Inside a Robot-as-a-Service Company With Locus Robotics CFO Dustin Pederson

In this episode, CJ interviews Dustin Pederson of Locus Robotics, as part of his series of interviews with CFOs from pre-IPO companies recorded live on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Dustin explains the Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, a subscription-based service, how it works, and how it makes money. He and CJ do a deep dive into business models that rely on supply chains, the unique challenges of managing inventory, and tactical tips for CFOs looking to optimize their cash conversion cycles. They also examine the unique metrics tracked by Locus Robotics as both a hardware and software company compared to that of pure SaaS models. Dustin provides helpful information and tactical advice on how to build an ROI model and present it to buyers. He also shares insights on Locus Robotics’ market positioning, specialized ERPs for warehouses, and how the interactions between humans and robots play out in the companies Locus Robotics serves. If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Leapfin is accounting automation software that automatically prepares and posts reliable journal entries. High-growth businesses like Reddit, Canva, and Seat Geek choose Leapfin to eliminate manual tasks, accelerate month-end close, and enable accounting leaders to provide faster insights to help their companies grow. To automatically standardize your revenue data with measurable business impact, check out leapfin.com today. Mercury is the fintech ambitious companies use for banking and all their financial workflows. With a powerful bank account at the center of their operations, companies can make better financial decisions and ensure that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities. That's why over 100K startups choose Mercury to confidently run all their financial operations with the precision, control, and focus they need to operate at their best. Learn more at mercury.com.Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust®; Members FDIC.NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 37,000 thousand companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist. Maxio is the only billing and financial operations platform that was purpose built for B2B SaaS. They're helping SaaS finance teams automate billing and revenue recognition, manage collections and payments, and put together investor grade reporting packages. 🚀 Request a demo at www.maxio.com/runthenumbers for 10% off your first year.Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:05) Sponsor - Leapfin | Mercury(04:19) The Robot-as-a-Service Model(07:42) Supply Chain Challenges for Hardware Companies(08:50) Working Capital in a Hardware Company(11:12) Tips for CFOs Managing Inventory(12:44) Metrics Tracked by Locus Robotics (14:39) Explaining Locus Robotics’ ROI to a CFO(16:27) Sponsor - Netsuite | Maxio | Planful (19:46) Building and Presenting an ROI Model(22:41) Managing Assets in Unique Business Models(23:51) How Locus Robotics Positions Itself in the Investor Market(25:21) Locus Robotics’ Go-To-Market Motion(27:18) ERPs for Warehouses(28:46) The Interaction Between Humans and Robots(30:14) The Industries Served by Locus Robotics(31:26) Long-ass Lightning Round: A Lesson Learned About Presentations(32:29) Dustin’s Top Three Tips(34:50) Negotiating Tips(37:37) Finance Software Stack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com