Becoming a Financial Storyteller with CJ Gustafson

Who is CJ Gustafson?

Daniëlle Keeven sits down with CJ Gustafson, the multi-faceted CFO of PartsTech and the creator of the business newsletter Mostly Metrics. As the conversation unravels, CJ sheds light on the importance of industry-specific benchmarks and how broad benchmarks can sometimes be misleading. He delves into his personal motivations, sharing how his daily running routine and innate curiosity drive him to excel in his role.

Furthermore, CJ offers a glimpse into his journey, reflecting on how his passion for understanding business metrics led him to his current position. Not stopping there, he challenges the stereotypical image of CFOs and emphasizes the evolving nature of the role. With CJ’s insights, listeners are bound to learn the intricacies of meaningful financial analysis and the dynamic responsibilities of a modern CFO.

What to Expect

• CJ Gustafson discusses how broad benchmarks can give false signals and emphasizes the importance of industry-specific benchmarks.
• CJ shares his motivations for showing up to work every day, mentioning his love for running and the energy and curiosity it brings to his professional life.
• He reflects on his journey, highlighting how his passion for understanding financial models and metrics led him to his current role.
• CJ talks about always having an underdog mentality and how past experiences have driven him to constantly seek self-validation in his achievements.
• He mentions his dedication to writing for almost two years without an audience and how he takes the process of documenting his work seriously.
• CJ brings up how business can be fun and how he doesn't like when people act overly superior or try to put others down.
• He challenges the common assumptions about CFOs, joking about the stereotype of them wearing ugly shoes, and underscores how their roles have evolved beyond bean-counting to become integral in company performance.
• CJ introduces the concept of CFO as Chief Performance Officer, attributing this evolution to better tools and metrics being available.
• He advises CFOs on being financial storytellers by understanding what makes their company exciting, positioning it as a category leader, and involving customers in that story.

Where to find CJ

Give CJ a follow on Twitter and LinkedIn.