Podcast
Field Notes: Practical Conversations on AI
Hosted by CrossCountry Consulting · EN
You're a CFO, CIO, or transformation leader under pressure to cut costs, reduce manual work, and unlock strategic insight from your data. But when AI feels like more hype than help, Field Notes is built for you. CrossCountry Consulting's podcast brings together practitioners and executives for honest, grounded conversations about what AI adoption actually looks like: the governance questions, the quick wins, the change management realities, and the ROI that makes it all worth it. No theory. Just field-tested guidance to help you take the next step. Available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.
6episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The AI Ready Workforce: Empowering Human Expertise
1w ago00:36:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Field Notes, experts from CrossCountry Consulting and Quantum Rise explore how modern CFOs can orchestrate strategic transformation by building an AI-ready workforce. AI is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for delivering better experiences and driving sustainable growth. Join us as we discuss how to move beyond narrow cost optimization and redefine ROI as long-term enterprise value by grounding AI initiatives in end-to-end flows of work. We examine the critical balance of moving fast while maintaining thoughtful risk management and responsible AI governance, ensuring trust, compliance, and security remain non-negotiable. You will discover how a human-centered approach can break down cross-functional silos and equip the Office of the CFO with real-time analytics for proactive decision-making. Finally, we highlight why navigating this complex digital landscape requires open ecosystems and specialized partnerships to accelerate alignment, design, and execution in weeks, not months. How is your finance team preparing for an AI-enabled future? Listen now to learn how to transform your finance function with confidence.
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AI-Driven Lead-to-Cash: From Silos to Strategy
Apr 2800:35:27Tap to summarizeThe lead-to-cash cycle is where strategy meets reality. Are your technology investments driving enterprise growth, or are they creating downstream bottlenecks for your finance team? In this episode of Field Notes, host Tom Alexander sits down with Oscar Palacio, Partner of Business Transformation, to explore how modern CFOs can transform their finance function by optimizing the lead-to-cash (L2C) process. We discuss how AI is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for delivering better experiences and driving sustainable growth. By breaking down organizational silos and aligning front-office technology with back-office realities, financial leaders can unlock significant liquidity and enterprise agility. Key Takeaways from This Episode: ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="1">Strategic Transformation: Learn why harmonizing your cross-functional operating model is critical to preventing revenue leakage. ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="2">Value Stream Alignment: Discover how deploying human-centered AI agents can automate pipeline conversion and accelerate your time to close. ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="3">Advanced Analytics: Leverage proactive analytics and real-time data to anticipate and mitigate customer turnover before it impacts the bottom line. ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="4">Responsible AI: Ensure audit-ready outputs through thoughtful risk management, governance, and seamless integration. Ground your AI initiatives in end-to-end flows of work that drive measurable outcomes. Tune in to learn how to accelerate alignment, design, and delivery within your financial operations. Listen now to unlock your revenue potential!
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Governance, Scale, and Real Outcomes: Enterprise Finance Automation with Rossum
Mar 1700:32:05Tap to summarizeWhat if your accounts payable team could stop processing invoices and start driving business strategy? In this episode of Field Notes, Tom Alexander, Head of AI Transformation, sits down with Zach Hemmant-Low, Chief Sales Officer at Rossum AI, to explore how intelligent document processing is reshaping the way enterprise finance teams operate. Zach shares how Rossum's purpose-built AI model, trained on over $1.8 trillion in transactions, is helping Fortune 1000 companies do more than eliminate manual work. It's helping them capture early payment discounts, renegotiate supplier terms, reduce reliance on temp staff, and turn raw document data into forward-looking business intelligence. The conversation covers: Why the biggest ROI in AP automation often isn't efficiency; it's the working capital hiding in your backlog How Rossum's private language model eliminates the AI hallucination risk that makes finance leaders nervous about adoption The build vs. buy reality: why extracting invoice data is the easy part, and what most teams underestimate about end-to-end automation What CFOs and CTOs should do before they start any automation project and the one mistake that derails most initiatives How CrossCountry and Rossum built their partnership by tackling the hardest client problem first Whether you're a CFO evaluating AI tools, a CTO navigating the build vs. buy question, or a transformation leader trying to make the case for automation investment, this episode gives you the frameworks and the real-world proof points to move forward with confidence. Guest: Zach Hemmant-Low, Chief Sales Officer, Rossum AI Host: Tom Alexander, Head of AI, CrossCountry Consulting Field Notes is CrossCountry Consulting's podcast for finance and technology leaders navigating AI transformation. New episodes drop monthly.
