In our latest Planning Aces episode, Jack Sweeney teams with performance management guru Brett Knowles to spotlight three finance leaders tackling one of business’s most critical challenges: aligning sales, operations, and finance around a common goal.
First, Orion Innovation CFO Cyrus Lam recalls how transparent metrics and well-crafted incentives helped double profit margins by bridging the gap between sales and delivery teams. Then, Jellyfish CFO Joanne Cheng reveals the power of being a “connector”—a finance leader who unifies fast-scaling startups by integrating hires, systems, and processes from day one. Finally, Cribl CFO Zach Johnson shares his “three P’s” framework—precision, predictability, and performance—spotlighting how open communication and unit economics training can shape a company’s culture and boost long-term value.
Throughout, Brett Knowles shares insights into how CFOs can develop organizational trust, adopt strategic compensation models, and champion cross-functional collaboration to drive sustainable growth.
Cyrus Lam, CFO of Orion Innovation, draws from an impressive career spanning decades in investment banking and corporate finance to shed light on the transformative role of finance in business strategy. In this video, he shares a compelling story about resolving misaligned incentives in sales and delivery teams, highlighting how transparent metrics and collaborative efforts doubled profit margins. Lam’s experience showcases his expertise in aligning financial strategy with operational execution, delivering real-world insights for finance leaders and business decision-makers.
Joanne Cheng’s background includes roles at multiple companies where she oversaw essential financial processes. As Jellyfish’s first finance hire, she built out the function from scratch, gaining an unfiltered view into hiring, revenue, and operational models. In this video, Cheng discusses the CFO’s role as a connector—linking various departments through shared insights. Her observations provide a grounded look at how finance leaders can remain central, helping teams align priorities and streamline organizational processes.
Zach Johnson, CFO of Cribl, gained his approach to finance leadership from multiple fast-scaling tech companies. Known for applying metrics to guide decision-making, he emphasizes alignment across teams and data-driven insights. In this Mentoring Round video, Johnson shares lessons learned from building finance functions capable of adapting to rapid change. If you’re curious about how CFOs balance short-term needs with strategic planning, tune in to hear Johnson’s perspective.
By implementing transparent metrics, designing thoughtful compensation structures, and championing cross-functional teamwork, these three Planning Aces have sought to champion sustainable growth and organizational excellence.