The Role Forward: A Strategic Finance Podcast

Breaking Down Annual Planning with CJ Gustafson of Mostly Metrics

In this episode of The Role Forward, host Joe Michalowski welcomes CJ Gustafson, CFO of PartsTech and the mind behind Mostly Metrics. They dive into the intricacies of annual planning, a critical period for finance professionals. CJ shares his unique journey from M&A consulting to private equity and finally to his current role, emphasizing the importance of understanding business models and resource allocation. The conversation shifts to the practical steps of strategic planning. CJ outlines a three-month timeline for annual planning, stressing the collaboration between CEOs and CFOs. He breaks down the process into digestible stages, focusing on setting realistic goals for revenue, productivity, and profitability. His approach demystifies the complexities of financial forecasting in the startup ecosystem. Joe and CJ also tackle the challenges of planning with incomplete data, advocating for a proactive start and the ability to adapt. CJ's insights offer valuable lessons on balancing ambition with the realities of startup finance, providing a blueprint for listeners navigating their own annual planning. Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Guest: CJ Gustafson 💡 What he does: CFO / Writer 💡Company: PartsTech [https://partstech.com/] / Mostly Metrics [https://www.mostlymetrics.com/] 💡Noteworthy: CJ Gustafson: M&A consultant turned CFO, private equity expert, startup growth driver. 💡Where to find CJ: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/]

Mapping the Path to Profitability with Kristian Marquez, CEO of FinStrat Management

In the latest episode of The Role Forward podcast, host Joe Michalowski sits down with Kristian Marquez, founder of FinStrat Management. Kristian shares his diverse journey in the finance sector, highlighting his experiences from being part of a billion-dollar IPO to the challenges faced in a telemedicine startup. The duo dives deep into the evolving landscape of startup profitability, especially for VC-backed ventures. They discuss the shifting paradigms from a growth-centric mindset to a more balanced approach that emphasizes cash preservation. Kristian introduces the "Rule of 40," a pivotal metric combining growth percentage with EBITDA margin, suggesting its significance in today's startup world. Towards the end, the conversation shifts to the potential of artificial intelligence. Kristian draws parallels between the dot-com era and the current AI wave, emphasizing its transformative power in boosting productivity and redefining the future of businesses. Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Kristian Marquez 💡 What he does: President and CEO 💡 Company: FinStrat Management [https://finstratmgmt.com/] 💡Noteworthy: Kristian Marquez: From billion-dollar IPO participant to telemedicine startup co-founder. 💡Where to find Kristian: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianmarquez/]

Exploring AI in Finance with Todd Spartz, CFO of LinkLive

In the latest episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski welcomes Todd Spartz, the CFO at LinkLive. Todd dives deep into his rich background in the tech world. From semiconductor equipment manufacturing to networking, and from web analytics to web advertising, Todd's journey is vast. As he transitioned to enterprise SaaS, he shares the insights and challenges faced, especially around the newest hottest topic - AI. For anyone keen on understanding the intricacies of the tech world and the journey of a seasoned professional like Todd, this episode is a must-listen. Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Todd Spartz 💡 What he does:  CFO 💡Company: LinkLive [https://linklive.ai/] 💡Noteworthy: Todd Spartz: 30 years in Silicon Valley, from semiconductor manufacturing to enterprise SaaS. 💡Where to find Todd: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tspartz/]

Getting the Best Out of Fractional CFO Services with Scot Mollot, CFO at Attivo Partners

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe and Scot dive into the world of fractional CFO services and the transition to in-house teams. They discuss the inflection points where companies outgrow fractional CFO services and the economic factors that drive the decision to hire in-house. The complexity of business activities and the need for a 24/7 finance team are key considerations. The conversation shifts to data infrastructure and the challenges early-stage companies face in building and tracking plans. They emphasize the importance of clean data and the role of systems and automation. Joe and Scot also explore the difficulties in integrating various systems and the value of data analysis in deriving meaningful insights. Scot shares his journey from startups to consulting and back, highlighting the growth and collaboration experiences. He explains the engagement process with companies, emphasizing the strategic value of starting with accounting before moving to more complex financial planning and analysis (FP&A). The episode concludes with insights into strategic projects and the path to growth. Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Scot Mollot 💡What they do: CFO 💡Company: Attivo Partners 💡Noteworthy: Expert in fractional CFO services, with a background in startups and consulting. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/smollot]

The Collaborative Finance Function with Zack McCarty, Director of FP&A at Qwick

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts Zack McCarty, Director of FP&A at Qwick. McCarty shares insights on the importance of collaborative planning and stakeholder buy-in in the food and beverage industry. He emphasizes the transformative power of basic financial information in driving valuable change within a company. McCarty discusses the challenges and strategies of planning for Qwick, a two-sided marketplace for on-demand staffing. He highlights the necessity of balancing the onboarding of workers and businesses, and the seasonal nature of their business. He also delves into the complexities of managing expenses across different departments, including marketing, sales, and engineering. Lastly, McCarty underscores the importance of transparency in financial information. However, he also cautions against the potential for misunderstanding or panic when context is not provided. The episode concludes with McCarty expressing excitement about the future as stakeholders seek deeper analytics and understanding of the fundamentals. Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Zack McCarty 💡What they do: Director of FP&A 💡Company: Qwick [https://www.qwick.com/] 💡Noteworthy: McCarty is an early member of Qwick, having served in various roles including Director of Marketing. He brings a unique perspective on the importance of financial transparency and collaborative planning in a rapidly evolving marketplace. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-mccarty/]