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Hey there, CFOs! 💼

CFOs do more than manage numbers—they steer companies through high-stakes transitions. From ERP migrations to financial turnarounds, the best leaders turn challenges into opportunities.

This week, we’re covering three key steps for a smooth ERP migration, how AT&T’s CFO Pascal Desroches tackled a $150B debt load, and why Kroger’s new CFO faces a defining moment amid market turbulence.

The financial landscape is shifting fast. Let’s dive in.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• 3 Essential CFO Tips for Navigating ERP Migration Challenges 💼📊

• Kroger Names PepsiCo Veteran as New CFO Amid Market Challenges 🛒💼

• AT&T CFO Pascal Desroches on Leadership, Strategy, and Growth 📶💡

📈 Trending news

• 27% of CFO Job Listings Now Require AI—Are Finance Leaders Ready?

• Pathward CFO on Strategy, Talent & the Power of Data

• What CFOs Need to Know About Budget & Strategy

3 Essential CFO Tips for Navigating ERP Migration Challenges 💼📊 read the full 1,100-word article here

Article published: February 18, 2025

Migrating financial systems to the cloud is no small feat, but CFOs who navigate the transition strategically can unlock major benefits—from cost savings to increased agility. Yet, according to insightsoftware, only 27% of finance teams have fully migrated, with nearly 50% planning to do so within two years.

So, what’s holding them back? ERP migration challenges—like data inconsistencies, workflow disruptions, and complex integrations—can derail even the best-planned projects. But with careful planning, the right software, and empowered teams, CFOs can minimize downtime and maximize ROI.

Here’s how finance leaders can successfully transition to a cloud-based ERP while keeping operations running smoothly.

Key Takeaways:

• 🛡️ Minimize migration risks with strategic planning: Backup critical data, assess essential systems, and ensure seamless access to avoid costly disruptions.

• 💡 Choose the right ERP software: Beyond flashy AI features, prioritize integration capabilities and user-friendly interfaces for long-term success.

• 👩‍💻 Empower your team with early training: Well-prepared employees reduce friction and drive adoption, ensuring higher productivity post-migration.

• 🚀 Cloud ERP is a long-term advantage: While initial dips in efficiency are inevitable, the shift boosts automation, reporting, and collaboration for CFOs leading digital transformation.

Kroger Names PepsiCo Veteran as New CFO Amid Market Challenges 🛒💼 read the full 800-word article here

Article published: February 12, 2025

Kroger has tapped David Kennerley, a longtime PepsiCo finance executive, as its new Chief Financial Officer. Kennerley, currently CFO of PepsiCo Europe, will step into the role on April 3, 2025, as the grocery giant grapples with inflation, shifting consumer habits, and the fallout from its failed $20 billion merger with Albertsons.

Kennerley’s appointment comes as Kroger navigates rising food prices, with egg prices spiking over 15% in a single month. Meanwhile, the company is doubling down on its private-label products, aiming to increase their share from 30% to 40%—a strategic move to compete with retail giants like Walmart.

Key Takeaways:

• 📉 Inflation challenges ahead: Rising food costs, particularly in staples like eggs, are testing consumer budgets and grocers’ pricing strategies.

• 🏪 Post-merger strategy shift: After the blocked Albertsons deal, Kroger is focusing on efficiency and expanding its private-label product lines to boost margins.

• 📊 Kennerley’s big task: The new CFO will lead financial strategy amid a shifting grocery landscape, balancing cost pressures and competitive threats.

• ⚖️ Kroger vs. Walmart: To remain competitive, Kroger is investing in private-label goods and digital shopping while rival Walmart dominates with scale and pricing power.

AT&T CFO Pascal Desroches on Leadership, Strategy, and Growth 📶💡 read the full 1,200-word article here

Article published: February 17, 2025

Pascal Desroches, AT&T’s Chief Financial Officer, didn’t just rise through the ranks—he rewrote the playbook on financial leadership. From his early days as an immigrant learning English in New York to steering the financial strategy of a $122 billion telecommunications giant, Desroches' story is one of resilience, strategic foresight, and bold decision-making.

Since joining AT&T in the wake of its Time Warner divestiture, Desroches has been instrumental in deleveraging the company by $40 billion, growing revenue, and investing over $100 billion in American telecom infrastructure. His close partnership with CEO John Stankey has redefined AT&T’s focus, making courageous decisions like cutting dividends and restructuring its core business to stay competitive.

Key Takeaways:

• 📉 From $150B in debt to financial strength: Under Desroches' leadership, AT&T reduced its debt by $40 billion while growing earnings, subscribers, and cash flow.

• 📡 Back to telecom roots: The company divested media assets and refocused on wireless and broadband, investing $100 billion in U.S. telecom infrastructure.

• 🤝 CEO-CFO trust is key: Desroches highlights honest communication as essential to a strong CEO-CFO relationship—"You have to be comfortable speaking truth to power.".

• 🏆 Advice for future CFOs: Self-awareness, team-building, and resilience are critical—"Surround yourself with people who challenge you, not just those who agree with you.".

Why It Matters

An ERP migration can feel like walking a tightrope—one wrong step, and it’s chaos. But with the right strategy, CFOs can turn a risky move into a game-changing transformation.

AT&T’s Pascal Desroches proves that bold financial leadership can redefine a company’s future. And as Kroger’s new CFO steps into one of the toughest retail landscapes in years, his decisions could reshape the grocery industry.

CFOs aren’t just reacting to change—they’re shaping the future. Are you ready to lead?

Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights