The CFO Show

If you like sports, you might say James Suh has one of the coolest jobs in the world. After 11 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, James became CFO of the NHLs Florida Panthers. What a first year he had, as the Panthers went from barely making the playoffs to the Stanley Cup finals!  In this episode, James gives us an inside look at what goes into finance operations for a sports team and what it was like to lead those operations for an underdog in a breakout year. His experiences offer valuable lessons in strategic planning, underscoring the importance of knowing your market and prioritizing long-term growth and profitability over quick sales streams. Discussed in This Episode:Understanding the finances of a hockey franchiseThe many streams of revenue in an NHL franchise, and how those differ from team to teamScenario modeling in an industry and market that are both highly unpredictableThe impact fan behavior has on budgeting and revenue forecastingHow winning impacts work culture, revenues and operationsFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Amid uncertain market conditions, many companies are adopting a cautious "wait and see" stance regarding their initial public offering (IPO) plans. However, instead of delaying, proactive planning for an eventual IPO launch is essential. By preparing in advance, companies can capitalize on market opportunities, mitigate risks, and position themselves strategically for a successful public offering when market conditions stabilize. Donna Dellomo, Former EVP and CFO and Current Senior Strategic Advisor for Lovesac, has helped three companies go public throughout her long career leading finance teams. In this episode, Donna discusses how she built data-driven finance operations and prepared her teams to operate as public companies. Donna’s experiences highlight the importance of investing in technology and establishing the right controls to ensure a healthy public offering, as well as how adaptability can help keep your valuation high.Learn what meticulous planning and organization it takes for IPO readiness. While you can’t control when market conditions will shift in your favor, you can ensure you and your finance team are ready when they do. Discussed in This Episode:Key factors to consider when timing your IPOWhy building the right team of advisors (bankers, lawyers, auditors, investor relations, etc.) is key to fundraising and storytellingThe role of agile planning and scenario forecasting in your IPO-readiness strategy.How Donna and her team navigated unprecedented macroeconomic shifts, such as COVID, supply chain disruption, and tariffsLeveling up as a CFO by learning to communicate with the Street and spearhead investor relationsCultural differences that arise once you go from private to public, and how to stay true to your company valuesFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

As your business grows, you may feel a lot of pressure to meet increasing operational demands. However, investing in new resources brings the company additional risk, especially in times of economic uncertainty. How do you strike the right balance between prioritization, creating operational efficiencies and hiring?Andy Young, CFO at Horwich Farrelly, has led finance teams through multiple acquisitions and periods of high growth. In this episode, Andy and host Melissa Howatson discuss how to scale up finance operations amongst global economic shifts. Their conversation focuses on re-evaluating the traditional financial framework and implementing innovative strategies as technologies advance and business structures become more complex.Learn how to approach high-growth seasons and lead your team through major business changes. Discussed in This Episode:The challenges of scaling up and practical solutions to address themHow to lead and inspire a finance team through business and economic changes What to do when there’s a misalignment between resources and growth plansAutomating processes to trim down operations while you scale upThe importance of a dedicated team during acquisitionsFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Startups in highly regulated industries must strike a tough balance — keeping operations both lean and compliant.Sruthi Lanka, CFO at Public.com, leans on her engineering background, as well as out-of-the-box thinking from her team, to meet both criteria. Sruthi explains why she made process efficiency a top priority for her team, and how a combination of high and low-tech solutions has created efficiencies and mitigated risk. Learn what it takes to fortify your organization against unforeseen risk management challenges with this in-depth look at Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and internal controls.Discussed in This Episode:The impact of automation on internal controls and how to make time for automation when you’re resource-constrainedThe importance of accurate and unified data across the businessEnsuring regulatory and data compliance when leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)How smarter checks and balances and risk management can improve the quality of your businessFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Ruth Zive, CMO of LivePerson, shares her expertise on fostering cooperation between marketing and finance to drive growth. She emphasizes the importance of data-driven decisions and real-time metrics for successful B2B SaaS strategies. Ruth discusses the value of marketing experience in finance roles and highlights the need for a designated finance partner. She also touches on the challenges of measuring brand impact, collaborative cost-cutting strategies, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experience, making a compelling case for effective business partnerships.

Craig Schiff, Founder and CEO of BPM Partners, shares his expertise in Business Performance Management. He discusses the importance of effective KPIs, dashboards, and scorecards in aligning business strategy with execution. Craig highlights the pitfalls of outdated metrics and internal resistance, urging finance to take the lead in shaping a performance-driven culture. He emphasizes prioritizing a few actionable KPIs and fostering trust, accountability, and enjoyment in the workplace. Find out why embracing simplicity can transform your approach to performance metrics!

Tom Seegmiller, a VP of FP&A at Venice Solutions, shares his insights on how finance professionals can enhance their business partnering skills. He emphasizes the need for empathy and communication alongside technical expertise to shape successful strategies. Tom discusses fostering a culture that embraces failure as a learning tool and highlights the importance of developing skills during lull periods. He also addresses the significance of collaborating across functions like HR and marketing for better organizational outcomes.

Ian Campbell, CEO of Nucleus Research and author of The Value Sale, shares his expertise on showcasing ROI in business strategies. He emphasizes the revival of ROI amidst budget constraints and the importance of aligning finance with sales to drive revenue. Ian discusses empowering sales teams with value-focused training and the clear benefits of collaboration across departments. His insights reveal how quantifying ROI can significantly shorten deal closures and enhance customer satisfaction, making compelling business cases easier for stakeholders.

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.Discussed in This Episode: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 challengesFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

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 conditionsFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.