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 / Mostly Metrics

💡Noteworthy: CJ Gustafson: M&A consultant turned CFO, private equity expert, startup growth driver.

💡Where to find CJ: LinkedIn

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

💡Noteworthy: Kristian Marquez: From billion-dollar IPO participant to telemedicine startup co-founder.

💡Where to find Kristian: LinkedIn 

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

💡Noteworthy: Todd Spartz: 30 years in Silicon Valley, from semiconductor manufacturing to enterprise SaaS.

💡Where to find Todd: LinkedIn

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

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
💡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

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts a deep dive into strategic finance with Bijan Moallemi and Joe Garafalo, co-founders of Mosaic. The trio unpacks the evolving landscape of business and the increasing complexity that demands more from finance professionals.

Joe emphasizes the importance of investing in finance functions, especially in today's economy. He illustrates how strategic finance operates in real time, allowing businesses to know exactly where they stand and where they're heading. This proactive approach enables teams to assess ROI on significant expenditures and make informed decisions.

Bijan and Joe also discuss the shift in planning from a structured, periodic process to a continuous one. They liken traditional finance to driving with the headlights off, while strategic finance provides clear visibility and direction. The conversation concludes with insights on the value of AI in finance and its potential to save time and drive progress.

Tune in to The Role Forward for a comprehensive understanding of strategic finance and its role in shaping successful businesses.

Guests-at-a-Glance

💡 Name: Bijan Moallemi / Joe Garafalo

💡What they do: Co-Founder and CEO / Co-Founder and COO

💡Company: Mosaic

💡Noteworthy: Joe is an experienced finance professional and the COO of Mosaic, a strategic finance platform. He has a deep understanding of the finance industry and is passionate about leveraging AI to enhance financial operations and decision-making.

As the CEO of Mosaic, Bijan is a strong advocate for strategic finance. He believes in the power of storytelling in finance and emphasizes the importance of translating complex financial data into understandable information to drive strategic decision-making.

💡 Where to find them: 

• Bijan: LinkedIn 
• Joe: LinkedIn

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts a deep dive into the world of venture funding. The guests — Joe Garafalo, Marissa Moore, and Eugene Lee — share their insights and experiences.

The conversation revolves around the importance of good financial modeling practices, the current state of venture funding, and the future outlook. The guests also discuss the importance of understanding the customer base, assessing risks, and the role of metrics in investor conversations.

The episode concludes with advice for companies planning to raise funds in the future. The key takeaways include the need to build relationships with investors, the importance of adaptability, and the value of clearly understanding future expectations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in venture funding and financial modeling.

Guests-at-a-Glance
💡 Names:  Joe Garafalo / Marissa Moore / Eugene Lee

💡What they do: Co-Founder and COO / Investor / Principal

💡Company: Mosaic / OMERS Ventures / OMERS Ventures

💡Noteworthy: Joe is a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong background in strategic finance. He's known for his deep understanding of financial modeling and venture funding. Marissa is a self-proclaimed numbers nerd with a passion for financial models. She started her career on Wall Street and has since worked in equity research and private market research. She's known for her project, the Green Room, a platform for founders to practice their pitches in front of real VC investors. Eugene started his career in M&A banking and has since worked in various roles in startups, including being part of two founding teams. He's known for his expertise in analyzing key drivers and metrics to help scale businesses.

💡 Where to find them: 

• Joe: LinkedIn
• Marissa: LinkedIn (and check out The Green Room, a safe space for founders to practice their pitch, risk free, in front of current investors and subject matter experts. 
• Eugene: LinkedIn

In this episode of The Role Forward, host Joe Michalowski brings together a panel of industry leaders for a Q&A-style discussion. The guests include Bijan Moallemi, Co-Founder and CEO at Mosaic, Chauncey Kerr Hamilton, Partner at XYZ, and Jeron Paul, CEO of Spiff. The conversation revolves around board management, investor communications, and effective strategies for keeping the board up to speed.

The panelists delve into the intricacies of board meetings, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and understanding the 'why' behind business numbers. They also discuss the CFO's role in maintaining great attention to detail and the need to elevate conversations to a digestible level for the board. The discussion further explores the importance of building relationships with board members and the value of regular communication outside of board meetings.

The episode concludes with a lively discussion on the format of board reports and the benefits of using templates like the one provided by Mosaic. The panelists share their experiences and insights, providing valuable advice for businesses at different stages. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their board management and investor communication strategies.

Guests-at-a-Glance
💡 Name: Bijan Moallemi, Chauncey Kerr Hamilton, and Jeron Paul
💡What they do: Co-Founder and CEO / Partner / CEO
💡Company: Mosaic / XYZ Venture Capital / Spiff
💡Noteworthy: Bijan is a former CFO with a knack for understanding the timing of cash and its relation to forecasts. Chauncey is a former Wired employee with strong relationships in PR and editorial, making her a strategic asset when these topics arise. Jeron is a proponent of healthy competition among board members and has seen the benefits of board members rolling up their sleeves to have a direct, tangible impact.
💡 Where to find them: Bijan: LinkedIn / Chauncey: LinkedIn / Jeron: LinkedIn 

In this episode of The Role Forward, host Joe Michalowski brings together a panel of industry leaders for a Q&A-style discussion. The guests include Bijan Moallemi, Co-Founder and CEO at Mosaic, Chauncey Kerr Hamilton, Partner at XYZ, and Jeron Paul, CEO of Spiff. The conversation revolves around board management, investor communications, and effective strategies for keeping the board up to speed.

The panelists delve into the intricacies of board meetings, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and understanding the 'why' behind business numbers. They also discuss the CFO's role in maintaining great attention to detail and the need to elevate conversations to a digestible level for the board. The discussion further explores the importance of building relationships with board members and the value of regular communication outside of board meetings.

The episode concludes with a lively discussion on the format of board reports and the benefits of using templates like the one provided by Mosaic. The panelists share their experiences and insights, providing valuable advice for businesses at different stages. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their board management and investor communication strategies.

Guests-at-a-Glance

💡 Name: Bijan Moallemi, Chauncey Kerr Hamilton, and Jeron Paul

💡What they do: Co-Founder and CEO / Partner / CEO 

💡Company: Mosaic / XYZ Venture Capital / Spiff

💡Noteworthy: Bijan is a former CFO with a knack for understanding the timing of cash and its relation to forecasts. Chauncey is a former Wired employee with strong relationships in PR and editorial, making her a strategic asset when these topics arise. Jeron is a proponent of healthy competition among board members and has seen the benefits of board members rolling up their sleeves to have a direct, tangible impact.

💡 Where to find them: Bijan: LinkedIn / Chauncey: LinkedIn / Jeron: LinkedIn 

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts Brian Campbell, the co-founder at Mosaic. The two delve deep into the world of strategic finance, discussing the challenges and solutions of handling high-volume data.

Brian shares his experience working with Stripe, a platform often used by B2C and product-led growth companies. He highlights the rigidity of billing systems and the difficulty of changing historical data. The conversation then shifts to the importance of data cleanliness and setting up efficient processes to make sense of billing data.

The podcast wraps up with Brian emphasizing that data will never be perfect. He encourages listeners to accept this reality and focus on setting up processes that ensure the best possible data quality. This episode is a must-listen for anyone dealing with high-volume data and looking to embrace strategic finance.

Guest-at-a-Glance

💡 Name: Brian Campbell
💡What he does: Co-Founder
💡Company: Mosaic
💡Noteworthy: Brian brings a wealth of experience in dealing with high-volume data as a strategic finance leader and product leader at Mosaic.
💡 Where to find Brian: LinkedIn