Run the Numbers

Steve Isom, CFO of Bloomerang, dives into the evolving role of the strategic CFO. He emphasizes the vital connection between finance and people, reminding us that finance shouldn't just be a math problem. Discussing the importance of proactive leadership, he shares insights on effectively bridging gaps between metrics and human interaction. Steve also recounts his rapid transaction readiness during Flywheel's unexpected acquisition. Plus, he offers stellar advice on building a dynamic finance team and fostering collaboration across departments.

Ross Grainger, CFO of Paradox, shares his unconventional career journey and emphasizes the importance of work-life integration over balance. He explains why the corporate ladder resembles a jungle gym, highlighting the value of lateral moves for career advancement. Grainger discusses the need for strong relationships across departments, particularly in finance, and shares his skepticism towards annual planning, advocating for dynamic financial strategies. His insights on expanding internationally and investing in team relationships provide a fresh perspective for tech companies.

Will Cureton, CFO of Nitrogen Wealth, shares his expertise in customer retention from a wealth management software perspective. He discusses how a major price increase misstep prompted a reassessment of growth strategies, exploring total addressable market and sustainable business lines. Will reveals key metrics for predicting churn and formulates a churn score essential for retaining customers. He also delves into the innovative risk tolerance features of their platform that enhance client engagement while navigating the complexities of today’s market.

Alyssa Shadinger, CFO of Sisense and a leader in analytics, shares her insights on building effective analytics teams and mastering OKRs. She discusses optimal team structures and the significance of data governance for accurate reporting. Alyssa dives into the challenges of linking OKRs to financial outcomes and the necessity of collaboration across departments. The conversation also touches on empowering teams through business intelligence while maintaining the balance of self-service and oversight. An enlightening discussion for anyone in finance or data analytics!

Rebeca Sanchez Sarmiento, CFO of Dotmatics and a pro in managing operational complexity, shares her wealth of experience with mergers and acquisitions. She reveals strategies for overseeing 16 P&Ls while striking the right balance between autonomy and integration. The talk dives into her forecasting frameworks and whether to embrace an 80/20 approach. Plus, Rebeca opens up about her career journey, the shift to remote work, and how these elements shape contemporary financial leadership.

Samarth Mital, Senior Director of Global Sales Strategy at Rubrik, shares insights from his journey as the company grew from $70 million to $1 billion in ARR. He discusses creating effective sales pipelines and the intricacies of territory design. Hear about the importance of accountability forums for pipeline inspection and how to optimize compensation plans to align with company objectives. Samarth also emphasizes the significance of a customer-first approach in managing renewals and the proactive strategies to tackle quota challenges within sales teams.

Curt Sigfstead, CFO of Clio and expert in stock-based compensation, shares his insights into the complexities and evolution of SBC. He sheds light on aligning equity strategies with company growth and effectively communicating their value to potential hires. The conversation navigates the challenges CFOs face in fostering trust while raising capital and balancing professional and personal demands. Curt also discusses the intricate fundraising processes and the significance of transparent equity valuation, all while adding a dash of humor with quirky expense tales.

Guy Melamed, CFO & COO of Varonis, shares insights from his leadership in major business model transformations. He discusses the challenges of shifting from a perpetual to a subscription model and now to SaaS, emphasizing effective communication with stakeholders. Melamed highlights the need for collaboration across departments and adapting sales incentives to align with corporate goals. He also reflects on balancing growth with financial prudence, personal career risks, and the importance of financial education for future generations.

Justin Coulombe, CFO of Miro and expert in SaaS business models, discusses his 'less but better' philosophy, emphasizing the power of strategic divestment to enhance focus and impact. He reveals how Miro utilizes data and predictive modeling to drive upsell opportunities and improve customer retention. The conversation touches on the balance between product-led growth and human-led sales, and explores the viability of per-seat versus outcome-based pricing models. Coulombe also offers insights on leading business transformations and the necessary shifts in SaaS practices for sustainable growth.

Navaid Mansuri, CFO of Dialogue Health and seasoned negotiator in media, discusses his unique journey from a private company to public, and back to private in under five years. He shares insights on the challenges of financial management during these drastic shifts and the art of adaptability in leadership, particularly within the telehealth sector during COVID-19. Mansuri also highlights the nuances of the Canadian IPO landscape and offers valuable lessons from his career mistakes, emphasizing the importance of networking and the right operational tools.