WEEKLY EDITION BY MARINA MOUKA

Welcome to your latest CFO's Weekend Digest, your go-to source for the week’s top insights and updates tailored for financial leaders.

INSIGHTS

Harness the power of AI OCR for seamless Sage invoicing

Despite using Sage, many finance teams still rely on manual invoice processing, which is slow, error-prone, and costly. AI-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems automate invoice capture, significantly cutting costs and improving accuracy.

For CFOs, OCR enables better cash-flow planning, real-time forecasting, and stronger audit readiness. Solutions like PaperLess and Yooz integrate directly with Sage, providing up to 80% time savings and reducing risk of duplicate payments.

Key metrics like cost per invoice and approval time help assess ROI. In 2025, Sage OCR isn't just about efficiency—it’s about turning finance into a strategic driver.

NEWS ANALYSIS

Is AI just a convenient excuse for job cuts? CrowdStrike’s move raises eyebrows

CrowdStrike plans to cut 500 jobs, citing AI efficiencies—yet critics are skeptical. CEO George Kurtz called AI a “force multiplier,” enabling faster product development and leaner teams.

But after last year’s global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike’s update error, some argue the layoffs reflect financial stress, not innovation. Experts warn that AI is increasingly used as a justification for cost-cutting, even when adoption is shallow.

Gartner data shows only 8% of employees use AI to improve productivity. The concern: companies may sacrifice talent in a tech pivot that’s more about optics than operations.

INSIGHTS

Human capital and performance management – insights from Tokyo

Business success hinges not just on strategy or product, but on engaged, empowered people. In Japan, over 80% of listed firms voluntarily produce Integrated Reports, reflecting a culture where human capital is seen as central to performance.

Peter Spence explores how Integrated Performance Management (IPM) bridges the strategy-execution gap by aligning workforce engagement with corporate goals.

With global employee engagement at just 21%, firms risk losing productivity worth $438 billion. Investors increasingly seek insight into how companies nurture talent. The takeaway? People don’t just execute strategy—they are the strategy. Businesses must act accordingly.