GrowCFO Show

The GrowCFO Show is the podcast produced for finance leaders by finance leaders
# 219 Celebrating 5 Years of Driving Change for Finance Leaders with Dan Wells

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the GrowCFO podcast takes a deep dive into the remarkable journey of the finance community platform. Led by founder and CEO Dan Wells, this special episode reflects on the evolution of the business, the key milestones, and the vision for the future. As a purpose-driven startup that has transformed into a leading resource for finance professionals worldwide, GrowCFO’s story offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.
Throughout the conversation, Dan and Kevin explore the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the GrowCFO narrative over the past five years. From the initial community-focused vision to the pivotal shift towards virtual and global expansion, the podcast delves into the strategic decisions, innovative programs, and the power of a dedicated team and supportive community.
Key topics covered:
- The evolution of GrowCFO’s business model, from community-based to virtual and global
- The launch and success of flagship programs like the Future CFO and CFO programs
- The transition to experiential learning and the impact of the XLF (Experiential Learning for Finance) initiative
- The importance of mentoring, partnerships, and the diverse team of experts that have contributed to GrowCFO’s growth
- The key learnings and challenges faced by the startup, including the willingness to pivot and the power of purpose-driven leadership
- The future vision for GrowCFO, focusing on strategic finance, technology integration, and empowering finance teams
Links
Timestamps
- 0:00:22 – Introduction and discussion of the 5-year anniversary
- 0:00:44 – Reflecting on the early days and the launch of the business
- 0:04:29 – Discussing the initial community-focused vision and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
- 0:08:05 – Exploring the evolution of the business model and the importance of mentoring
- 0:12:24 – Introducing the CFO program and the role of mentors
- 0:17:23 – Transitioning to experiential learning and the success of the XLF program
- 0:23:35 – Discussing the key learnings and challenges faced over the past 5 years
- 0:29:37 – Partnerships with tech companies and the transformation of the finance function
- 0:35:28 – Future vision and objectives for the next 5 years
- 0:39:30 – Closing remarks and a special offer for the community
Find out more about GrowCFO
If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.
GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.
You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

The Next 100 Days

The Next 100 Days Podcast is a leading UK business show. Through this podcast, Kevin and Graham reveal strategies you can use to improve your business and take it to the next level. In addition to featuring their own advice, Kevin and Graham host amazing guests from across the business world. Often the guests are successful, but lesser-known business owners and entrepreneurs, enabling the show to bring fresh content and stand out from many of the US based business shows.
Graham and Kevin believe that business change comes about when a business owner focusses on just one thing that will make a real difference to his business. That might be product development, a new product launch or a marketing campaign. Focussing for less than 100 days, or focussing on too many things generally won’t deliver the results you need, Equally, its difficult to maintain effective focus for much longer than 100 days without re-assessing priorities.
The Next 100 Days Podcast is your source to learn how to move your business forward, with practical advice and guidance that you can put into action and make a difference in your own organisation within the next 100 days.
TJ Slattery is the owner and founder of Crowsnest Consulting. A lifetime entrepreneur and strategic advisor, TJ harnesses his decades of experience to create clarity and stability for business owners immersed in the day-to-day on an entrepreneurial island. Armed with honest, relatable candor (and a stylish neckerchief), TJ leverages his business acumen, experience and relentless curiosity, and enables his clients in the finance space to connect the dots between the business they have and the vision they want to achieve–it’s time to stop treading water and get up into the crowsnest where they belong. TJ can offer invaluable insight into the following topics:
- Shiny Red Balls: identifying what’s important vs. what’s a distraction.
- Underpants Gnome Syndrome: understanding ‘step 2’ of the business plan.
- Tree in the Forest: why the onboarding experience is key for retention. Effective clear direction and training are more important than ever. Onboarding is the magic moment to keep employees engaged.
- Indiana Jones Moment: scary step into the business void after you’ve done all the prep – there’s no better feeling when you hit the ground.
Summary of the Podcast
Introductions and background
TJ Slattery introduces himself as a corporate consultant and strategic advisor who helps small business owners take a “crow’s nest” view of their business. He explains his background in entrepreneurship and the concept of “underpants gnome syndrome” – when business owners have a grand vision but lack a clear plan to get there.
Identifying and addressing business gaps
TJ discusses how he works with clients to create a detailed 12-month performance plan, looking at all aspects of the business (financials, marketing, sales, operations, etc.) to identify gaps and ensure the growth plan is realistic and sustainable. He uses exercises like the “pipe burst” test to uncover the business’s weakest points.
Ideal client profile and engagement model
TJ explains that his ideal clients are service-based businesses with 3-5 years of experience, revenue of $500K-$1M, and a desire to scale. He typically works with them for 6-month engagements, meeting bi-weekly to implement a roadmap and track progress.
The role of AI and technology
TJ discusses how AI and technology may impact his business, noting that the personal touch and strategic advisory role he provides would be difficult to fully automate. However, he sees opportunities to leverage AI tools to enhance his offerings and support his clients.
The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-Hosts
Graham Arrowsmith
Graham founded Finely Fettled ten years ago to help business owners and marketers market to affluent and high-net-worth customers. Graham founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, which combines the world’s biggest source of 10,000 marketing experiments with AI. Find Graham on LinkedIn.
Kevin Appleby
Kevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He’s the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com
