What a week!
I can't believe we're almost 2 weeks out, I feel like I am still recovering. During the last week of September, the Jirav team headed to San Mateo, California to sponsor SaaStr Annual 2021, the world’s #1 cloud gathering. SaaS executives, founders, and VCs came together both in-person and digitally for the world’s largest SaaS community event on the planet!
Here are a few takeaways from the Jirav team...
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1. Every company handles their finances differently.
A majority of the companies at SaaStr are still using Google Sheets or Excel to build and manage their financial model for their business. Many of their employees are spending countless hours in Excel when they could be dedicating their time to other responsibilities. Take word from Nakul Tandon, Chief Financial Officer at Adarza Biosystems, a company who provides innovative technology tools for medical research and diagnostic testing. With Jirav in place, Adarza has dramatically accelerated financial planning. “After linking Netsuite, building an entire model takes just a few hours in Jirav, when it might have taken several days in the past,” said Nakul.
2. More companies seem to be intrigued by nailing down their business planning from an early stage.
In order to win over investors to fund their businesses, they need to have a detailed, accurate forecast. Additionally, backing up their plans with a reliable forecast gives validity and minimizes risk to their business models. In the past this has meant either hiring an advisor to build one, or building their own rudimentary Excel model. As innovators themselves, they welcome the opportunity to leverage new technologies to establish best practices earlier on, particularly if the cost and implementation are manageable. Continuing to position ourselves as thought leaders in the start-up space will help us accelerate winning their business.
3. Events IRL are back!
I’ll have to admit, I was exhausted by the time I made it home but it was so worth it. Being able to converse in person with your colleagues, clients and prospects makes a world of difference after a year of video calls. In-person conversation allows for people to read each other's body language and hear their tone of voice. Non-verbal cues can tell you a lot about a person, and that's information that you can't always pick up on over email, the phone, or even video chat.
4. Network!!!
As a marketer, I took the event as a chance not only to promote my company but meet other professionals and connect with them to discuss current trends, benefit from new ideas, and ultimately build relationships. After an event, I leave with a sense of motivation. When you are placed in a room with like-minded individuals and colleagues, it’s hard not to go home feeling inspired and wonder what else your company can be doing. There is always room for improvement!
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5. Outdoor conferences (& good weather) make for a fun atmosphere and high energy!
This year we were blessed with the good weather San Mateo had to offer. Chilly mornings and hot afternoons, we made sure to pack our jackets for the morning and break out the t-shirts once Happy Hour hit. Maybe I am deprived of Vitamin D up in Seattle, but being outdoors for an event rather than an enclosed, windowless ballroom was a nice change of scenery. We’ll be sure to bring our sunglasses next year because our future's so bright… (and so was the sun).
6. Bring more giraffes...
...and if thats not enough, bring more! I mean, who doesn’t want a stuffed animal giraffe...whether it be for yourself, your kids, your colleague, or your mom's friend's cousin's son who LOVES giraffes! 🦒😉
If you were able to stop by our booth, we appreciate you taking the time to have a conversation with us. In case you missed out, or weren't able to attend our CEO & Co-Founder, Martin Zych’s session at SaaStr Square Park, you're in luck! We are hosting a webinar where he will discuss the 4 Ways Our Financial Model Saved Us Millions in Spending, Allowed Us to Move Faster, and Drive Up Net Retention with Jirav!
