In this episode of FinTalk, Ivan Jesus, Founder and CEO of Finalytics, sits down with Fernando Pacheco, Global Head of Cash Management Product at Mashreq. Together, they explore the risks and practical foundations of digital finance transformation.
Key takeaways
Make cash visible and accessible
A strong balance sheet is not enough if a business cannot turn its assets into cash to keep operating. Real-time visibility across accounts and the ability to mobilise funds help businesses respond to disruption and protect customer service.
Build transformation on three pillars
Fernando describes the key pillars as people, processes and platforms. Transformation needs capable people with time to assess processes objectively, while automation can free finance teams to focus on higher-value work.
Start small and govern well
Senior sponsorship and the involvement of relevant teams help surface risks and make decisions at the right time. Fernando recommends taking a pragmatic approach, delivering small wins and checking data quality before implementing new systems.
Use data to improve decisions
Open data can bring account information from multiple banks into one place, improving cash visibility. Over time, real-time data and business rules could also help automate cash movements and support better use of funds.
“Start starting is better than waiting for the right thing to align.” Fernando Pacheco
Why it matters for founders
For an owner-led SME, better visibility of cash and receivables can help protect day-to-day operations and support growth. Starting with a manageable improvement, while involving the right people and seeking experienced advice, can make transformation achievable without a large corporate team.
Our take
A strong balance sheet won't pay this month's salaries. Seeing cash across every account, weeks ahead, is what keeps a business in control when something goes wrong.
See it in practice: Cash is King: how to take control of cash flow as you scale
Watch or listen
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