Becoming a Superboss and Building Stronger Companies w/ Sydney Finkelstein

Three Overlooked Best Practices for Today's CFO w/ Robert Bendetti: What are the top three overlooked best practices for today's CFO? Networking. Lifelong learning. Giving back. Not the three you expected? Granted, none of these topics is a default practice, but each one can help senior financial executives advance their careers and lead more fulfilling lives. On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Robert Bendetti, Chief Financial Officer at Life Cycle Engineering, discusses the best practices around networking, lifelong learning, and giving back. What we talked about with Robert: -Getting the most out of the top networking events, platforms, and groups -Why lifelong learning is important and the role it plays in personal growth -How senior financial executives are uniquely positioned to help hurting people right now -...And why you're not as busy as you think! Presented by Personiv For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favo by CFO Weekly

19 min listen

Embrace Change, Don’t Fear It w/ Jill Barnard: A famous Greek philosopher once said, “The only constant is change.” But most of us aren’t huge fans of change. We get upset when the grocery store changes their layout, or when our favorite app gets redesigned and we have to learn our way around it all over again. As a business leader, you’ve got the unique responsibility to help your organization navigate change, and never has that been more true than during the current COVID-19 pandemic. It seems like every aspect of life is changing every second right now. So how do you embrace change? How do you set your company culture up in such a way where change isn’t feared, but viewed as an opportunity for growth and development? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, we talked with Jill Barnard, CFO at Televerde about -Managing for change, -How her company went fully remote within 24 hours -Why so many companies stick their heads in the sand and wait for the challenges to pass by. by CFO Weekly

37 min listen

Zero Based Budgeting: What is it and Why Should You Care? w/ Adanma Akujieze: We’re all familiar with the yearly rounds of budgeting within our companies. But how often are we really looking at the WAY that we are budgeting? So often, the budgeting process is simply looking at the prior year’s budget, adding a little bit of inflation room onto it, and moving forward, never really stopping to sit back and ask ourselves WHY we are spending the dollars that we are. And if the COVD-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we can likely make do without a lot of the things that we were spending an awful lot of money on before the pandemic hit. Things like travel, entertainment, being more intentional about where we’re spending technology dollars. Which is why this week’s guest is the perfect person to address what is known as “Zero Based Budgeting,” or ZBB. Adanma Akujieze is the Chief Financial Officer at Larson Design Group, and has been instrumental in adapting the ZBB method on h by CFO Weekly

24 min listen

4 Advantages of a Data-Driven Culture w/ Ryan Passe: What does being data-driven actually mean? Many companies say they’re data-driven, but don’t stop to think about what it really involves. In this episode of CFO Weekly, we nail down what data-driven culture is, why you want it, and how to get it. To help us out, we recruited VP of Operations at Sands Investment Group, Ryan Passe. Ryan covers: -What it means to be a data-driven organization -Advantages of achieving a data-driven culture -What CFOs should be doing to foster a data-driven culture Brought to you by Personiv! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player! by CFO Weekly

28 min listen

7 Reasons Why People Follow Effective Leadership w/ Roy Austin: If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you do it too? As much as we hate to admit it, mom had a point there. Leaders can influence people to do a lot of things, good or bad. It’s up to the leader to identify and develop the good qualities. In this episode of CFO Weekly, leadership coach and Managing Principal at Rockwell Business Solutions, Founder and Chair of Savannah CFO Council, and author of The Alligator Business Solution, Roy Austin joins us. He shares: -His definition of who a leader is -7 attributes an effective leader must possess -How to develop leadership skills -The benefits that result from being a good leader Brought to you by Personiv! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player! by CFO Weekly

35 min listen

Putting Profit First: Why It's the Bookkeeper's Responsibility w/ Andrew Royer: I love a fresh tube of toothpaste. You put a ton of it on that toothbrush, and you don't care because you've got a full tube of toothpaste. But after a while, that tube isn't full anymore, so you roll it up, scrunch it, and try to get the tiniest little bit on that toothbrush. Metaphorically speaking, that's what happens when you put profit last in your business. On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Andrew Royer, a CPA, a certified general accountant, and a bookkeeper discusses why we should be putting profit first. What we talked about with Andrew: -The differences between accounting and bookkeeping -What led Andrew to the profit first model and how he knew it was he had been looking for all along -How external events topple companies more focused on revenue than profit -...And how to make your business more profitable! Brought to you by Personiv! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, che by CFO Weekly

