Beyond the Budget | For SaaS CFOs

On this episode of "Beyond the Budget," we're hanging out with Quentin de lambert, the Co-founder, COO & CFO of the company, Rzilient. Ever wondered what it's like to convince investors during a financial crunch or how to handle a CEO disagreement? Quentin's got some great stories for us! Plus, he chats about how his love for sports almost took him down a different path, and he drops some solid advice he wishes he could've told his younger self. Dive in with us and get a front-row seat to the life and insights of a modern CFO. Let's get into it!

• Dreams Beyond Finance: Discover Quentin de lambert's childhood dreams of becoming a sports professional and how they shape his view on ambition and determination in life and business.
• The Power of Passion: Quentin's candid take on the importance of genuine passion in sports and business. He shares the pitfalls of pursuing something solely because of external pressures and how passion can be a significant driving force.
• Resilience in Failure: Learn from Quentin's perspective on viewing failures as mere stepping stones and the significance of pushing oneself, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
• Career Fluidity: Dive into Quentin's thoughts on the evolving nature of careers in the modern age. Understand why he believes that staying static in one position might become a thing of the past, emphasizing the benefits of versatility in a professional journey.
• The Role of AI and Tools: Hear Quentin's insights on how technological advancements, especially in AI, are revolutionizing careers, providing opportunities to venture into diverse roles and capacities in one's professional life.

In this episode of Beyond the Budget, Tony Shafar, an Executive & Business Coach and Portfolio CFO, takes us on a journey through his personal and professional experiences. Tony candidly shares his struggles with transitioning to working for himself, reflecting on the pressures he faced and the courage needed to forge his own path. Through his unique insights, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of not only what it means to pursue a career in coaching and consulting but also the profound pursuit of true contentment and happiness.

Drawing inspiration from books like "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl, Tony delves into the complex relationship between circumstances, control, and personal well-being, painting a picture of resilience and self-awareness that goes beyond mere professional success. Join us as Tony explores these concepts and reveals how they've shaped his approach to life and business.

• Transitioning Challenges: Discover Tony's personal experience in shifting from a traditional career to working for himself, and the emotional challenges and uncertainties he faced along the way.
• Pursuit of Contentment: Learn about Tony's quest for true contentment, beyond temporary happiness, and how this personal journey has impacted both his professional life and his approach to coaching.
• Redefining Success and Happiness: Explore Tony's unique perspective on success and happiness, where he emphasizes that circumstances do not dictate our contentment, but rather our response to them does.
• The Ups and Downs of Coaching: Gain insights into the realities of a career in coaching and consulting, with an honest look at the fluctuating nature of the business and the need to embrace the journey.
• Inspiration from Victor Frankl: Delve into the profound influence of "Man's Search for Meaning" on Tony's philosophy, and how he applies its lessons about resilience and control of one's thoughts even in dire circumstances.

Give Tony a follow on LinkedIn and check out www.shafarcoaching.com

Today's guest is Sabrina Castiglione, Chief Operating Officer at Pento, known for her unique approach and achievements as CFO at Tessian. Sabrina's journey is marked by intriguing contrasts, navigating both analytical worlds of Chemistry and finance while embracing her love for fantasy, evident in her fascination with the Wheel of Time series and collection of Lord of the Rings swords. Her professional path includes developing an original puzzle game and joining Tessian as its seventh employee, showcasing her willingness to explore uncharted territories.

Sabrina's leadership style values healthy, productive conflict, honed during her experience leading a team that grew from seven to ninety-five members in two years, emphasizing the importance of adaptation and specialization. Beyond her professional success, Sabrina is an ardent advocate for diversity and equality, actively participating in the WISE Campaign to promote women in STEM careers. Her blend of analytical acumen, empathy, and connection make her a unique and inspiring CFO, proving that finance leaders can be diverse and multidimensional, both personally and professionally.

