Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas, shares her extensive experience in financial transformation and project implementation. Learn how to ensure the success of your next financial transformation project by following best practices and avoiding common pitfalls. Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:A refresher on Kotter’s Change Cycle and how it applies to financial transformation projects.Pre-implementation activities Insights on dealing with team resistance, capacity management, and team buy-in.Key phases of successful financial system implementationTraining and testing tips to ensure smooth onboarding and successful adoption of new systems.The importance of data migration and how to ensure accuracy in your new system.How to navigate the go-live phase with a proactive approach and risk management.FAQs on common concerns like hiring external resources, testing schedules, and building super users.Links mentioned: September FTL: Ensuring a Successful Finance Systems Implementation ProjectRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live  sessions CFO 4.0 Monthly BriefingFinancial Transformation Live Feedback survey Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro speaks with Jeremy Earnshaw, Founding Director of Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring, about his journey from CFO to executive coach, and the soft skills crucial for senior finance leaders. Together, they explore how CFOs can navigate leadership challenges, stakeholder management, and complex financial situations.Key topics covered in this episode include:.The transition from CFO to Executive Coach and Mentor, and the value of coaching for finance leaders.Managing stakeholder relationships, including high-powered investors and board members.The importance of clear, concise board presentations and how to manage differing stakeholder expectations.Real-life lessons from Jeremy’s experience with acquisitions, liquidity crises, and credit crunch challenges.Strategies for delivering both good and bad news effectively to stakeholders.The balance between supporting the CEO and fulfilling the role of a CFO, especially in challenging situations.Links mentioned:Jeremy's Linkedin Learn more about Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsJoin Hannah Munro, as she speaks with Josh Schenker, CFO of Aditude, about his journey in the world of strategy consulting, corporate development, and now scaling startups. In this episode of CFO 4.0, Josh shares his experience raising capital, navigating acquisitions, and the evolving role of the CFO.Key Takeaways:Lessons learned during the pandemic and how to target investors strategically.How Aditude evaluates and executes acquisitions, including key criteria for selecting target companies.A deep dive into the multi-faceted due diligence process for both buyers and sellers.Top Tips for CFOs: How to prepare for fundraising, acquisitions, and scaling operations.The importance of aligning people and culture during the M&A process.How to build processes that allow for seamless integration of new businesses.Links mentioned: Josh's LinkedinLearn more about Aditude  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro highlights the common reasons why finance technology projects often fail. With insights from years of experience in financial transformation, Hannah shares real-world examples and practical advice to help you navigate your next project successfully.Key topics covered include:How to avoid heading in the wrong direction by setting the right goals.Why breaking your project into manageable phases leads to better success.Why it’s essential to optimise your processes, not just automate them.Understanding how different attitudes towards change impact your project.Why clean data is critical for your project's success.Links mentioned: Hannah's LinkedinLearn more about itas solutions  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks about the art of presenting a compelling business case for financial transformation. Whether you're aiming to gain executive buy-in or refine your strategy, this session is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.Key topics covered:Learn the essential components that make a business case compelling and effective.Explore the importance of justifying the need for transformation, especially in today's volatile environment.Discover how to present multiple options, including the risks of inaction, to ensure informed decision-making.Get insights on calculating the total cost of ownership and the importance of including resourcing costs in your proposal.Understand the benefits of a phased implementation approach and how to set realistic timelines and expectations.Learn how to identify and mitigate risks associated with financial transformation projects to build confidence in your plan.Find out how to plan out an effective technology implementation project and ensure a smooth transition.Links mentioned:August FTL: Presenting The Business CaseRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live  sessions CFO 4.0 Monthly BriefingFinancial Transformation Live Feedback surveyBusiness Case Template  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

In this engaging discussion, Aaron Harris, Global CTO of Sage, shares his expertise in AI and finance technology. He highlights how AI is transforming CFO roles from mere record-keepers to strategic leaders. Trust in AI is crucial, alongside the importance of human judgment despite automation. Aaron discusses the rise of digital networks, e-invoicing, and the skill of prompt engineering to enhance AI's effectiveness. Lastly, he emphasizes the need for CFOs to adapt their mindsets to fully leverage AI and automation for improved financial performance.

Send us your thoughtsIn this weeks episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro sits down with Luigi Testa, CFO at LinkSquares, to discuss his journey and the incredible growth story of LinkSquares. Luigi shares his insights on transitioning into the CFO role, navigating funding rounds, and scaling the finance function within a rapidly growing company. Key points covered:The importance of strategic finance skills over traditional accounting backgrounds in the CFO role.Insights into the Series A to Series C funding processes, including investor expectations and maintaining clean financials.Common challenges during rapid growth and the importance of resilience and problem-solving.Key financial metrics and unit economics crucial for SaaS companies and how they evolve.Strategies for hiring the right talent and balancing process and control with growth objectives.Links mentioned:Luigi's Linkedin Learn more about LinkSquaresLuigi’s Book Recommendation: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this weeks episode of CFO 4.0 join Hannah Munro as she interviews Alex Ladd, CEO of Mindstream Analytics, Discover key insights and strategies for successful financial transformation projects. In this episode, we cover:The importance of customer involvement and realistic expectations.How to identify data issues through process evaluation rather than just data accuracy.The critical role of change management in the success of transformation projects.The importance of ongoing investment and seeing technology as a journey, not just a project.How performance management tools have evolved and the impact of AI and machine learning.The necessity of clear communication and setting expectations with all stakeholders.Links mentioned: Alex's LinkedinLearn more about Mindstream Analytics  Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of Financial Transformation Live, hosted by Hannah Munro, we look into the practical aspects of calculating the financial benefits of your new transformation project. This session is inspired by a listener’s request for a more detailed example of building a financial business case. Key points covered include:Learn how to estimate the financial ROI over a five-year periodUnderstand the value of better reporting and analyticsDiscover methods to measure time saved and efficiency gainsAssess the impact of better credit control and customer portal implementations on cash flowEvaluate the financial impact of mitigating risks such as fraudLinks mentioned:July FTL: Calculating the Financial Benefit of Your New Transformation ProjectRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live  sessions Register for August's Financial Transformation Live sessionCFO 4.0 Monthly BriefingFinancial Transformation Live Feedback survey Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro, is joined by Sara Daw, Co-founder and Group CEO at the CFO Center and the Liberti Group. Sara shares her journey from the corporate world to founding the CFO Center, and provides valuable insights into the evolving role of CFOs, particularly in the context of fractional and part-time positions.Key topics covered in this episode:The concept and benefits of fractional and part-time CFO roles for SMEs.The unique challenges and opportunities fractional CFOs face compared to their full-time counterparts.Strategies for effective financial management and planning in smaller businesses.The impact of technological advancements and AI on the CFO role.The integration of ESG and DEI initiatives within the CFO's responsibilities.The future of the C-suite and the growing importance of flexibility and adaptability in leadership roles.Links mentioned Sara’s Linkedin Learn more about The CFO CentreLearn more about The Liberti GroupLearn more about Sara’s work hereSara’s book “Strategy and Leadership as Service” Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!