15 min listen

Why You Should Listen to CFO Weekly: The world is a strange place right now.   But regardless of the uncertainty that we’re facing, for most people, the show must go on. Work must get done - invoices sent out and books closed.  As a finance professional, have you ever wished that you could just spend time listening to other CFOs, and learning what’s working for them? Or even better, what’s NOT working for them? So that you don’t make the same mistakes?   Well you’re in luck.   Because the CFO Weekly podcast is just that. CFO Weekly is brought to you by Personiv. by CFO Weekly

5 min listen

Maximizing Cultural Compatibility: Outsource finance & accounting to the Philippines w/ Paulo Cheung: Why should you send work to someone on the other side of the world? If you do outsource, what hours will your international team be available? And how many people in another country actually want to work overnight to support U.S. hours, anyway? Most importantly, do companies that outsource get stuck with less capable talent than those who bring all their work in house? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Paulo Cheung, Executive Vice President and Country Site Head- Philippines at Personiv, discusses why the Philippines is an ideal place to outsource finance and accounting. What we talked about with Paulo: -A brief history of the Philippines, and why colonization made Filipino culture compatible with a range of culture -The three factors that make the Philippines a top outsourcing destination for most U.S. businesses -The availability of talent in the Philippines -...And why yo by CFO Weekly

12 min listen

The CFO’s Guide to Healthcare Benefits w/ Cory Yeager and Travis Sartain: Healthcare? Isn’t that an HR thing? Well, when it’s the second or third item on your balance sheet, it’s a CFO thing too. To help CFOs get a better understanding of healthcare benefits and medical plans for employees are Cory Yeager, Benefits Advisor, and Travis Sartain, Sr. VP, of Marsh & McLennan Agency. The benefits brainiacs share… -Why CFOs need to care about healthcare plans for employees -First steps to understanding healthcare expenses -How to apply data to make better decisions about medical plans Brought to you by Personiv! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player! by CFO Weekly

36 min listen

Letting Go of What We Can't Control w/ Sean Rizer: Control grows in fear's petri dish. What are your fears as a CFO? Are you concerned about: -Understanding covenant calculations? -Making cash flow projections? -Responding to COVID-19? -Changing the business model drastically? People often say to let go of fear, but what does it mean to let go? And what should we try to control as we navigate tough times? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Sean Rizer, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Harding Group, a construction company based in Indianapolis, discusses how to control your own destiny. What we talked about with Sean: -Moving from public accounting to industry -Advice for CFOs struggling to let go -How to live in the moment -...And the benefits of letting go! Presented by Personiv For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorite podcast player! by CFO Weekly

31 min listen

The 10 Rules for Success When Working from Home w/ Ali Green: The kitchen table is the new office. People are working from home and trying to create boundaries between their professional and personal lives. How can you create a happy and healthy home-work environment? On this inaugural episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Ali Green, CEO and Founding Director of Pantera Press, talks about the 10 rules of success she's developed in her 12 years of work-from-home or work-alone life. What we talked about with Ali: -Rule #1 — Decide your office hours in advance and stick to them. -Rule #2 — Separate work from sanctuary. (Or … why you'll never be able to eat a meal in peace at that table again.) -Rule #3 — Use your commute time wisely. How you spend the time between when you wake up and when you start work forms your mindset for the rest of the day. -...And Ali's seven other rules for success! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorit by CFO Weekly

61 min listen

5 Things You Need to Consider Before Reopening w/ Drew Niehaus: Let’s face it. It’s a hard time for any business. So many institutions across the country are finding themselves staring at closing up shop permanently. And for those that are lucky enough to make it through all of this, they’re left asking the question, “What do we do now?” It’s a fair question. What does it look like to reopen? What does the new normal look like? What unique challenges are you going to face that you’ve perhaps not considered? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, we sit down with Drew Niehaus, Managing Director at Riveron to discuss an article that he recently wrote for CFO.com around Five Accounting and Reporting Considerations you should evaluate before reopening. For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorite podcast player! Presented by Personiv by CFO Weekly

20 min listen

The Benefits of Women in Leadership w/ Lydia Adams: Women in leadership often create better, more profitable workplaces. Yet, as late as 2018, women held just one out of every 20 CEO spots. And in middle management, women sat in only 40% of managers' chairs despite accouting for 50% of the workforce. Yet there are clear reasons why companies should eagerly look to promote women and ensure they're engaged. What are the benefits of women in leadership? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Lydia Adams, vice president, marketing & communications at Personiv, discusses the benefits of having women in leadership roles. What we talked about with Lydia: -Facts and figures about women in leadership positions -Why more women in leadership improves a group's problem-solving abilities -Why female leaders are more trusted -The changes Millennial and Gen Z women could bring to the workplace -...And the dollar benefits a company can realize by expanding the number of women in leadership roles! by CFO Weekly