• Learn about Sabrina Castiglione's unique journey, bridging the analytical worlds of chemistry and finance with her love for fantasy.
• Explore how Sabrina embraced her individuality, from her emo kid style to her professional risk-taking, including developing and monetizing a unique puzzle game.
• Discover her leadership philosophy around fostering healthy, productive conflict, especially relevant while managing rapid team growth from seven to ninety-five in two years.
• Get insights into Sabrina's transition from a generalist to a specialist, a key learning from her time at Tessian.
• Understand Sabrina's advocacy for diversity, equality, and empathy, exemplified by her involvement with the WISE Campaign and her unique approach to promoting fiction reading as a means of understanding different perspectives.

Give Sabrina a follow on LinkedIn

In this episode, we're excited to host Sam Sippl, the esteemed CFO of ServicePower. Sam draws us into his world outside the office, discussing the balance between his calming pastime of caring for bonsai trees, and his passion for super cars like Porsches. But it's not all about hobbies - Sam also shares invaluable wisdom for those aspiring to leadership roles.

Sam stresses the importance of effective communication, confident decision-making, and empowering others. These aspects, according to Sam, are crucial to ascend from controller ship roles to leadership positions. Tune in to this episode to hear Sam's unique journey from Minnesota to corporate leadership in California, and the lessons he's learned along the way.

• Introduction of Sam Sippl, his background growing up in Minnesota, and an overview of his hobbies, particularly bonsai trees and driving Porsches.
• Deep dive into Sam's engagement with his hobbies, focusing on the lessons he learns from each and how he applies these lessons in his professional life.
• Discussion about the importance of effective written communication in today's professional environment, particularly in email, which consumes a significant portion of the workday.
• A shift to the topic of leadership and the qualities that distinguish leaders from others in the workplace, with a specific focus on confident decision-making.
• Exploration of Sam's strategy in empowering his team members, his advocacy for an environment of autonomy, and his belief in nurturing his team's ability to make confident decisions.
• Analysis of the importance of being a solution provider and decision maker to progress into a leadership role.
• Sam's advice on maintaining balance between making independent decisions and fostering team involvement in the decision-making process.

Give Sam a follow on LinkedIn

Daniëlle Keeven sits down with CJ Gustafson, the multi-faceted CFO of PartsTech and the creator of the business newsletter Mostly Metrics. As the conversation unravels, CJ sheds light on the importance of industry-specific benchmarks and how broad benchmarks can sometimes be misleading. He delves into his personal motivations, sharing how his daily running routine and innate curiosity drive him to excel in his role.

Furthermore, CJ offers a glimpse into his journey, reflecting on how his passion for understanding business metrics led him to his current position. Not stopping there, he challenges the stereotypical image of CFOs and emphasizes the evolving nature of the role. With CJ’s insights, listeners are bound to learn the intricacies of meaningful financial analysis and the dynamic responsibilities of a modern CFO.

• CJ Gustafson discusses how broad benchmarks can give false signals and emphasizes the importance of industry-specific benchmarks.
• CJ shares his motivations for showing up to work every day, mentioning his love for running and the energy and curiosity it brings to his professional life.
• He reflects on his journey, highlighting how his passion for understanding financial models and metrics led him to his current role.
• CJ talks about always having an underdog mentality and how past experiences have driven him to constantly seek self-validation in his achievements.
• He mentions his dedication to writing for almost two years without an audience and how he takes the process of documenting his work seriously.
• CJ brings up how business can be fun and how he doesn't like when people act overly superior or try to put others down.
• He challenges the common assumptions about CFOs, joking about the stereotype of them wearing ugly shoes, and underscores how their roles have evolved beyond bean-counting to become integral in company performance.
• CJ introduces the concept of CFO as Chief Performance Officer, attributing this evolution to better tools and metrics being available.
• He advises CFOs on being financial storytellers by understanding what makes their company exciting, positioning it as a category leader, and involving customers in that story.

Give CJ a follow on Twitter and LinkedIn.

In this episode of Beyond the Budget, join host Daniëlle Keeven as she engages with Katrina Nacci, a proficient CPA and Cross-Border Transactional Accounting Advisor who is revolutionizing the realm of cross-border accounting and reporting. Delve into how Katrina seamlessly blends practical hands-on experience with in-depth technical knowledge to provide a first-class service.

