CFO Weekly Personiv

Big companies need a better art of problem-solving. You can't simply rely on luck or intuition. Data and analytics must become your greatest allies in your decision-making process. However, it's not just about employing any tool you find; it's about finding the right tool for your needs. In the case of big companies, Dhiraj Rajaram has the solution.

Dhiraj is the founder of Mu Sigma, where he leads the company's strategic direction. Before starting Mu Sigma, he gained experience at Booz Allen Hamilton and PwC. Dhiraj was listed in Fortune Magazine's "40 under 40" in 2011 and 2013. In 2012, Ernst and Young India honored him with the "Entrepreneur Of The Year India" award in the Services sector. Additionally, in early 2014, CNBC TV18 India Business Leaders Awards presented him with the Young Turk award.

In this episode, we discuss:
- The financial benefits of systemized decision-making
- The art of problem-solving
- Financial planning and optionality through analytics
- The changing role of CFOs
- AI and machine learning in finance

People expect CFOs to be masters of everything, not just finance. Strategy, technology, marketing, or customer engagement, a financial leader truly has to get a strong grasp on every aspect of a business. Impossible, some might say. But not for Daniel Welch, who joined us in this episode of CFO Weekly to share his personal performance as an executive as well as strategies for successfully scaling high-growth businesses.

Daniel has a deep passion for developing and enhancing value in consumer-focused companies with standout products and strong customer connections. Before Kate Farms, he served as the CFO of Oura Health, led corporate finance and development at Sonos, and has a background in investment banking.

In this episode, we discuss:
- How to maintain high levels of performance in finance leadership
- Key strategies for scaling high-growth businesses
- The importance of leveraging technology in high-growth companies
- Building efficiency in finance teams

Business and digital transformation are two of the hottest topics today, critical for surviving and thriving in today's competitive environment. From streamlining processes to improving accuracy and efficiency, technology has revolutionized the way financial operations are carried out. To explore the benefits of business and digital transformation and how they can be effectively implemented, we discuss with Steve Hankins.

Steve brings a wealth of experience from an outstanding career across the food and logistics industries, having sharpened his skills in various senior roles, including 21 years at Tyson Foods. Today, he is the CFO at Morgan Foods. Previously, Steve was also CEO of US Bentonite and Accio.US, as well as the Global CFO/CIO for Globe Express Services. His expertise spans business integration, transforming financial operations, financial reporting, and more.

In this episode, we discuss:
- Business and digital transformation
- The role of technological innovation in reshaping financial operations
- How to leverage technology for operational efficiency
- Automation and digital transformation for business success

It's not the first time we have explored the evolution of the CFO role. According to Alex Glueckler, today the CFO is expected to be a strategic advisor to the CEO and the board of directors. They must provide insights and analysis that drive decision-making and help shape the company's long-term growth strategy. What else is on the list? Alex breaks it down for us.

With more than 18 years of experience in accounting, finance, and product management, Alex is a dynamic and goal-driven leader. He skillfully merges strategic planning, analytical prowess, and process enhancement capabilities to boost business efficiency and expansion. Some of his previous roles include Chief Financial Officer for CLMBR and Pure Harvest Corporate Group, as well as Interim CEO of Alternate36.

In this episode, we discuss:
- The evolving role of the CFO
- Effective leadership and communication in finance
- The importance of work-life balance for CFOs
- Managing stress and avoiding burnout
- Harnessing the power of data analysis in finance

Do modern CFOs need to consider integrating AI, automation, or analytics into their financial operations? The answer is a resounding yes. These technologies are not only useful for streamlining accounting processes but also for making more informed strategic decisions that can give businesses a competitive edge. To shed light on this topic, we have invited Aneal Vallurupalli to share his expertise.

Aneal is the CFO at Airbase, a company focused on helping businesses with their spend management needs. He has vast experience in corporate finance, corporate development, operations, and technology mergers and acquisitions. Before joining Airbase, Aneal was the Vice President of Finance and Operations at Mattermost, where he played a key role in significantly increasing the company's enterprise value.

In this episode, we discuss:
- How financial technology drives value and efficiency
- The role of analytics and AI in finance
- Streamlining accounting processes
- What the role of the modern CFO entails

The emergence of new technologies like AI and the increasing influence of data-driven decision-making have brought new challenges to financial professionals. At the same time, CFOs can use them to provide the most value to a company’s financial performance. It's all about the strategy. And today, Tom Panther shares his wisdom on how CFOs can leverage all these modern tools.

Tom is an experienced finance professional with a 25-year track record in the industry, encompassing finance, accounting, and HR roles. Throughout his career, he held leadership titles such as Director of Corporate Finance, Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, and Head of Total Rewards at companies like FLEETCOR, SunTrust, and EVO Payments.

In this episode, we discuss:
- The impact of technology on the CFO role
- How authentic leadership drives financial success
- Talent acquisition strategies for CFOs
- The future of high-performing CFOs
- What role does AI play in finance?