A CFO’s Guide to Uncertainty: Turning Insights into Action
Sponsored by Datasite | Based on CFO Brew’s Virtual Event

In an economic climate defined by rapid change and persistent unpredictability, CFOs are being asked to do more than ever. From managing external shocks to navigating evolving M&A conditions, finance leaders must remain clear-eyed, agile, and grounded in what they can control.

During CFO Brew’s recent virtual event, “A CFO’s Guide to Uncertainty,” sponsored by Datasite, finance experts from Baker Tilly and Datasite shared practical strategies for managing change, making smart deals, and embracing AI. Here are the key discussions and takeaways.

You can’t control the weather but you can read the forecast

Chris Anand, Principal at Baker Tilly’s CFO Advisory Practice, opened the conversation with a simple truth: uncertainty is inevitable. What matters is how you prepare for it.

“You can’t try to control external events. All you can do is be prepared for change,” Anand explained.

That means paying close attention to key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying persistent trends or sudden anomalies, and using those insights to inform action. Whether it’s a delayed sales cycle or changing pricing dynamics, CFOs should treat KPIs like an early-warning system, a way to identify headwinds before they become storms.

Takeaway: Focus on what’s within your control. Monitor KPIs closely, adapt your strategy, and act decisively when trends shift.

Scenario planning is essential, not optional

Rather than reacting to every global disruption, Anand recommends scenario modeling and planning for various outcomes, so you’re not caught flat-footed when the unexpected happens.

For example, if your sales cycle slows, you might need to revisit pricing, assess market competitiveness, or reevaluate customer acquisition strategies. Waiting for certainty is a risk in itself.

Takeaway: Uncertainty doesn’t mean paralysis. Build flexibility into your plans and be ready to pivot based on real-time data.

M&A: A time to play offense

Jamie Kidd, Senior Programming Manager at Morning Brew, continued the conversation with Doug Cullen, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Datasite. Cullen noted that while M&A deal closures are down, deal kickoffs are on the rise suggesting that companies are still looking for opportunities, even amid volatility.

“Yes is great, no is good, and maybe sucks,” Cullen quipped, emphasizing the need to shorten the decision-making window in deals.

Datasite’s platform focuses on accelerating the deal process by improving collaboration, reducing inefficiencies, and enabling faster go/no-go decisions. That’s critical, as M&A remains costly and time-consuming.

Takeaway: In today’s climate, M&A favors the bold, but also the prepared. The faster you can move from “maybe” to clarity, the better.

AI: Streamlining the deal process

AI is becoming a major differentiator in M&A. Cullen shared how Datasite has integrated AI tools to enhance categorization, searchability, and entity extraction within deal documents. By automating the organization and evaluation of large data sets, teams can focus on strategic thinking rather than manual tasks.

“Generative AI is highly effective at evaluating human language, and that’s what deal documents are,” said Cullen.

Still, he acknowledged that some skepticism remains. Adoption is growing, but so is the need for governance, transparency, and trust.

Takeaway: AI won’t replace human judgment, but it will make your team faster, smarter, and more efficient. Invest in tools that free up your team to focus on what matters most.

Datasite: M&A’s early warning system

One of Datasite’s biggest advantages is its visibility into early deal activity. With over 55,000 projects annually, the company often sees what’s coming months before deals are announced publicly.

“We’re like the canary in the coal mine,” said Cullen. “We have this early view of M&A activity before it hits the headlines.”

Their platform not only enables better deals but helps teams navigate evolving regulatory scrutiny, macroeconomic shifts, and cultural fit, often overlooked but critical in M&A success.

Conclusion: Be proactive, not reactive

If there’s one consistent message from this conversation, it’s this: uncertainty isn’t going away. But CFOs who ground their strategies in real data, surround themselves with the right tools and talent, and stay prepared for multiple outcomes will be far better equipped to lead through it.

Final thought from Cullen:
“Deals are a team sport. Technology can make you faster and sharper, but you still need the right experts at the table.”

In other words: uncertainty may be the norm, but inaction doesn’t have to be.

Interested in leveling up your dealmaking strategy?
Learn more about Datasite’s AI-powered M&A tools at datasite.com.