Discover why her unique approach, which involves working remotely and asynchronously across different time zones and cultures, enables businesses to execute transactions efficiently without incurring excessive costs. Moreover, Katrina sheds light on the importance of staff training and knowledge transfer in cross-border transactions. Tune in to hear her insights, and learn why, despite possessing the skills and experience to become a CFO, she chooses a different path.

• Katrina Nacci discusses the importance of combining practical hands-on experience with strong technical knowledge in cross-border accounting and reporting.
• She explains that clients usually rely on big accounting firms for cross-border transactions, but those firms often lack practical industry experience that she has.
• She elaborates on how she adapts to working across different cultures and time zones, and how her approach can seamlessly integrate with a company’s operations.
• Katrina emphasizes that her involvement also serves as a training exercise for the client's staff, who gain valuable knowledge from her expertise.
• She explains that while she has the skills and experience to become a CFO, she doesn't find it appealing as she prefers to specialize in cross-border transactions.
• She reflects on her personal journey and how her career has enabled her to appreciate her roots and family in Rhode Island.
• She imparts wisdom about being patient and adaptable, and how gaining experience and resilience allows one to face challenges effectively.

Give Katrina a follow on LinkedIn.

David Tuck, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mayday, join us for an enlightening discussion that ventures beyond the traditional realm of finance. David’s delves into the importance of collaboration between the CEO and CFO and how, especially in his case, they can overlap. He began his career selling pine-cones (no joke) and then had real world experience with the Enron scandal. Moreover, you won't want to miss the intriguing connection David draws between finance and cinema, as he creatively coins “The Pierce Brosnan Problem”.

Through his visionary perspective, David also discusses how CFOs can drive innovation and tackle operational challenges, while ensuring ethical practices and financial sustainability. Be prepared to uncover a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom that is certain to redefine the way you perceive the roles of CFOs and CEOs in the modern business landscape.

• David Tuck introduces himself as the Co-Founder and CEO of Mayday and briefly outlines his career trajectory.
• David elaborates on how the CEO and CFO should work together, likening it to a marriage and the need for alignment in goals and values.
• The discussion shifts to David describing the consequences of a disconnect between CEO and CFO, with a focus on Enron as personal experience.
• David introduces the concept of the "Pierce Brosnan Problem" as an analogy to explain how CFOs can sometimes be seen only for their glamorous aspects and not for the substance they bring to the table.
• He emphasizes the importance of the CFO role in driving innovation and ensuring a company stays relevant by adapting to market changes.
• The conversation turns to the operational side, where David explains how CFOs play an integral role in making companies efficient and sustainable.
• They discuss how CFOs are no longer just "number crunchers", but are vital in strategizing and providing insights for decision-making.
• David highlights the importance of ethics in finance, drawing attention to how CFOs have a responsibility to uphold moral standards and practices.
• The interview wraps up with David sharing insights on how the future of finance is expected to evolve and the evolving roles and responsibilities of a CFO.

Give David a follow on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Ashley Jones Lee is an accomplished finance professional with a deep-seated passion for the intersection of technology and finance. A diligent individual, Ashley pursued a dual degree in Accounting and Finance during her college years, embarking on her journey with an explorative approach. Her career, marked by her diverse roles in corporate accounting, tax, and corporate finance, reflects her pursuit of variety and strategic, forward-looking work.

Ashley's interest in becoming a CFO guided her professional decisions, and she ardently believes in continuous self-improvement. Her tenure at Xerox played a pivotal role in shaping her ability to balance detail-oriented tasks with an understanding of the bigger picture, an essential skill for her leadership role. Ashley is a seasoned professional in managing remote teams, a practice she adopted long before it became a global norm. With her unique insights and strategies, she promotes a cohesive and inclusive work culture.

• Introduction and background of Ashley Jones Lee, discussing her early interests and career in accounting and finance.
• Discussion about Ashley's experiences working at the intersection of finance and technology, highlighting her love for learning and interest in the behind-the-scenes work involved in SaaS.
• Ashley's reflection on her transition from accounting roles to corporate finance, detailing her preference for a more forward-looking and strategic approach to finance.
• Explanation of Ashley's career goal to become a CFO, describing how she made career decisions based on this goal
• Ashley's philosophy on continuous self-improvement and her belief that there's always room for growth and improvement.
• Overview of Ashley's time at Xerox, where she had to make tough decisions and learned to balance the details with the big picture, short-term with long-term needs.
• Ashley's experience and expertise in managing remote teams, offering guiding principles for a successful remote work culture.
• Discussion about work-life balance in the context of remote work, with Ashley sharing some personal indicators that signal when it's time to recalibrate.
• Ashley's parting advice to be true to oneself, to choose one's own path, and to not be afraid to take chances and be creative in one's career.

