The CFO Show

Achieving optimal growth calls for collaboration between marketing and finance.Ruth Zive, CMO at LivePerson, joins Melissa to dive into data-driven decisions and the critical need for business partnering between the CMO and CFO. She shares insights on driving scalable growth, pipeline coverage and brand awareness in B2B SaaS marketing, as well as nuanced marketing metrics and the impact of AI investments on customer experience.Discussed in This Episode:Marketing strategy and data-driven decision makingImproving finance-marketing business partnerships for better outcomesMetrics, ROI, and efficiency in enterprise B2B SaaS

When it comes to metrics, less is more. Our host, Melissa Howatson, is joined by Craig Schiff, Founder and CEO of BPM Partners. A pioneer in Business Performance Management, Craig helped create and define the field as it evolved from generic business intelligence and analytic applications into BPM.In this episode, we unpack the crucial components — dashboards, scorecards, KPIs, and metrics — that drive business performance management and strategic business success. We discuss the mismatch between technological progress and the slow evolution of organizational processes and culture in performance management. This conversation is filled with practical advice on navigating the complexities of business performance metrics and creating synergy between strategy and execution. Discussed in This Episode: The challenges of today’s performance management and business metrics.How the Office of Finance can take the lead when it comes to performance culture within the business.Differences between dashboards, scorecards, KPIs, and metrics.Common pitfalls companies face, from static approaches to KPI development to internal political resistance that hinders strategic execution. How to align business strategies with performance measures and foster a productive and enjoyable work culture.

Finance business partnering is crucial for aligning financial strategies with overall business objectives, but what are the essential skills that finance professionals need to make truly successful business partners?In this episode, our hosts discuss moving beyond finance and technical expertise to develop key skills such as empathy, communication, negotiation, leading with influence and developing business acumen. These skills are crucial for fostering effective collaboration, understanding diverse perspectives and driving meaningful outcomes in today’s dynamic business landscape. Key Learnings in This Episode:How to balance technical expertise with empathy and influence to shape business strategies and drive change.Have a genuine interest and understanding the other parts of the business and what they’re doing and be willing to get out of your lane of Finance to form solid partnershipsEncourage a culture where failure is a learning tool that fosters team growth and innovation.Embrace lull periods within business for skill development, to ensure the team is prepared to lead and adapt to new challenges.

How can you showcase value and ROI effectively when talking about your business- with customers and with stakeholders across the business? In this episode, our host Melissa Howatson sits down with Ian Campbell, CEO of Nucleus Research, to explore the intricacies of finance collaboration in driving business success. Ian, a Wall Street Journal best-selling author celebrated for his expertise in “the value sale,” offers invaluable insights on integrating sales knowledge and ROI best practices throughout businesses. His approach prioritizes payback and customer satisfaction, providing a comprehensive framework for evaluating decisions and driving success across all facets of an organization.Join us as Melissa and Ian discuss:Leading sales conversations with value propositions and ROI calculationsEmpowering sales teams with finance insights to articulate the benefits of products or services effectivelyThe significance of collaboration between finance and sales in driving revenue growth and aligning sales strategies with financial objectivesImplementing finance collaboration principles across Marketing and Product development to optimize investments and maximize returns

A strong partnership between finance and HR is crucial to the health of any organization, and yet, studies show that fewer than half of HR leaders believe their rapport with finance is productive. What hampers this relationship? And what can the CFO do to improve the quality of their rapport with HR? Tracy Edkins, CHRO, Board Member and Advisor, joins Melissa Howaston to detail what strategic alignment between HR and Finance can achieve for growth and sustainability.Join us as they discuss:The significance of open communication and collaboration between HR and finance departments for successful change management and strategic alignmentStrategies for data-driven decision-making, transparent communication, and securing resources to drive HR initiatives that align with business objectives.The role of effective leadership, empathy, and skills development in navigating organizational challenges

Securing funding and raising capital in today’s market can be difficult, but it's not impossible. In this episode, our host Melissa Howatson speaks with Peter Arrowsmith, Managing General Partner at JMI Equity, about businesses seeking capital in the current economic climate. Peter shares insights on what is most important when valuations are experiencing a downturn from previous years and companies are prioritizing prudent cash management. From the impact of market fluctuations to the importance of relationship-building and operational rigor, this episode is a must for any CFO and finance leader seeking to secure funds during challenging market conditions.Discussed in this episode:The influence of market volatility and investor expectations on fundraising activityStrategies for proactive relationship-building and preparation to navigate the fundraising process effectivelyThe significance of operational excellence and clear communication in securing funding amidst uncertain market conditions

Finance holds a unique and pivotal vantage within a company or organization, and is much more than checks and balances. Finance is at the heart of optimizing the financial and operational performance of the organization on the whole and helps to guide leadership in making impactful strategic investments and aligning financial strategies with business vision and goals.In this episode, hosts Melissa and Tom get to the heart of strategic finance as they discuss investments, priorities and trade offs.Discussed in this episode:Aligning investments with the business roadmap and priorities, focusing on areas such as headcount, technology, ESG, and supply chainStrategies for defining and implementing impactful initiatives to bridge gaps and drive the business prioritiesThe crucial interplay between finance and overall business strategies, involving tough decision-making, open communication, and prioritization discussions

We made it to 2024- not unscathed, but with a new year and fresh outlook on the economy. Yet what created the uncertainties in the markets these past several years is still driving uncertainty. To run our business and our lives, most of us want to know: when will interest rates start to drop? Will employment rates stay strong? And a big question, with big impact: are wage increases on the horizon?This week our host, Melissa Howatson, gets to ask one of Canada’s leading economists all this and more. Benjamin Tal, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC Capital Markets Inc., shares his insights, predictions and more.Join us as we discuss:Anticipation of normalizing labor markets and the impact on wagesThe lingering uncertainties in the global markets and the factors contributing to economic unpredictabilityHow AI can affect profitability and long-term business strategies

How can CFOs escape the daily grind to focus on strategic initiatives that are increasingly being asked of them? Our day-to-day financial responsibilities are constantly competing with the pressing need for organizational innovation from financial leadership.In this episode, Nicolas Herman, CFO, Microsoft Americas Enterprise, sits down with Melissa to discuss strategies for building and guiding teams to amplify their impact, and offers advice to CFOs on how to differentiate themselves and ultimately leave their mark.

How can organizations keep up with constant change in the digital landscape? Your CTO is a big asset in staying agile in an ever-changing business landscape. No longer are they primarily focused on technological needs, but key in working together with the CFO to drive strategic initiatives. To understand more, Hosts Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller welcome Joel Dolisy, Chief Technology Officer at WellSky. Joel shares the importance of the relationship between finance and technology- the different tensions, successful partnerships,and how they strategically can work together. Between having ongoing communication and making strategic investments, hear how alignment between finance and technology will lead to growth and better business.Join us as we discuss:Insights into a CTO’s role and the different areas they manageThe unique dynamics between, not only the CTO and the finance team, but other teams within an organizationThe different tensions that CTO’s and finance departments encounterExamples of successful collaboration between the office of finance and the CTO