GrowCFO Show Kevin Appleby

Kevin Appleby and Lee share their insights on navigating the sales world, emphasizing the importance of listening, enthusiasm, and adaptability. They discuss their career paths and the value of relating to customers and understanding their needs. The conversation also covers the evolution of invoicing from traditional methods to digitalization, the importance of standardizing business processes to streamline operations, and the potential for cost savings and improved cash flow through technology and strategic partnerships.







Key topics covered include:









* Lee's career journey from art school to sales, and what he learned about listening being more important than talking.  







* The evolution of invoicing from paper to digital formats, and the challenges this created for managing multiple data and delivery requirements from buyers.







* How integrating accounts payable and receivable can streamline invoice processing and create synergies.  







* Corcentric's unique order-to-cash solution that combines people, process, technology and funding to guarantee a DSO result.







* Insights from CFO roundtables on the changing CFO role, priorities, pain points and challenges of managing teams and stakeholders.







* Whether automation and AI will truly displace large numbers of finance jobs, or simply enhance productivity by automating manual tasks.











https://youtu.be/JGKwr0RM5NI









Links









* Lee Allen on LinkedIn







* Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn







* GrowCFO Mentoring









Timestamps









* 0:00:11 - Introduction and guest introduction







* 0:00:49 - Lee discusses his career journey from art school to sales  







* 0:10:15 - Evolution of invoicing and challenges of digital transformation







* 0:11:50 - Integrating accounts payable and receivable  







* 0:13:11 - Corecentric's unique order-to-cash solution







* 0:19:20 - Shared services and outsourcing accounting processes







* 0:25:40 - Insights from CFO roundtables on challenges and pain points 







* 0:31:55 - Changing CFO role, technology challenges and people management







* 0:35:55 - Impact of AI on finance roles and automation of tasks









Find out more about GrowCFO







If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.







GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. 







Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here. You can find out more and join today ata href="http://www.www.

Kevin Appleby and Alan Gonsenhauser discuss the importance of collaboration between CMOs and CFOs in aligning metrics and growth strategies. They emphasize the need for a common understanding of modern marketing and its value to the organization, as well as establishing a customer culture within the business. They also discuss the importance of using data to drive business growth, including predictive KPIs, measuring and optimizing customer lifetime value and retention, and aligning marketing strategies with financial objectives. Cross-functional alignment and clarity on what marketing is not going to focus on are also highlighted as key to growth.







Key topics covered include:









* The importance of collaboration between CMOs and CFOs in areas like setting KPIs and metrics, measuring marketing ROI, optimizing marketing spend, and managing risks. 







* The evolving roles of CMOs and CFOs, and how they can strengthen their relationship by understanding each other's perspectives. 







* The importance of customer-led growth strategies and metrics like Net Promoter Score in driving long-term value. 







* Developing marketing strategies that consider both short-term and long-term budget planning for growth and profitability. 







* Understanding different personality types and communication styles to improve collaboration across teams. 







* How finance and marketing functions can work together to establish a shared understanding of success and a customer-led culture.











https://youtu.be/xdioRCNweGY









Links









* Alan Gonsenhauser on LinkedIn







* Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn







* GrowCFO Mentoring









Timestamps









* 0:00-0:12 - Introduction







* 0:12-0:48 - Alan Gonsenhauser introduces himself and his background







* 0:48-1:06 - Alan Gonsenhauser discusses the relationship between CMOs and CFOs







* 1:06-1:20 - Kevin Appleby asks about measuring marketing ROI 







* 1:20-5:10 - Alan Gonsenhauser outlines 5 areas of CMO-CFO collaboration and discusses customer-led growth







* 5:10-5:56 - Kevin Appleby and Alan Gonsenhauser discuss KPIs vs key results indicators







* 5:56-7:34 - Alan Gonsenhauser distinguishes different types of metrics







* 7:34-10:24 - Discussion on Net Promoter Score and customer satisfaction







* 10:24-12:23 - Collaboration on growth strategies, budget planning and cost-cutting







