Jim Kelliher, the former CFO of PTC, LogMeIn, and Drift, and general CFO legend in Boston, joins CJ to discuss the secrets behind the success of these companies and the lessons he’s learned in his 35-year career. From the importance of product investment to how to navigate IPOs during economic downturns, Jim shares profound insights into how CFOs can drive growth rather than just manage budgets. He explains the importance of investing in product, how to vet budget requests, and how to build a winning team spirit. He also talks about venture capital versus later-stage private equity buyouts and how the growing trend towards the latter is doing what Jim believes to be a disservice to the startup communities they operate within. If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Mercury is the fintech ambitious companies use for banking and all their financial workflows. With a powerful bank account at the center of their operations, companies can make better financial decisions and ensure that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities. That's why over 100K startups choose Mercury to confidently run all their financial operations with the precision, control, and focus they need to operate at their best. Learn more at mercury.com.Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust®; Members FDIC.Maxio is the only billing and financial operations platform that was purpose built for B2B SaaS. They're helping SaaS finance teams automate billing and revenue recognition, manage collections and payments, and put together investor grade reporting packages. ? Request a demo at www.maxio.com/runthenumbers for 10% off your first year.NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 37,000 thousand companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:29) Sponsor - Mercury | Maxio(05:13) The Six Things That Made PTC Software, LogMeIn, and Drift Succeed(13:05) The Importance of Investing in Product(18:26) Sponsor - NetSuite(19:52) Questions to Ask to Vet Budget Requests(21:39) Inspiring People to Spend Company Money Like It Was Their Own(22:55) The Difference Between Being Frugal and Being Cheap(26:45) How to Learn Negotiation(28:33) The Importance of Adding High-Caliber People to Your Team(30:26) Advice for CFOs Mentoring Future CFOs(32:21) Jim’s Proudest Career Achievement(33:51) Building a Winning Team Spirit(40:32) VC Versus PE Buyouts(48:43) Advice to CEOs or CFOs Vetting Private Equity Sponsors(55:00) Tips for Timing Your IPO(58:58) Two of Jim’s Biggest Career Mistakes(59:50) The Craziest Thing Jim Saw Someone Try to Expense(1:02:21) Wrap Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe