – RightRev | Planful | Brex(20:58) The Traps of Execution Mode Syndrome(26:37) David’s Philosophy on Speaking About Competitors(31:09) Tips for Communicating How You’re Differentiated(33:02) How Competitors Can Motivate Teams(39:46) When to Move from Overlapping Responsibilities to More Defined Roles(46:50) Simplifying OKRs(52:16) The Urge to Copy the Goal Setting of Other Companies(54:56) Should HR Report to the CFO?(57:57) Long-Ass Lightning Round: A VAT Mistake(01:00:21) Advice to Younger Self(01:03:32) Finance Software Stack(01:06:14) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

Dive into the fascinating world of CoreWeave as the discussion unpacks their recent IPO filing. Discover their unique business model riding the wave of GPU demand, as well as the possibility of becoming a competitive giant in the cloud sector. Analyze their financial metrics, including improving net loss margins and the impact of insider investments. Explore contrasting views on their market potential, from bullish optimism to cautious skepticism surrounding their long-term viability. The stakes are high, and the future looks intriguing!

Hanan Aharoni, CFO of Operative, dives into the world of operational excellence and private equity. He discusses how clear organizational structures and a unified leadership team are crucial for successful acquisitions. Hanan emphasizes the role of culture in mergers and the importance of timely financial data for strategic decision-making. He explores balancing cost efficiency with innovation and shares insights on addressing operational inefficiencies. From managing debt to preparing for exits, his expertise offers a masterclass in optimizing private equity operations.

Abdullah Tahboub, CFO of Foodics, transitioned from a high-profile corporate role in telecom to a nimble startup in Saudi Arabia. He shares insights on the stark differences between corporate and startup cultures, emphasizing the thrill of adaptability and collaboration. Abdullah discusses the rapid digital transformation in the Middle Eastern food sector, detailing how Foodics evolved from basic cashier systems to a comprehensive fintech solution. He highlights the importance of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 in fostering entrepreneurial growth and innovation in the region.

Explore the dynamic shifts in the private tech markets as valuations soar and hiring trends evolve. Delve into the standout performances in security, HR, and legal tech, spotlighting companies achieving impressive growth. Discover the latest funding successes and executive changes that hint at future market directions. The rise of AI companies and the impact of recent layoffs provide a backdrop to these trends, keeping audiences informed about the pre-IPO landscape.

Jim Cook, co-founder of Netflix and former CFO of Mozilla, discusses the evolving landscape of CFO roles. He emphasizes the shift from traditional scorekeeping to strategic influence, urging finance leaders to prioritize transparency and authenticity. Cook shares insights on the potential elimination of separate COO and CFO roles, warning against the pitfalls of 'fake it till you make it.' He highlights how modern CFOs must embrace AI technology, collaboration, and effective storytelling to adapt and succeed in their pivotal roles.