* 12:23-14:10 - Alignment across functions and saying no in strategy







* 14:10-16:23 - Zero-based budgeting and turnaround strategies







* 16:23-18:13 - Leveraging customer data and investment areas







* 18:13-19:26 - Additional growth levers and productivity







* 19:26-21:01 - Evolving CMO and CFO roles 







* 21:01-23:37 - Strengthening CMO-CFO relationship and customer culture







* 23:37-25:03 - Finance team adopting customer-led mindset







* 25:03-31:39 - Personality types, communication styles and presentations







* 31:39-34:05 - Becoming a successful CMO or CFO

Kevin Appleby and Bill Genovese discussed the convergence of digital technologies between the CFO and CEO/IO roles, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between these two roles. Kevin Appleby and Bill Genovese later discussed the importance of cost avoidance, cybersecurity, and cultural change in navigating digital transformation, highlighting the need for organizations to adapt to new technologies and ways of thinking. Both conversations emphasized the value of collaboration and sharing experiences to better navigate the complexities of digital transformation.







Key topics covered include:









* An overview of Bill Genovese’s background in financial services and technology consulting







* The concept of digital convergence and how technologies overlap to solve business problems







* Examples of how ERP systems evolved to integrate finance functions







* The CFO-CIO partnership in regulatory compliance projects like Basel II







* Opportunities for cost avoidance and cloud strategies through legacy modernization







* Cybersecurity considerations like the zero-trust architecture







* Emerging technologies like quantum computing and associated risks







* When a company should consider hiring a dedicated CIO/CTO role







* The importance of culture and mindset for successful digital transformation 











https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8ABQhD9miI&t=10s









Links









* Bill Genovese on LinkedIn







* Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn







* GrowCFO Mentoring









Timestamps









* 0:00:11 Introduction and welcome







* 0:00:48 Bill Genovese introduction







* 0:00:51 Bill discusses his background







* 0:03:49 Kevin shares experience at IBM







* 0:04:04 Continued discussion of Bill’s background at IBM







* 0:05:01 Kevin recalls experience leaving IBM







* 0:05:28 Bill defines digital convergence using an overlapping circles diagram







* 0:07:05 Discussion of technology convergence e.g. smartphones







* 0:07:20 Bill shares he still has an original Palm Pilot







* 0:07:31 Kevin agrees about going back to old technologies







* 0:09:39 Kevin discusses finance systems integrating from other systems







* 0:11:36 Bill discusses ERP implementations in the early 2000s







* 0:12:36 Kevin discusses ongoing issues with budgeting/forecasting







* 0:13:21 Discussion of better budgeting solutions from the early 2000s







* 0:14:38 Kevin introduces discussing CFO-CIO partnerships







* 0:14:46 Bill discusses regulatory compliance projects







* 0:17:50 Kevin agrees to spend money intelligently 







* 0:18:10 Bill discusses his relationship with CFOs







* 0:19:56 Discussion of multi-cloud strategies and related risks







* 0:20:50 Kevin raises security concerns about multi-cloud







* 0:24:48 Bill discusses zero trust architecture and quantum risks

Greg Kautz and Kevin Appleby discussed the challenges of lease accounting and the need for technology to streamline these processes. Greg highlighted the benefits of automating lease accounting, while Appleby questioned the need for separate accounting rules for lessees and lessors. Later, the pair discussed the benefits of leasing assets for business growth, emphasizing the importance of considering leasing as an option for expansion. Finally, they discussed the challenges of fundraising in the current market, with Greg sharing their company's journey and Appleby providing insights on market conditions.