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Strategy, Orchestration, and Value Creation: End-to-End Procurement Transformation with AI
Mar 1000:35:00Tap to summarizeHow can your procurement function, often seen as a cost center, be transformed into a strategic profit driver? For many organizations, the source-to-pay process is a complex and capital-intensive area ripe for optimization. In this episode, we explore the immense value creation possible within procurement and supply chain management. Cade Lutz, a leader in transformation and sourcing, joins the discussion to share his expertise on weaponizing the procurement function. He explains how a data-intensive approach can help organizations save money, increase buying efficiency, and strengthen controls to mitigate risk. Discover how to leverage AI for procurement orchestration and the critical role of data quality in any successful transformation. Cade provides a clear roadmap for how a $5 billion company can realize savings of $250 million, turning a standard business function into a source of significant competitive advantage. We also discuss the importance of continuous vendor monitoring and fostering collaboration between procurement, risk, and compliance teams. Key Takeaways: ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">How to reframe procurement from a cost center to a profit center. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="2">The three pillars of procurement transformation: cost savings, efficiency, and risk mitigation. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="3">Real-world examples of achieving a 50-to-1 ROI through a data-driven strategy. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="4">Actionable advice on using spend analytics and AI-powered orchestration to improve the guided buying experience. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="5">The foundational importance of data quality and continuous monitoring for third-party risk management. Transform your finance function and empower your organization to achieve more. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and please leave a review to let us know your thoughts
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AI in Record to Report: Real-Time Finance for the Future
Mar 1000:33:13Tap to summarizeImagine transforming your financial workflows so profoundly that the traditional month-end close becomes a relic of the past. For modern financial executives, harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline operations is the key to unlocking true enterprise agility. In episode two, we dive into the evolution of the Record to Report process and the reality of achieving a real-time close. Harris Gofstein brings 25 years of experience in business transformation to the show, sharing exactly how finance leaders can leverage AI to optimize budgeting and seamlessly orchestrate connected planning platforms. We explore why it is crucial to embed automation directly into your existing financial processes rather than simply deploying new software. Harris shares actionable advice on starting small with AI to drive tangible value, from accelerating budget cycles to executing daily cash flow forecasting. The conversation also addresses how to bridge emerging skill gaps within your finance team to ensure your organization remains forward-thinking and completely audit-ready. Key Takeaways: ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">The strategic path to achieving a real-time close through continuous data processing and advanced analytics. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="2">How AI can orchestrate budget cycles, automate data staging, and align key business drivers. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="3">Real-world examples of daily cash flow forecasting to enhance decision-making accuracy. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="4">Practical strategies for addressing the finance skill gap and building a more agile, data-driven team. Drive strategic value and innovate continuously within your finance function. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and please leave a review to let us know your thoughts!
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Foundations for Responsible AI
Mar 1000:28:55Tap to summarizeImagine a world where you can monitor your AI agents, security controls, and financial KPIs from a single, centralized command center. For modern CFOs leading strategic initiatives, this is the future of enterprise agility, but reaching that future requires a solid framework. In this episode of Field Notes, Tom Alexander sits down with Cameron Over, Partner and Cyber Security Lead at CrossCountry Consulting, to explore the strategic realities of AI transformation. They discuss how finance leaders can drive sustainable growth by prioritizing responsible AI, proactive risk management, and robust corporate governance. If building your organization's AI program feels like assembling a plane while it is already flying, this conversation provides the actionable blueprint you need to guide your digital transformation efforts effectively. Learn how to integrate seamlessly, innovate continuously, and mitigate operational risks before you deploy new technologies. Key Takeaways & Timestamps: 00:00:51 The vision for a centralized AI command center and real-time KPI monitoring. 00:03:56 Why you must transform end-to-end processes and build a strong foundation before implementing AI. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:06:37 How CFOs can operate at the speed of business while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:08:27 The importance of aligning AI initiatives with measurable financial outcomes and strategic ROI. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:12:08 Why executing a focused proof of concept is critical to scale your AI capabilities safely. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:15:17 Navigating the "building the plane while it flies" dilemma and assessing third-party risks. ol]:!pb-0 [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0" value="1">00:31:40 Why data quality and strategy form the essential baseline for advanced analytics. Transform your finance function and lead your organization's digital future with confidence. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and visit our website to discover more resources designed to empower the Office of the CFO.
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