18 min listen

Advice From a Young CFO: Getting to the Top and Making Your Mark w/ Dustin Prager: What does it take to make it to the C-Suite? While there are certainly a well documented array of innate skills that most C-level execs seem to possess, what makes a less seasoned (read: younger than most!) individual stand out? How does someone young and hungry get the attention and credibility to fly up the ladder? Dustin Prager, CFO at Olympic Companies in Minnetonka, Minnesota sits down to discuss his experience going from Controller to CFO much earlier in his career than his peers. What we talked about: -How to set yourself apart -Taking chances and being bold -Leading with the lessons in mind For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorite podcast player! Presented by Personiv by CFO Weekly

31 min listen

Building a Better Relationship Between Finance and Operations: Finance has become more and more strategic in driving the high level vision and direction of companies across nearly every industry. We’ve seen a huge increase in the way that CFOs interact with and support the various lines of business, particularly with the operations teams. But how do finance teams make the importance of what they do understandable to those in the operations teams? How can the teams work together to drive the strategic vision of the company? How do finance and operations work avoid being a hindrance to one another and become a collaborative effort instead? On this week’s episode of CFO Weekly, our guest is Charles Liu. Charles is the EVP and Head of Finance for Hawke Media, a full-service marketing consulting firm based in Los Angeles, working with clients all over the world. Our conversation centered around: How finance can foster a better relationship with the operations teams Why communication can by CFO Weekly

21 min listen

Scouting for Accounting Talent w/ Cliff Edwards: Who looks at accounting as a sexy profession? During a booming economy, not many people do. But when the economy tanks, well...everyone knows you can get a job if you have an accounting degree. In fact, accountants are more and more in demand. How has accounting changed in the last few years? Why is there a shortage? And what makes a top-dollar accountant, anyway? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast, Cliff Edwards, CEO and majority shareholder of Thomas Edwards Group, talks about scouting for accounting talent What we talked about with Cliff: -How the accounting profession and the talent in it have changed in the last 20 years -What's caused the shortage in accounting talent -The factors that motivate Millennials and the qualities Millennials bring to the workplace -...And the skills you need to be an amazing accountant! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorite podcast p by CFO Weekly

32 min listen

Want to Know Your Business Better? Spend Time on the Front Lines w/ Brent Chadwick: It might seem strange to go from working at a nationally recognized auditing firm like PricewaterhouseCoopers to a small regional convenience store chain. One day you’re overseeing huge audits of Fortune100 companies, the next you’re pouring over the financials of your convenience store chain, dealing with nearly 100% annual employee turnover. But our guest on this week’s episode of CFO weekly did just that. Brent Chadwick is the CFO of Plaid Pantry, which is a small chain of convenience stores primarily situated in the Portland metro area. But it’s what Brent did upon his arrival at Plaid Pantry that we really hit on in this interview, because he didn’t operate like a traditional CFO. On this episode, we talk all about: -Brent’s first few weeks as CFO at Plaid Pantry, and why he decided to spend them working in the stores instead of the office. -How he was able to streamline a number of things tha by CFO Weekly

34 min listen

Social Impact Companies w/ Julian Love: These days, it’s more important than ever before for companies to have some form of social impact. We don’t need to look any further than the companies that came out and took a strong stand for the Black Lives Matter movement, or the negative impact on the companies that stayed quiet. Customers are paying attention to what companies are saying and doing, or not saying and doing, and particularly the younger generations are wanting to feel like the companies they’re doing business with are committed to making the world a better place. But how does a company both deliver value to its shareholders and make a positive social impact at the same time? Is that even possible? Or are the two mutually exclusive? On this episode of the CFO Weekly podcast we talk with Julian Love, Chief Business Officer at St. HOPE, an organization whose mission is to transform Oak Park Sacramento through public education & economic development. We talked about: -What a s by CFO Weekly

17 min listen

From Big Companies to Small: The CFO Role Unpacked w/Jeff Lasher: As we all navigate our way through our careers in the finance world, many of us may find ourselves moving from large companies to smaller ones, or small companies back to larger companies. And few things can be as jarring and hard to deal with on a professional level as moving from one to the other. You get used to certain cultural norms in one, and then you move to the other and find that you feel completely out of place. On this week’s episode of CFO Weekly, we talked with Jeff Lasher. Jeff is the Chief Financial Officer at Coravin, and has held a number of different leadership positions at a number of different sized companies, from small companies to companies like Ford Motor Company. Our conversation touched on: The most challenging and rewarding parts of moving from large to small companies Advice for successfully transitioning from one to the other What he looks for in building a successful team Why mentorshi by CFO Weekly

39 min listen

Earning a Seat at the Strategic Table w/ Steven Nutt, CPA: You’ve seen the stereotypes. CFOs are nerds. They’re calculator jockeys, sitting in the corner with their pencils and spreadsheets, holed up away from people, making the numbers work. And while a CFO does need to be an accounting expert, they’re so much more than that. On a recent episode of CFO Weekly, got to talk with Steven Nutt, CPA about the ever-evolving role of the CFO. We talked all about: -The ever changing role of the CFO -Why the CFO should be the ultimate data champion -Why data is more important than ever before For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorite podcast player! Presented by Personiv by CFO Weekly

35 min listen

Thinking Strategically to Get to the Top: Practical Advice on How to Make the Transition from CFO to President w/ Gene Corvino: It takes a special breed to go from CFO to CEO. Luckily, there are core competencies you can develop in order to be the best CEO your company has ever seen! In this episode of CFO Weekly, Gene Corvino — Sr. VP and CFO at Southern Diversified Distributors and President at William M. Bird — joins Megan to talk about 7 CEO competencies and how to develop them. Plus, Gene covers… -His 4 pillars of discovery that he operates within -How genuineness and meaningfulness have supported his success in work and life -His process for developing the soft skills necessary for being CEO -Why CFOs should transfer their skill for managing risk over to the CEO’s seat Brought to you by Personiv! For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player! by CFO Weekly

40 min listen

From Reseller to Manufacturer: What You Need to Know w/ Rick Mills: One of the biggest challenges a company can face is making the transition from being a reseller to a manufacturer. To go from simply putting your logo on someone else’s product and selling it, and actually manufacturing your own product. With the transition comes a lot of challenges, but also a lot of benefits. Like most things, it’s a decision that really requires you to carefully assess your company and whether or not you can efficiently make the transition. That’s why on this week’s episode of CFO Weekly, we talked with Rick Mills. Rick is the Chief Financial Officer at Headsets.com, and our discussion centered around his company’s decision to move from being a reseller of product to a manufacturer. What led to the decision to make the transition? What were the challenges? What were the benefits? How has COVID impacted their company?For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify by CFO Weekly

15 min listen

Being a CFO at a PE Backed Company: What You Should Know w/ Kerem Bolukbasi: If you’ve ever moved from a large corporation to a smaller company, say startup, or even a mid-sized company, you know how difficult that transition can be. It can be hard moving from a big company to a private-equity backed company. Especially as a CFO. The skill sets needed to be a CFO at a FOrtune 500 company are likely going to look very different than those needed for a boot-strap startup, or even a mid-sized company. So if you’re looking at making a change, it can be hard to know where to begin, or if you’ll be a good fit. On this episode of CFO Weekly, we talked with Kerem Bolukbasi. Kerem is the EVP and Chief Financial Officer at Exactech, and during our conversation we talked all about, among other things, what makes a PE backed company an attractive role for a CFO, the leadership skills required to succeed at a PE backed company, and how the role of a CFO differs from large companies to these smalle by CFO Weekly

33 min listen

Unpacking the Latest Deloitte CFO SignalsTM Survey w/ Steve Gallucci: Every quarter, Deloitte publishes the CFO Signals Survey. It’s a survey of some of the best and brightest financial executives in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and its purpose is to gain some insight into how they’re feeling about the direction of the economy, trends they see in their respective industries, and projections of the future state of finance. It’s a report full of fascinating insights, trends, and projections, and you can download the Q3 high-level report here. On this episode of CFO Weekly, we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Steve Gallucci, who is a managing partner at Deloitte, to talk all about -The results of the quarterly CFO survey -When CFOs think the economy may start to bounce back -Some of the industry shifts that have been driven by the COVID-19 pandemic For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple or Spotify or your favorite podcast by CFO Weekly

16 min listen

Staffing Firms: The Benefits, Challenges & Reasons for Using One w/ Steve Casey: On this episode of CFO Weekly, we’re talking all about staffing firms. Everybody seems to have an opinion on staffing firms, but at the same time, most companies in America have employed the use of a staffing firm at some point in their history. Why? What are the benefits of working with a staffing firm? Why is it a good idea, especially for the small to midsize companies? And what are the challenges that come along with a staffing agency? This episode features Steve Casey, the Sr. Director of Business Development at Personiv. Steve spent over 25 years of his career working in talent acquisition spaces, so he brings an extreme amount of knowledge and experience to this conversation. We talked about: Steve’s background in staffing and what led him to be so passionate about recruiting The benefits of using a staffing agency, as well as the challenges The difference between staffing and outsourcingFor mo by CFO Weekly