Give Ashley a follow on LinkedIn.

Elaine Bogart is a champion of a finance executive, whose journey to the role of CFO has been characterized by stops working for American Top 40, marketing events, and even the circus. Her passion for understanding processes, tackling challenges, and learning about new technologies has given her the tools to succeed in various capacities. Starting her career in various finance roles, she eventually stepped up as the CFO of P3, a third-party logistics company, before it was acquired by Deluxe.

Her insights into the CFO role emphasize the multifaceted nature of the job, highlighting that it's not just about crunching numbers, but also overseeing various aspects such as human resources, operations, and legal compliance, while carrying the fiduciary responsibility to keep the company safe. Despite the misconception that CFOs are solely number-oriented and unapproachable, Bogart underlines the interpersonal skills and proactive problem-solving mentality required for the role.

• Hollywood Beginnings: Elaine Bogart discusses her time growing up in the LA area including nearly beginning her career as a Hollywood star.
• American Top 40: Elaine's first job was not in finance at all and she would follow a circuitous route to the CFO title.
• CFO as the Organizational Caretaker: Elaine debunks CFO stereotypes, stressing their role as integral to various organizational departments and overall company health.
• Foreseeing Challenges: Elaine highlights the importance of strategic foresight and risk management in the CFO's role to preemptively tackle potential issues.
• Addressing Workforce Reductions: Elaine navigates the complex topic of workforce reductions, emphasizing the collective, considerate decision-making process behind such difficult choices.
• Importance of Process and Career Choices: Elaine discusses the significance of processes and how her diverse, curiosity-driven career choices have shaped her role as a CFO.
• Future Aspirations and Advice for CFOs: In the final segment, Elaine shares her future ambitions and provides advice to aspiring CFOs, highlighting the expansive and engaging nature of the role.

Give Elaine a follow on LinkedIn.

Hassaan Ahmad is a seasoned financial executive currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of WTFast. Possessing a unique blend of experience and insight, Ahmad navigates the challenging landscapes of tech startups with a multi-faceted approach. He wears several hats, managing core accounting functions, forecasting future financial trends, managing cash flow, and addressing investor expectations. A risk-taker at heart, Ahmad believes in embracing change and maintaining balance in life's highs and lows. His dynamic career journey, which spans different economic cultures and market challenges, underpins his empathetic approach to understanding customer needs in various global regions.

Hassaan is an experienced CFO, specializing in early-stage and tech startups. He has served as the CFO of wtfast, where he implements internal control systems and KPI monitoring. His diverse experience spans strategic financial consulting, overseeing financial management for a nano-materials startup, advising startups at FasterCapital, and managing a significant credit portfolio in corporate banking at HBL - Habib Bank Limited. He began his career at PwC.

• Introduction and Background: Hassaan Ahmad's role as a CFO at an early-stage tech company and his approach to various responsibilities.
• The Dual Role of a CFO: Discussion on managing both current financial health and future financial planning, and the challenge of resource allocation in a startup.
• Investor Relations: Insights into managing investor expectations and the continuous fundraising process for early-stage tech companies.
• Life Lessons from an Unconventional Career: Ahmad shares his philosophy on choosing battles, embracing failure, and the importance of maintaining hope.
• Global Market Challenges: Ahmad's realization about disparities in customer challenges across different regions, inspired by his personal experience of trying to buy an album in the '90s.
• Balance in Life: Ahmad discusses his methods of decompressing and maintaining balance (we get pretty insightful here).
• Conclusion: Ahmad reflects on the importance of being ready to embrace opportunities and the thrill of navigating the ups and downs of life and career.

Give Hassaan a follow on LinkedIn and Twitter.