Key topics covered include:









* Greg Kautz's career transition from finance leadership roles to co-founding a lease accounting software company with his son







* An overview of the lease accounting software they developed called Black Owl Lease Accounting, which aims to solve issues with existing solutions







* A discussion of lease accounting standards and why lease accounting is important for businesses







* How they developed the initial prototype, hired staff, and grew the company







* Challenges they faced finding the right technical staff







* Their plans for future fundraising, global expansion, and growth of the company







* Reminiscing about the early days of accounting before technology from Kevin Appleby and Greg Kautz's perspective









https://youtu.be/gCOyz10LBp4







Links









* Greg Kautz on LinkedIn







* Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn







* GrowCFO Mentoring









Timestamps









* 0:00 - Introduction of Greg Kautz and his career transition







* 4:20 - Overview of lease accounting software Black Owl Lease Accounting







* 7:30 - Discussion of lease accounting standards and importance for businesses







* 11:00 - Developing the initial prototype and hiring staff







* 14:15 - Challenges finding the right technical staff







* 17:10 - Future fundraising plans and market growth







* 19:50 - Reminiscing about early accounting days before technology







* 26:50 - Selling the software to CFOs and other buyers







* 29:15 - Greg Kautz's future plans and not retiring anytime soon









Find out more about GrowCFO







If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.







GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. 







Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit.

Catherine Clark and Kevin Appleby discussed the importance of addressing personal and professional growth through holistic mentoring, emphasizing the role of emotional intelligence in decision making and relationship dynamics in business. Catherine is head of mentoring at GrowCFO. She frequently supports her mentees when they need to have a difficult conversation.







Key topics covered include:









* Catherine Clark's holistic approach to mentoring, which involves unlocking a mentee's personal potential and limiting beliefs to enable professional success.







* The importance of self-care, resilience, and mindfulness for professionals, and creating recovery time and daily routines to stay balanced.







* Active listening techniques and authentic relating that Kevin and Catherine apply in their consulting and mentoring work.







* The value of meditation, reflection, and forgiveness in personal growth and accessing inner wisdom and creativity.







* Finding gratitude even in past struggles and applying lessons learned.







* Catherine Clark's journey with Reiki and emphasizing energetic connection and self-healing.







* Strategies for starting the day in a calm, focused state through activities like meditation and dog walks to boost productivity.











https://youtu.be/7EsU8F9mTuQ









Links









* Catherine Clark on LinkedIn







* Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn







* GrowCFO Mentoring









Timestamps









* Mentoring and unlocking personal potential for professional success. 0:11











* The importance of self-care, resilience, and mindfulness in professional settings. 7:26











* Mentoring, coaching, and personal growth. 15:41











* Personal growth, energy, and gratitude. 23:07











* Meditation, mindfulness, and productivity. 27:38









Find out more about GrowCFO







If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.







GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. 







Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here. 







You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

Stephen Campbell, founder and chief solution architect at MacroFin, joins Kevin Appleby to discuss best practices for ERP implementation success. They share their experiences transitioning from accounting to technology consulting and implementation. Key topics covered include:









* Common challenges clients face when outgrowing systems like Xero and the decision process for selecting a new ERP







* Best practices for vendor selection and simplifying often lengthy and complex RFP processes







* Tips for effective project scoping and limiting implementation risks through shorter 90-day phases







* Emphasis on user training and testing to ensure knowledge transfer and benefits realization







* Advice on identifying super users and continual process improvement post go-live







* Perspectives on technology hype vs reality and potential for streamlining accounting through automation







* High failure rates of ERP projects and how to avoid pitfalls through proper preparation and change management









Stephen will present on delivering impactful finance transformations at the upcoming GrowCFO Global Finance Summit on May 16th.









https://youtu.be/cMtkZHhmNYw









Links









* Stephen Campbell on LinkedIn







* Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn







* MacroFin







* GrowCFO Finance Transformation Bootcamp







* GrowCFO Global Finance Summit









Timestamps







Introducing Stephen Campbell and MacroFin (0:11)







ERP implementation best practices and process reviews. (5:08)







Choosing an ERP system for growing businesses, focusing on NetSuite and Xero. (9:18)







The importance of simplifying the RFP process (13:24)







Implementing NetSuite ERP system with a focus on knowledge transfer and testing. (17:56)







Streamlining accounting processes with technology. (23:06)







ERP implementation challenges and best practices. (27:35)







Implementing NetSuite ERP system with a focus on process improvement and vendor selection. (31:35)







Find out more about GrowCFO







If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favourite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Google Podcasts, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.







GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. 







Premium members can also access our extensive training centre and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enrol in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programmes here.