Abhijit Verekar on Why Most AI Pilots Fail: A Candid Look at Tech, Data, & ERP Reality

Laurent Marcelis "Beyond the P&L: Why CFOs Must Own Non-Financial Risk Reporting"

The CFO role is undergoing a significant transformation as non-financial risk reporting moves from a regulatory "tick-box" exercise to a core driver of enterprise value.  In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with Laurent Marcelis, CFO of Enhesa, to discuss why the finance function is the natural home for non-financial risk intelligence. As global regulations like the CSRD hit major corporations, Laurent explains how unmanaged non-financial risks, such as environmental, health, and safety exposures, can quietly erode company valuation—particularly during M&A due diligence and post-M&A integration.  This conversation offers a forward-thinking look at how CFOs can use non-financial data to move beyond simple compliance and create a strategic advantage in a fragmented global market. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p6o85g0iehc Dryrun is a powerful modeling tool that helps CFOs move beyond manual spreadsheets to gain clarity and control over cash flow and complex financial scenarios.  Visit dryrun.com to learn more. Learn about Enhesa at enhesa.com #CFO #FinanceLeadership #CSRD #SustainabilityReporting #RiskManagement #EHS #CorporateGovernance #FinFactor #BusinessStrategy #M&A

M&A Crime Scenes: Why 70% of Deals Fail and How CFOs Can Fix It

In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with 35-year CPA and M&A expert Holli Moeini to uncover the "crime scenes" that destroy deal value for mid-market companies. While many CEOs focus solely on revenue, Holli explains why the office of the CFO must look deeper into operational details, human judgment, and the "romance" between the P&L and the balance sheet to secure a successful exit. Blaine and Holli discuss why 70-80% of businesses fail to sell and how proactive cash flow forecasting, GAAP-compliant records, and strategic "add-backs" can bridge the gap between a standard multiple and a premium valuation. Whether you are on the buy-side or preparing for an eventual sale, this conversation provides a roadmap for navigating working capital hurdles, managing earnouts, and building a finance function that commands trust during due diligence. Dryrun is a powerful forecasting tool that helps CFOs eliminate manual spreadsheets and model complex cash flow scenarios with total clarity and control at dryrun.com. #CFO #MergersAndAcquisitions #CashFlow #FinanceLeadership #BusinessValuation #MandA #DryRun #FinFactor #InvestmentBanking #PrivateEquity

Humanoid Robotics & the CFO: Preparing for the $8/Hour Workforce

The office of the CFO is standing at the precipice of a "Great Transition." As AI and humanoid robotics evolve at light speed, the traditional metrics for capital allocation are being rewritten. In this episode of FinFactor, host Blaine Bertsch sits down with David Kilzer of Strategic Transformation Advisors to discuss why CFOs must look beyond short-term ROI and start preparing for a world of industrial-ready robotics. David shares his "Humanoid Readiness Quotient" framework, explaining how businesses can avoid the trap of depreciating "dead-end" assets and instead build a flexible backplane for the future. From the "3 Ds" of automation—Dirty, Dangerous, and Drudgery—to the projected $8/hour liquidated labor cost, this conversation is a roadmap for finance leaders who want to maintain a competitive edge without jeopardizing current operations. Key topics discussed: Why "lagging" or "leaping too fast" into AI both carry significant risks. The emergence of humanoid robots in companies like Hyundai and BMW. How to "sandbox" AI implementations to protect the core business from "hallucinations." Redefining capital allocation: Why a 2-year payback is the new gold standard. The future of autonomous logistics and the impact of the "virtuous cycle" on technology costs. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RSVFFRiBisw Dryrun provides finance leaders with a sophisticated, agile platform for predictive cash flow modeling and multi-scenario planning to replace the limitations of traditional spreadsheets. https://dryrun.com #CFO #FinanceTransformation #HumanoidRobotics #AIinBusiness #CashFlowForecasting #FinFactor #AutomationStrategy #CapitalAllocation #FutureOfWork

Fractional IT Leadership: Cut Tech Waste, Avoid Vendor Lock-In, Rescue Stalled ERP Projects

If you’re a CFO in a growing mid-market business, the real cost of “good enough” IT shows up fast: redundant software (shadow IT), unmanaged vendor renewals, expensive surprises, and tech projects that drift into scope creep and blown budgets.  In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Jared Leuschen of Blue Tree Technology Group to unpack what happens when organizations make big tech decisions without enough outside expertise—and how fractional IT leadership can bring clarity, control, and confidence without the full-time executive price tag. You’ll learn practical frameworks CFOs can use to build the business case for fractional IT leadership, tighten procurement to prevent vendor lock-in, and create a repeatable methodology for evaluating vendors—from requirements gathering and stakeholder alignment to shortlisting, negotiation, and accountability. Jared also shares the warning signs that a project is going sideways (lack of project management visibility, weak budget tracking, disengaged sponsors, unclear “why”), plus what to do before an ERP implementation becomes a costly write-off. Want better control over your cash flow while you make high-stakes decisions like these? Visit Dryrun.com to leave spreadsheets behind and forecast cash flow with clarity—then model scenarios with confidence. Connect with Jared at linkedin.com/in/jared-leuschen-b20195b Learn about Blue Tree Technology Group at bluetreetg.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/607zEgwEKe4 #CashFlowForecasting #CFO #ERPImplementation #ITStrategy #DigitalTransformation

Abhijit Verekar on Why Most AI Pilots Fail: A Candid Look at Tech, Data, & ERP Reality

In this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Abhijit Verekar, founder of Avero Advisors, to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in today’s tech landscape: that public agencies and large organizations can simply “buy AI” and transform overnight. AV breaks down why so many AI pilots fail, how legacy ERPs, siloed data, outdated infrastructure, and missing guardrails derail even the best intentions, and why the real work isn’t flashy—it’s foundational.  Together they explore how organizations can modernize responsibly, where spreadsheets actually outperform legacy green-screen systems, why vaporware is back, and how to design AI pilots that solve real problems without creating new ones.  If you’re a CFO or agency leader trying to make sense of AI amid tightening budgets, policy constraints, and messy data, this episode gives you the clarity and roadmap you need.  Visit Dryrun.com to modernize your cash flow forecasting and leave spreadsheets behind. #AIstrategy #GovernmentTechnology #PublicSectorInnovation #ERPmodernization #CFOInsights Connect with Abhijit at linkedin.com/in/verekar Learn about Avero Advisors at averoadvisors.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lmx0X3Kwyx0