Learn. Grow. Inspire. A podcast on Finance People, for Finance People, by Finance People. Celebrate the Profession and the Professionals in the world of Finance with Rohit Agarwal, Tech Entrepreneur, ex-CFO, and ex-investment banker. These unsung heroes mostly remain under the limelight but contribute tremendously towards company building. We endeavor to unpack their journeys to understand what moves them, get inspired by their triumphs, learn from their experiences, and, most of all, connec ...
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EP 032 - Building Procurement at Tech Companies with Michiel de Bruijn, Procurement Lead at Bloomreach
1:21:40
1:21:40
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1:21:40
In this episode, Michiel de Bruijn, a procurement lead at Bloomreach, shares his journey in the field of procurement and discusses the challenges and strategies involved in software procurement. He highlights the importance of understanding the specific needs of the business and aligning procurement objectives with overall business goals. Michiel a…
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EP 031 - How to Run a Fortune 500 Company with Srini Phatak, Deputy CFO of Unilever
1:30:58
1:30:58
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1:30:58
In this conversation, Srini Phatak, the Deputy CFO and Controller at Unilever, shares his journey and insights as a finance professional. He discusses the importance of experiencing different parts of the world and embracing middle-class values. Srini also highlights the compelling combination of hunger, humility, and the art of the possible that d…
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The Importance of Decisions in Business In the fast-paced world of business, decision-making is a critical skill that can significantly impact an organization's success. However, contrary to common belief, effective decision-making isn't about making numerous choices daily but rather focusing on making fewer, yet more impactful decisions. Let's exp…
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In a recent podcast episode, Rohit Agarwal and Jean-Manuel Izaret (JMI) dived into a pressing question on many minds today: "Is AI going to take our jobs?" Their conversation illuminated an often-overlooked aspect of AI's impact on employment – pricing models. The Current AI Landscape AI technologies have undeniably transformed various sectors, per…
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Rethinking Risk Management: A Strategic Approach Risk management is often misunderstood as a restrictive and defensive practice. Many view it as a hindrance, focusing on the negatives and potential failures. However, this perspective misses the broader, more strategic role that risk management plays in driving success. Let's explore a more integrat…
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EP 030 - Unpacking Trust, Fairness and Value in Pricing with JMI, Senior Partner at BCG
1:53:26
1:53:26
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1:53:26
In this episode, Rohit Agarwal interviews Jean-Manuel Izaret (JMI), a managing director and senior partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), about the strategic importance of pricing in business. JMI shares his background in engineering and how he transitioned to consulting. They discuss the challenges of pricing, the role of pricing in business mo…
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SoF CLIPS | Why Indian Executives are so Successful Globally? with Srini Phatak, Deputy CFO of Unilever
1:23
Why Indian Executives are So Successful Globally? The global success of Indian executives is a phenomenon that has garnered significant attention in recent years. As India emerges as a major player on the world stage, its executives are increasingly occupying top positions in leading global corporations. But what drives this success? Let's delve in…
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What is Strategy? - A Deep Dive into Its Real Essence and Execution In an era where the term "strategy" is ubiquitously tossed around in corporate corridors, its true essence often remains shrouded in ambiguity. Alex, a seasoned strategist, sheds light on the multifaceted nature of strategy, debunking the myth that it’s all about lofty titles witho…
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In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business models, companies like Stripe and traditional Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms present a fascinating study in contrasts and comparisons. Having had the opportunity to delve into the inner workings of Stripe, a leading fintech company, it's clear that both fintech and SaaS models offer uniqu…
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SoF CLIPS | Key SaaS Metrics - A Practitioners Perspective with Alex Small, Strategy at Stripe
7:38
In the dynamic world of Software as a Service (SaaS), understanding and leveraging the right metrics can be the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving. A particular set of metrics, deeply ingrained in the success stories of all storied SaaS companies, can serve as a beacon for businesses aiming to achieve sustainable growth. Among t…
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SoF CLIPS | Is 30% SaaS Margins a Mirage? with Alex Small, Head of Strategy & Ops, Central at Stripe
