Business Agility in Finance: How CFOs Can Thrive in Volatility and Uncertainty

About This Episode

Business agility has become a defining capability for organizations operating in today’s environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. But while many companies focus on operational flexibility or technology investments, fewer understand the critical role finance plays in enabling true agility across the business.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Mitch Max, founder of BetterVu and Executive in Residence for the Association of Financial Professionals, about what separates organizations that survive from those that thrive during periods of disruption. Drawing on research and decades of experience in enterprise performance management, Mitch shares how agility is less about tools and more about culture, decision-making, and embedded finance leadership.

Together, they explore:

• The difference between finance agility and true business agility
• Why only a small percentage of companies outperform during volatility
• The “sense, decide, act” model for faster, more effective decision-making
• How finance teams can serve as early warning systems and strategic partners
• The role of EPM systems in enabling real-time planning and collaboration
• How to avoid data overload and focus on actionable insights
• Where AI is driving real value today, from automation to advanced analytics
• Why embedded finance and business partnering define mature finance organizations

Whether navigating economic uncertainty, implementing new planning systems, or redefining the role of finance, this conversation offers practical guidance for CFOs and finance leaders looking to build more agile, resilient organizations.