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We can\u2019t help but cringe when a finance leader tells us that they don\u2019t want to be known as \u201cthe CFO of \u2018No\u2019\u201d\u2014that shopworn characterization of CFOs who seem to enjoy giving thumbs down verdicts.   

So, we were pleased when CFO Jim Morgan of CallRail steered clear of the trite trope when he recently joined us as a return guest.

Nonetheless, we were still curious as to what has replaced the iconic \u201cthumbs down\u201d when it comes to finance leaders projecting their diligence onto the monitoring of risk and governance practices.

\u201cI probably have it a little bit easier than most CFOs because one of our five culture statements is Mind the business\u2014which is music to a CFO\u2019s ears,\u201d comments Morgan, who adds that the simple phrase is best voiced in a question.

\u201c\u2019Are we minding the business?\u2019 is what I ask our team every day,\u201d reports Morgan, as if prescribing for the CallRail corporate culture a regimen of essential vitamins and minerals.

Notes Morgan: \u201cIt\u2019s naturally easy for me to be the culture carrier of this because I am able to leverage that business mentality as we focus on being a business partner to all of our different departments.\u201d  

Also, the question\u2019s emphasis on the \u201cwe\u201d helps to amplify a business\u2019s shared mission and achieve \u201cbuy in\u201d when it comes to some prickly decisions.  

\u201cIt\u2019s a nice sort of framework for using to sort of step back with folks and say, \u2018Are we minding the business?\u2019\u2014as opposed to, say, just stating \u2018I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a wise spend of dollars\u2019 or \u2018That doesn\u2019t really follow our talent mandate,\u2019\u201d remarks Morgan, who again emphasizes that within CallRail, Mind the business is not just a popular phrase but also one that the company has codified.

Says Morgan: \u201cMind the business is how we ultimately achieve trade-offs and prioritizations across the business\u2014it\u2019s what we call a culture statement.\u201d \u2013Jack Sweeney