8:22
In the dynamic realm of Software as a Service (SaaS), the pursuit of high EBITDA margins often sparks extensive debate among industry professionals. The question at the heart of this discourse is whether the widely coveted 30% EBITDA margin is a tangible goal or merely an elusive mirage. This discussion unfolds against a backdrop where SaaS markets…
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In this insightful podcast clip, Srini Phatak, Deputy CFO and Controller of Unilever, shares his personal definition of success and offers practical advice on how to achieve it. Srini emphasizes that success is not solely defined by titles or salaries but by the impact you create in your business and with the people around you. He discusses the imp…
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SoF CLIPS | How to Succeed in Finance? Secrets Revealed by Srini Phatak, Deputy CFO of Unilever
2:46
In this insightful podcast clip, Srini Phatak, Deputy CFO and Controller of Unilever, shares his expert advice on how to succeed in the world of finance. Discover the four key roles every finance professional must master: Strategist, Catalyst, Operator, and Steward. Learn why adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong leadership are essential for…
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EP 029 - Demystifying Artificial Intelligence - AI 101 with Harsh Joshi, Founder & CEO at DAO Studio
1:25:22
1:25:22
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1:25:22
In this episode, Harsh Joshi, founder and CEO of DAO Studio, discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications. He shares his background in the AI space and the projects he has worked on. Harsh explains that AI is the process of making a system learn certain behaviors and respond accordingly. He discusses the integration of hardware and s…
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EP 028 - How to Build a Profitable Business with Rocky Lalvani, Advisor and Profit First Consultant
59:41
Rocky Lalvani, an advisor to small and medium-sized businesses, shares his insights on the Profit First method and how it can be applied to businesses of all sizes. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on profitability and making profit a driver rather than an afterthought. Lalvani explains that Profit First involves allocating money for specif…
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EP 027 - Pricing Done Right with Tim Smith, Author & Pricing Expert at Wiglaf Pricing
1:18:37
1:18:37
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1:18:37
In this engaging conversation, Tim Smith, a renowned expert in pricing, delves into the critical role of pricing as a strategic imperative for companies. He shares his personal journey into the field, highlighting key milestones that have shaped his distinguished career. Tim addresses common pitfalls that companies encounter in their pricing strate…
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EP 026 - Mastering the Science of Pricing with Per "The Price Whisperer" Sjöfors, Pricing Expert
1:09:57
1:09:57
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1:09:57
Summary In this episode, we are joined by Per Sjöfors, also known as "The Price Whisperer," who discusses the pivotal role that pricing plays in business profitability. Per explains that pricing has the highest leverage on profitability, exemplified by his "1% challenge," which shows that a mere 1% increase in price can lead to an 11.3% increase in…
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EP 025 - Building a Global Procurement Function with Murali S, ex-Head of Procurement at Wipro
1:31:22
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1:31:22
Murali Sundararajan, a seasoned procurement leader, shares his extensive experience and insights in the field of procurement. Initially transitioning from an engineering background, Murali faced challenges that emphasized the importance of technical knowledge and strategic thinking in procurement. He highlights the transformation of procurement ove…
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EP 024 - The Evolution of Media in India with Sanjay Jain, ex-CFO at Viacom18 JV and TV Today Network
1:08:08
1:08:08
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1:08:08
Sanjay Jain, a CFO with over 20 years of experience in the media industry, shares his career journey and insights. Starting in finance after completing his CA, Sanjay worked across various sectors before focusing on media. Sanjay discusses the evolution of the media industry, from traditional cable and satellite TV to the rise of OTT platforms. He …
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EP 023 - Data, Insights, Funding Winter, Compensation & Marketing with Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta
1:00:24
1:00:24
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1:00:24
In this episode, Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, discusses his journey in the startup world and the role of data in his career. He shares insights on the challenges and trends in implementing analytics at scale. He also provides an overview of the funding landscape and the impact of the pandemic on fundraising. The conversation explores th…
