"Building the plane while flying it" is a common startup mantra. But when it comes to the tech stack, the patchwork of apps and tools becomes a silent growth killer, leading to conflicting data, security risks, and endless manual work.
In this episode of Invention Mode, host Tanya Kohen talks with fractional CFO Maria Frolova about applying an inventive mindset to this core challenge. They unpack the early warning signs founders miss, why clean data is more critical than any single tool, and how to build a scalable financial engine from seed to Series C.
Learn a simple, no-budget exercise to identify your team's biggest inefficiencies, understand why the CFO role is key to your entire company's tech strategy, and get a practical framework to stop patching problems and start building a solid foundation for growth.
Essential listening for founders and finance leaders in FinTech ready to turn tech stack chaos into a strategic advantage.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest speakers on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their current or previous employers or affiliated organizations.
The classic build vs. buy dilemma is more than a cost or speed decision — it's a core strategic choice, especially in treasury and finance.
Tanya Kohen and treasury consultant Tom Tarrant explore how invention emerges not only from building custom tools, but also from creatively combining, adapting, and owning bought solutions. They unpack Tom's framework "buy is for ops, build is for strategy", and discuss how the right balance, fueled by collaborative teams and cross-functional input, shapes strategy, builds operational resilience, and drives growth.
Learn how organizations can leverage both approaches across areas like TMS implementation, AI forecasting, and fraud detection to turn technology into a true competitive advantage.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest speakers on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their current or previous employers or affiliated organizations.
This episode of Invention Mode explores the often-overlooked potential within individuals, teams, and the data organizations already have — and how it can spark true invention. Host Tanya Kohen talks with Tracey Knight, a nationally recognized treasury and finance technology expert with over 30 years of FinTech experience. Together, they discuss how personal readiness fuels organizational transformation, why it’s important to look beyond basic automation, and how curiosity combined with a fresh perspective on existing data can lead to meaningful breakthroughs in the way a company operates.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest speakers on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their current or previous employers or affiliated organizations.
In this kickoff episode of Invention Mode, host Tanya Kohen sits down with Seth Marlowe, a seasoned treasury, banking, IT, and consulting executive with over 30 years of experience. Seth has led transformation initiatives within some of the world’s largest companies, including GE, Wells Fargo, Danone, and EY.
Seth shares his perspective on why true invention is crucial today, recounting a behind-the-scenes story of how his team developed an automated process that fundamentally changed finance operations. He discusses how something "new" emerged from within the "old way" of working.
Tune in to explore the distinction between invention and innovation, why invention is more specific and impactful, and how organizations can create space for employees to act on bold ideas that drive business success.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest speakers on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their current or previous employers or affiliated organizations.