Field Notes: Practical Conversations on AI

CrossCountry Consulting

You're a CFO, CIO, or transformation leader under pressure to cut costs, reduce manual work, and unlock strategic insight from your data. But when AI feels like more hype than help, Field Notes is built for you. CrossCountry Consulting's podcast brings together practitioners and executives for honest, grounded conversations about what AI adoption actually looks like: the governance questions, the quick wins, the change management realities, and the ROI that makes it all worth it. No theory. Just field-tested guidance to help you take the next step. Available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.

Episodes

  1. MAR 10

    Strategy, Orchestration, and Value Creation: End-to-End Procurement Transformation with AI

    How can your procurement function, often seen as a cost center, be transformed into a strategic profit driver? For many organizations, the source-to-pay process is a complex and capital-intensive area ripe for optimization. In this episode, we explore the immense value creation possible within procurement and supply chain management. Cade Lutz, a leader in transformation and sourcing, joins the discussion to share his expertise on weaponizing the procurement function. He explains how a data-intensive approach can help organizations save money, increase buying efficiency, and strengthen controls to mitigate risk. Discover how to leverage AI for procurement orchestration and the critical role of data quality in any successful transformation. Cade provides a clear roadmap for how a $5 billion company can realize savings of $250 million, turning a standard business function into a source of significant competitive advantage. We also discuss the importance of continuous vendor monitoring and fostering collaboration between procurement, risk, and compliance teams. Key Takeaways: ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">How to reframe procurement from a cost center to a profit center. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="2">The three pillars of procurement transformation: cost savings, efficiency, and risk mitigation. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="3">Real-world examples of achieving a 50-to-1 ROI through a data-driven strategy. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="4">Actionable advice on using spend analytics and AI-powered orchestration to improve the guided buying experience. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="5">The foundational importance of data quality and continuous monitoring for third-party risk management. Transform your finance function and empower your organization to achieve more. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and please leave a review to let us know your thoughts

    35 min

  2. MAR 10

    AI in Record to Report: Real-Time Finance for the Future

    Imagine transforming your financial workflows so profoundly that the traditional month-end close becomes a relic of the past. For modern financial executives, harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline operations is the key to unlocking true enterprise agility. In episode two, we dive into the evolution of the Record to Report process and the reality of achieving a real-time close. Harris Gofstein brings 25 years of experience in business transformation to the show, sharing exactly how finance leaders can leverage AI to optimize budgeting and seamlessly orchestrate connected planning platforms. We explore why it is crucial to embed automation directly into your existing financial processes rather than simply deploying new software. Harris shares actionable advice on starting small with AI to drive tangible value, from accelerating budget cycles to executing daily cash flow forecasting. The conversation also addresses how to bridge emerging skill gaps within your finance team to ensure your organization remains forward-thinking and completely audit-ready. Key Takeaways: ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">The strategic path to achieving a real-time close through continuous data processing and advanced analytics. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="2">How AI can orchestrate budget cycles, automate data staging, and align key business drivers. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="3">Real-world examples of daily cash flow forecasting to enhance decision-making accuracy. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="4">Practical strategies for addressing the finance skill gap and building a more agile, data-driven team. Drive strategic value and innovate continuously within your finance function. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and please leave a review to let us know your thoughts!

    33 min

  3. MAR 10

    Foundations for Responsible AI

    Imagine a world where you can monitor your AI agents, security controls, and financial KPIs from a single, centralized command center. For modern CFOs leading strategic initiatives, this is the future of enterprise agility, but reaching that future requires a solid framework. In this episode of Field Notes, Tom Alexander sits down with Cameron Over, Partner and Cyber Security Lead at CrossCountry Consulting, to explore the strategic realities of AI transformation. They discuss how finance leaders can drive sustainable growth by prioritizing responsible AI, proactive risk management, and robust corporate governance. If building your organization's AI program feels like assembling a plane while it is already flying, this conversation provides the actionable blueprint you need to guide your digital transformation efforts effectively. Learn how to integrate seamlessly, innovate continuously, and mitigate operational risks before you deploy new technologies. Key Takeaways & Timestamps: 00:00:51 The vision for a centralized AI command center and real-time KPI monitoring. 00:03:56 Why you must transform end-to-end processes and build a strong foundation before implementing AI. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:06:37 How CFOs can operate at the speed of business while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:08:27 The importance of aligning AI initiatives with measurable financial outcomes and strategic ROI. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:12:08 Why executing a focused proof of concept is critical to scale your AI capabilities safely. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:15:17 Navigating the "building the plane while it flies" dilemma and assessing third-party risks. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:31:40 Why data quality and strategy form the essential baseline for advanced analytics. Transform your finance function and lead your organization's digital future with confidence. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and visit our website to discover more resources designed to empower the Office of the CFO.

    29 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

You're a CFO, CIO, or transformation leader under pressure to cut costs, reduce manual work, and unlock strategic insight from your data. But when AI feels like more hype than help, Field Notes is built for you. CrossCountry Consulting's podcast brings together practitioners and executives for honest, grounded conversations about what AI adoption actually looks like: the governance questions, the quick wins, the change management realities, and the ROI that makes it all worth it. No theory. Just field-tested guidance to help you take the next step. Available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.

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