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EP 022 - What is Procurement with Reba Cox, Global Head of Procurement at MongoDB
1:29:13
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1:29:13
In this conversation, Reba Cox delves into her extensive journey in the procurement field, transitioning from trading base metals to procuring them, and ultimately stepping into tech procurement. She begins by highlighting the fundamental skills and mindset essential for success in procurement, such as the importance of demand planning, establishin…
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EP 021 - Masterclass on Strategy with Alex Small, Head of Strategy & Operations, Central at Stripe
1:51:02
1:51:02
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1:51:02
In this conversation, Alex Small shares his background and journey in the finance and tech industry. He discusses his professional role from being a systems administrator to Head of Strategy and the importance of systems thinking in finance. Alex also talks about his experience at Zendesk and ClickUp, highlighting their positioning in the market. H…
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EP 020 - The ZestMoney Story with Priya Sharma, Co-founder, ex-COO & CFO at ZestMoney
1:50:03
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1:50:03
Priya shares her journey from being an engineer to becoming a founder and the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the importance of partnerships and the role of risk-based pricing in the lending industry. Priya also talks about the evolution of ZestMoney's product and strategy, and how they stayed focused amidst various opportunities.…
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EP 019 - The Nation-builder CFO with Arvind Agarwal, CFO at PayU India
1:43:47
1:43:47
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1:43:47
Arvind Agarwal, CFO of PayU, shares his career journey and insights into the finance industry. He discusses the importance of having a vision and strategy, as well as the role of profitability in new-age businesses. Arvind also emphasizes the need for respect, recognition, and reward in team building and leadership. He highlights the impact of tech…
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EP 018 - The Infra SaaS CFO with Rakib Azad, CFO at Alkira
1:21:56
1:21:56
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1:21:56
Rakib Azad shares his career journey from studying medicine to becoming a CFO in the tech industry. He discusses his transition from medical studies to finance and how he discovered his passion for numbers and business. Rakib also talks about his experiences at MongoDB, Chain Analysis, and Alkira, highlighting the similarities and differences in th…
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EP 017 - CFO Hiring + Comp Demystified with Dan Himple, Senior Finance Recruiter at HAYS
1:42:54
1:42:54
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1:42:54
In this episode, Daniel Himple, a finance recruiter, shares insights into the recruitment process for CFOs and finance leaders in the startup world. He discusses the qualities of a great recruiter and the differences between working in UK and New York. Daniel also explains the backgrounds of modern CFOs and what they look for in companies. He provi…
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EP 016 - The CannaTech CFO with David Yan, CFO at Treez
1:26:43
1:26:43
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1:26:43
In this conversation, David Yan, CFO of Trees, shares his journey from KPMG to the corporate finance side and eventually to the cannabis industry. He discusses his experience at various companies and the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way. David also provides insights into the state regulations in the cannabis industry and th…
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EP 015 - The Paranoid CFO with Alex Urmersbach, CFO at Kiavi
1:06:49
1:06:49
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1:06:49
In this episode, Alex Urmersbach, a four-time CFO, shares his journey in the finance world and provides insights into the role of a CFO. He discusses his international experience and the transition to becoming a CFO, as well as the lessons he learned from the dot-com bubble and the 2008 financial crisis. Alex also shares his experience managing rem…
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We are stoked to welcome Akshay Sarma as our very special guest for this episode. Akshay is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Axio, and has been recognized as a BW CFO World 40 under 40 and a Financial Star. With an impressive background spanning across derivatives, trading, and financial structuring, Akshay brings a wealth of experience fro…
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It is my utmost pleasure to introduce our esteemed podcast guest today, Mr. David Junius. Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer at Cowbell Cyber, based in the vibrant city of New York, David brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence in the field of global finance. With a career spanning over two decad…