36 min listen

The Life and Career of a Controller: What You Need to Know w/Coulson Painter: One of the great things about the CFO Weekly podcast is getting to talk with people with different backgrounds. People who have taken unique paths to get to the place they are today. And the latest episode of CFO Weekly is no exception. In this latest episode, we talk with Coulson Painter. Coulson is the Vice President and Corporate Controller at Caliber, a real estate private equity fund asset manager in Phoenix. Our conversation centered around the unique trait of being a controller who got their start specializing in tax at the start of his career, how that has helped him as a controller, advice for someone new to the controller role, and so much more. For more interviews from the CFO Weekly podcast, check us out on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player! Presented by Personiv https://insights.personiv.com/cfo-weekly Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for by CFO Weekly

48 min listen

Managing Working Capital During Unpredictable Times w/ Peter Woolery: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented levels of disruption and uncertainty for companies across all sectors and geographies. And even in the best of times, many management teams struggle to sustain good control over short term cash flows and the working capital that drives them. However, the COVID-19 crisis has been unique in its combination of challenges, making mitigation even more complex. How are businesses dealing with the changes in supply chain, alterations and disruptions to cash flow, and ensuring that their suppliers, vendors, and customers are going to remain financially viable? On this episode of CFO Weekly, we sit down with Peter Woolery. Peter is the Chief Financial Officer at Summit Bicycles, and began his career with the company cleaning floors, toilets, and assembling kid’s bicycles for the holidays, working his way all the way to the executive team. Our conversion centered around: His j by CFO Weekly

26 min listen

Going from a Startup to a Mature Company: The Do’s & Don’ts w/ Olga Shevorenkova: A lot of startups are facing a conundrum today when it comes to securing funding and raising capital. They’re finding that they don’t fit perfectly into a single vertical industry. This creates some friction when it comes to pitching to investors, and convincing them that your company is worth their investment. Maybe you’re an infrastructure company who’s focused on technology, which causes the tech investors to view you as too boring for an investment, and the infrastructure companies to view you as too high of a risk. So what do you do as a CFO looking to raise capital, and take your company from a startup to a successful established company? What are the pitfalls, and what should you avoid? What should you be focusing on? On this episode of CFO Weekly, we sit down with Olga Shevorenkova. Olga is the Chief Financial Officer at EVgo. EVgo is a builder, owner, & operator of fast-charging infrastructur by CFO Weekly

26 min listen

Emotional Intelligence and the High Performing Team w/ Larry Chillemi: As we press on through the COVID pandemic, the remote work lifestyle is becoming more and more of a permanent reality for a growing number of people. Several large companies have moved to a permanent remote workforce, or at least allowed their employees the choice of whether they want a traditional working situation, or to remain working from home. And in the midst of all of this uncertainty, it’s more important than ever before to keep your high performing teams motivated, connected, and inspired. But how do you do that? What does it take to keep a high performing team operating at peak efficiency while working remotely? On this episode of The CFO Weekly, we talk to Larry Chillemi. Larry is the Chief Financial Officer at Grow West, and our conversation centered around -The importance of emotional intelligence -Keeping your high performing teams motivated -Tips for showing appreciation and recognition to your tea by CFO Weekly

37 min listen

Invest Where It Matters w/Magdalena Cleveland: Change is constant, and it’s tough to decide where the energy in your business is best spent. That’s why we sat down to discuss strategic investment and change management with Magdalena Cleveland, VP of Accounting and Finance at BLVCKDOT LLC. What we talked about: - Magdalena’s career journey and what BLVCKDOT has to offer - Why you shouldn’t change more than one major system at a time - Is the five-year-plan still a relevant question? - Magdalena’s learnings through seeking operational improvements - Deciding which projects deserve investment, and why automation isn’t always the answer - Pulling in the right people and overcoming resistance Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Magdalena’s LinkedIn profile - BLVCKDOT LLC’s website - Personiv’s website - Domo (analytics platform) - Tableau (analytics platform) - Power BI by Microsoft For more interviews from the CFO Week by CFO Weekly

48 min listen

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Becoming a Superboss and Building Stronger Companies w/ Sydney Finkelstein

Becoming a Superboss and Building Stronger Companies w/ Sydney Finkelstein

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