Run the Numbers

Bill Koefoed, CFO of OneStream Software, shares his expertise on navigating the complexities of an IPO. He recounts the thrill of their stock soaring 34% on debut despite market turbulence. Bill reflects on the strategic decisions made during the challenging roadshow and emphasizes the importance of investor relations. With a background in Microsoft's investor relations, he reveals lessons in transparency and resilience. Plus, he provides amusing anecdotes about quirky expense claims, adding a light-hearted touch to his insightful journey.

Adam Berg, CFO of Zero Hash, provides invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of financial services infrastructure, emphasizing the pivotal role of blockchain technology. He discusses the complexities of B2B2C business models and the critical challenges of liquidity management. Adam highlights how margin compression can harm end users while offering strategic advice for aspiring finance professionals. With humor, he shares anecdotes on outrageous company expenses, blending serious finance with light-hearted moments.

Ganapathy Subramaniam, CFO of TerraPay, dives into the intricacies of cross-border payments, highlighting challenges like high fees and inefficiencies. He discusses innovative digital solutions reshaping the payment landscape and emphasizes the importance of optimizing payment corridors, especially in regions like Africa and South Asia. Ganapathy also explores the evolving role of CFOs as strategic value creators and shares insights on currency exchange margins and the growing importance of digital wallets. His reflections offer a roadmap for finance leaders aiming to elevate their impact.

Scott Voss, Managing Director at HarbourVest, shares his expertise in private equity, focusing on secondaries, continuation vehicles, and sidecar funds. He discusses how HarbourVest identifies promising fund managers and the importance of private market access for diversified portfolios. Scott highlights trends in AI's impact on investments and delves into the complexities of succession planning in private equity. He also explains how continuation vehicles are evolving from distressed asset management to innovative growth opportunities, enhancing market liquidity.

Lily Yang, CFO of Strava, shares her expertise on the evolution of the platform from a cycling hub to a diverse fitness community with over 135 million users. She discusses Strava's innovative subscription model and the impact of brand partnerships, such as with Chipotle, on revenue growth. The conversation also covers retention strategies for subscription-based businesses, insights on gamification in fitness, and the significance of user achievements. Additionally, Lily reflects on her career challenges in finance, offering wisdom for aspiring professionals.

Kyle Poyar, author of Growth Unhinged and expert in pricing and product-led growth, dives into the shifting world of SaaS metrics shaped by AI. He challenges the relevance of annual recurring revenue as we transition to outcome-based pricing. The discussion highlights the rise of success-based pricing and how AI acts as a co-pilot for improved sales strategies. Poyar also explains the distinction between recurring and reoccurring revenue models, emphasizing the need for new metrics to guide CFOs and adapt to the evolving landscape.

Marc Greenberg, former VP of Finance & Strategy at Pixar and now CFO at Altruist, shares fascinating insights from his unique career. He discusses Pixar's complex budgeting process and the creative finance strategies that support storytelling. Greenberg reflects on the cultural impact of Pixar films and the innovative leadership during Disney's acquisition. He also explores the evolving role of CFOs in the AI era, blending financial operations with empathy and storytelling. Plus, he shares wild expense stories from the film industry!

Naeem Ishaq, a three-time CFO renowned for his work in SaaS and consumption-based models, shares his insights on revenue forecasting and managing business volatility. He emphasizes key strategies for a new CFO's first 100 days, including engaging with the board and establishing early metrics. Naeem also explores the innovative use of AI in financial modeling, detailing how deterministic and probabilistic forecasts can enhance accuracy. Drawing from his experiences during the crypto winter and the Covid pandemic, he offers advice on fostering resilience in uncertain times.

Dive into the intricacies of budgeting for hypergrowth companies. Explore essential strategies for building sales capacity and optimizing team performance. Learn about the critical interdepartmental collaboration vital for effective annual planning. Discover tips for managing expenses, setting quotas, and ensuring sufficient support for sales teams. Uncover key budgeting tactics that adapt to rapid growth and market changes. It's a treasure trove of advice for navigating the complexities of financial planning in dynamic environments!

Michael Linford, CFO of Affirm, shares his expertise on the Buy Now, Pay Later model, emphasizing its rise and the importance of transparency in financial products. He discusses how Affirm avoids predatory practices and the significance of short loan durations. Linford delves into metrics like customer acquisition and lifetime value, advocating a consumer-first approach. He also touches on managing economic fluctuations and offers career advice on balancing patience and ambition, stressing the value of an engineering mindset in decision-making.