Evolving from financial stewards to strategic drivers, CFOs are now playing a pivotal role in shaping technology-fueled innovation, modernisation and transformation.

The ADAPT webinar “Know Your Customer: How to Influence the CFO? For Sales and Marketing Leaders,” led by Senior Research Director Matt Boon, explored the latest drivers, plans, and inhibitors for Australian CFOs and Finance Leaders from organisations responsible for 20% of Australia’s GDP.

The above video is only an excerpt.

ADAPT’s Research and Advisory Advantage clients can watch our full webinar.

Register to access the full webinar recording: Know Your Customer: How to Influence the CFO? For Sales and Marketing Leaders.

Strategic Integration and Operational Efficiency

Matt highlighted that CFOs are increasingly involved in strategic decision-making, including managing technical debt, optimising FinOps cloud operations, and cyber security.

He pointed out this reflects a shift towards integrating financial strategies with overall business goals.

 

Addressing Internal Frictions and Building Trust

Matt discussed how CFOs navigate internal frictions, such as managing legacy technologies and balancing time constraints, employing strategies to overcome these challenges.

He emphasised the importance of trust-building within organisations.

 

Cloud Adoption and Cost Management

He also explored the complexities of cloud adoption, including cost management and legacy system integration challenges.

He raised concerns about the recurring and higher-than-expected cloud migration costs, underscoring the need for effective cloud-related expenditure management.

 

Innovation and Technology Investment

The webinar deep dove into CFOs’ focus on innovation and aligning technology investments with business goals, particularly in areas like AI and machine learning, to modernise finance roles and operations.

Matt also noted the accelerated move to OpEx environments.

However, he expressed concern that 41% of CFOs don’t have visibility into the ongoing costs of technology, which poses challenges for optimising costs and investments.

Investment Trends

Matt conveyed that over the next 12 months, CFOs are focusing on investment in areas that reflect their evolving role.

He noted a strong emphasis on data quality, analytics, and financial forecasting and modelling, as well as a significant focus on staff upskilling and training.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • CFOs are on the lookout for solutions that align with their broadening role.
  • Innovative approaches to internal challenges, especially in managing legacy technology and time constraints, are in demand.
  • Effective cloud adoption strategies that tackle cost management concerns, particularly in OpEx environments, resonate with CFO priorities.
  • Strategic partnerships in AI and machine learning that support CFOs’ technology investment goals are critical for modern finance functions.
  • Investment focuses of CFOs, such as data quality, analytics, and staff upskilling, present opportunities for targeted solutions.

The above video is only an excerpt.

ADAPT’s Research and Advisory Advantage clients can watch our full webinar.

Register to access the full webinar recording: Know Your Customer: How to Influence the CFO? For Sales and Marketing Leaders.

Contributors
Matt Boon Senior Research Director
As Senior Research Director at ADAPT, Matt Boon is responsible for directing and developing ADAPTs research content and positions. In his role... More

As Senior Research Director at ADAPT, Matt Boon is responsible for directing and developing ADAPTs research content and positions.

In his role at ADAPT Boon advises C-Suite executives across the end-user and technology provider landscape. Boon is also responsible for bringing together groups of C-Suite leaders to discuss and prepare for the myriad of challenges and opportunities they face.

ADAPT hosts numerous industry-leading IT-focused events annually and Boon is responsible for hosting, chairing and delivering ADAPT independent content and positions to help attendees make informed IT decisions.

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