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Today, we're thrilled to have with us — Arjun Mehta, an experienced operator in the finance industry with an impressive career spanning over two decades across some of the world's most renowned corporations. Arjun currently spearheads the financial strategies of Revolut India as their Chief Financial Officer. Arjun’s journey through the finance wor…
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EP 011 - The Dispassionate CFO with Karan Bhople, CFO at strongDM
1:28:11
1:28:11
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1:28:11
I am elated to introduce our distinguished guest, Mr. Karan Bhople, whose financial ingenuity and visionary leadership have earned him a revered spot among the Top 25 CFOs in Software for 2023 published by the well known Finance & Investing. Currently, as the Chief Financial Officer of strongDM, Karan is at the forefront of propelling the firm’s mo…
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Today, we have a very special guest joining us on the podcast. Based in Mumbai, India, he's a titan in the world of investment banking, especially in the digital and technology sectors in India. With over two decades of experience under his belt, he's been at the forefront of some of the most significant transactions in the industry. Ladies and gen…
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EP 009 - Confidence, Prepare, Execute, and Repeat with Joy Mbanugo, CFO at ServiceRocket
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1:07:32
I'm super excited to be speaking with Joy Mbanugo today. She is a Chief Financial Officer and Qualified Financial Expert, known for her work in financial governance and structure across organizations ranging from $200 billion to pre-revenue startups. Currently serving as the CFO at ServiceRocket, Joy's responsibilities encompass finance, accounting…
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Our guest today is no stranger to the complexities and challenges of the startup world. He is a master of navigating transformative change, especially when it comes to scaling startups and optimizing the intricacies of business. He's an entrepreneur, a strategist, a financial expert, and even a go-to-market leader. Mika Kasumov is the dynamic found…
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I'm thrilled to introduce our guest for today's episode. With a rich experience of over two decades in the realm of operational excellence and value creation, Pete Boyes is currently an esteemed Operating Partner at Thoma Bravo, which is amongst the best investment firms globally focused on Software or SaaS companies. Today, Pete works hand-in-hand…
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EP 006 - To Be or Not To Be a CFO with Ananth Avva, SVP and GM Cloud Platform at Altium
1:00:42
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1:00:42
Our special guest for the show today is Ananth Avva - the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cloud Platform at Altium, a global leader in PCB design software. Ananth is a top-performing business and finance executive with over a decade of experience leading SaaS-focused product technology companies as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Ope…
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Our special guest for the show today is Amit Kumar, an accomplished finance expert who heads the Finance Centre of Excellence at Avataar Ventures. As a premier growth stage VC firm, Avataar specializes in nurturing SaaS and B2B startups that are building in India for the globe. Amit isn't just another Chartered Accountant. He brings to the table a …
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Our special guest for the show today is Venkatesh Tarakkad, the CFO of DealShare. With qualifications like Chartered Accountancy, ICWAI, and CISA, Venkatesh is a seasoned CFO with experience of over 25 years in building and scaling businesses, bringing efficiencies, managing funding rounds and acquisitions, as well as taking companies public. Venka…
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This episode of the SoF podcast features a discussion with the very dynamic, energetic, and always-smiling KJ Tjon - a seasoned senior finance executive with more than 25 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications sectors. She currently serves as a Board of Director for Kaleyra, a Communications Platform as a Service provider; Nub…
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EP 002 - Customer Value Enhancement through Internal Excellence with Jay Sahal, CFO at Yellow.ai
1:00:00
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1:00:00
This episode of the SoF podcast features a discussion with Jay Sahal, CFO at Yellow.ai, an NLP platform that allows enterprises to build chat- and voice bots in over 100 languages to automate customer support and conversational commerce. Jay is a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary by qualification and joined Yellow.ai in Dec 2020 after honi…
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Introducing the Strategy of Finance Podcast hosted by Rohit Agarwal, Founder of Krayo. We celebrate the Profession and the Professionals in the world of Finance. We'll be releasing a new episode each week and bring to you a dynamic finance leader to share their thoughts. Website: https://www.strategyoffinance.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com…
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