The Best Offense Is A Great Defense

Many think playing defense at a company is just cutting costs ✂️

While cost cutting is definitely part of it, it’s really a 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 on how to win in the long run 🏆

My favorite 3 defense tips that don’t involve pure cost cutting:

1) Decide when to deploy growth capital. Eating a burger 🍔 at 5am in the morning is going to have a different impact than eating a hamburger at 7pm after working out. Figure out when is the right time to spend money 💰 on growth initiatives.
2) Seek alignment before decisions are made. 🤝Cycles (and 💵💵💵) are often wasted between legal, finance, IT, and the business owner because one team didn’t know another team had already made a decision. Build better processes and use systems (like Sudozi 😃 )to accelerate this alignment.
3) Elevate your people. You’ll be surprised by what your existing team can tackle. Leaders often silo talent based on their past experience. “Oh, he’s on FP&A, he won’t be able to take on this product initiative.” Think creatively outside the box and people will exceed your expectations 🦸🏻♂️🦸🏾♀️

I’m so excited to chat with Jen Ford for this week’s Sudozi Finance Friday.

Jen has been an instrumental commercial and finance leader at some iconic brands: Dell, HomeAway (VRBO), Snap Kitchen, and TurnKey Vacation Rentals, where she was both the Chief Commercial Officer and CFO.In the past 18 months, she’s shifted from operator to advisor and partners with founder-led companies making the transition from successful start-up to mature, scaling company.

Jen acts as an extension of the leadership team and leverages her 25 years of experience to drive better business outcomes.

She knows a thing or two about playing great defense, winning, and managing a change in mindset.