Facing tighter capital and slower growth, Burt Chao led “shrink-to-grow” decisions—redirecting investment away from still-profitable product lines toward higher-ROI priorities. The shift required redefining asset allocation discipline while aligning stakeholders around long-term value creation in a constrained environment.
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Now Watch the Complete Episode Featuring CFO Burt Chao of Nintex
In his first months at Nintex, CFO Burt Chao describes a PE-backed automation business balancing durable foundations with deliberate AI innovation. He argues the CFO’s first job is to listen, establish growth expectations, and align leaders before debating margins or Rule of 40. Chao frames finance as the source of truth that still invites companywide ownership of resource allocation and ROI, especially for AI bets requiring measurement and revisiting assumptions. He also shares “shrink-to-grow” moments—redirecting investment from still-profitable products to higher-return priorities—where influence and clear communication matter as much as numbers to keep teams engaged while capital is expensive today.
| CFO’s Strategy Playbook |
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| • Listen First, Then Define Growth Envelope |
| • Measure AI Bets, Revisit Hypotheses Often |
| • Shrink To Grow: Reallocate From Legacy |