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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas, shares her extensive experience in financial transformation and project implementation. Learn how to ensure the success of your next financial transformation project by following best practices and avoiding common pitfalls.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• A refresher on Kotter’s Change Cycle and how it applies to financial transformation projects.
• Pre-implementation activities
• Insights on dealing with team resistance, capacity management, and team buy-in.
• Key phases of successful financial system implementation
• Training and testing tips to ensure smooth onboarding and successful adoption of new systems.
• The importance of data migration and how to ensure accuracy in your new system.
• How to navigate the go-live phase with a proactive approach and risk management.
• FAQs on common concerns like hiring external resources, testing schedules, and building super users.

Links mentioned:

• September FTL: Ensuring a Successful Finance Systems Implementation Project
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro speaks with Jeremy Earnshaw, Founding Director of Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring, about his journey from CFO to executive coach, and the soft skills crucial for senior finance leaders. Together, they explore how CFOs can navigate leadership challenges, stakeholder management, and complex financial situations.

Key topics covered in this episode include:.

• The transition from CFO to Executive Coach and Mentor, and the value of coaching for finance leaders.
• Managing stakeholder relationships, including high-powered investors and board members.
• The importance of clear, concise board presentations and how to manage differing stakeholder expectations.
• Real-life lessons from Jeremy’s experience with acquisitions, liquidity crises, and credit crunch challenges.
• Strategies for delivering both good and bad news effectively to stakeholders.
• The balance between supporting the CEO and fulfilling the role of a CFO, especially in challenging situations.

Links mentioned:

• Jeremy's Linkedin
• Learn more about Clarendon Executive Coaching and Mentoring

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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Join Hannah Munro, as she speaks with Josh Schenker, CFO of Aditude, about his journey in the world of strategy consulting, corporate development, and now scaling startups. In this episode of CFO 4.0, Josh shares his experience raising capital, navigating acquisitions, and the evolving role of the CFO.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons learned during the pandemic and how to target investors strategically.
• How Aditude evaluates and executes acquisitions, including key criteria for selecting target companies.
• A deep dive into the multi-faceted due diligence process for both buyers and sellers.
• Top Tips for CFOs: How to prepare for fundraising, acquisitions, and scaling operations.
• The importance of aligning people and culture during the M&A process.
• How to build processes that allow for seamless integration of new businesses.

Links mentioned:

• Josh's Linkedin
• Learn more about Aditude

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro highlights the common reasons why finance technology projects often fail. With insights from years of experience in financial transformation, Hannah shares real-world examples and practical advice to help you navigate your next project successfully.

Key topics covered include:

• How to avoid heading in the wrong direction by setting the right goals.
• Why breaking your project into manageable phases leads to better success.
• Why it’s essential to optimise your processes, not just automate them.
• Understanding how different attitudes towards change impact your project.
• Why clean data is critical for your project's success.

Links mentioned:

• Hannah's Linkedin
• Learn more about itas solutions

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro talks about the art of presenting a compelling business case for financial transformation. Whether you're aiming to gain executive buy-in or refine your strategy, this session is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

Key topics covered:

• Learn the essential components that make a business case compelling and effective.
• Explore the importance of justifying the need for transformation, especially in today's volatile environment.
• Discover how to present multiple options, including the risks of inaction, to ensure informed decision-making.
• Get insights on calculating the total cost of ownership and the importance of including resourcing costs in your proposal.
• Understand the benefits of a phased implementation approach and how to set realistic timelines and expectations.
• Learn how to identify and mitigate risks associated with financial transformation projects to build confidence in your plan.
• Find out how to plan out an effective technology implementation project and ensure a smooth transition.

Links mentioned:

• August FTL: Presenting The Business Case
• Revisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessions
• CFO 4.0 Monthly Briefing
• Financial Transformation Live Feedback survey
• Business Case Template

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Aaron Harris, Global CTO of Sage, to explore the transformative power of AI and technology in the finance sector.

This insightful conversation covers:

• How technology is shifting CFOs from record-keepers to strategic leaders.
• The role of AI in automating workflows and enabling digital transformation.
• How to ensure confidence in AI-driven systems
• Beyond AI, what other innovations are shaping the future of finance?
• The rise of digital networks and the global shift towards e-invoicing.
• Where AI excels and where human judgment remains crucial.

Links mentioned:

• Aaron’s Linkedin
• Learn more about Sage
• Sage’s report: The secrets of successful CFOs

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

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In this weeks episode of CFO 4.0, Hannah Munro sits down with Luigi Testa, CFO at LinkSquares, to discuss his journey and the incredible growth story of LinkSquares. Luigi shares his insights on transitioning into the CFO role, navigating funding rounds, and scaling the finance function within a rapidly growing company.

Key points covered:

• The importance of strategic finance skills over traditional accounting backgrounds in the CFO role.
• Insights into the Series A to Series C funding processes, including investor expectations and maintaining clean financials.
• Common challenges during rapid growth and the importance of resilience and problem-solving.
• Key financial metrics and unit economics crucial for SaaS companies and how they evolve.
• Strategies for hiring the right talent and balancing process and control with growth objectives.

Links mentioned:

• Luigi's Linkedin
• Learn more about LinkSquares
• Luigi’s Book Recommendation: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
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In this weeks episode of CFO 4.0 join Hannah Munro as she interviews Alex Ladd, CEO of Mindstream Analytics, Discover key insights and strategies for successful financial transformation projects.

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of customer involvement and realistic expectations.
• How to identify data issues through process evaluation rather than just data accuracy.
• The critical role of change management in the success of transformation projects.
• The importance of ongoing investment and seeing technology as a journey, not just a project.
• How performance management tools have evolved and the impact of AI and machine learning.
• The necessity of clear communication and setting expectations with all stakeholders.

Links mentioned:

• Alex's Linkedin
• Learn more about Mindstream Analytics

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!