If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.
— Henry Ford
The Wake-Up Call at AFP FP&A Forum in Austin, TX
Sitting in a room filled with finance leaders from high-caliber organizations, I expected to hear about cutting-edge financial strategies, advanced modeling, and AI-driven forecasting. Instead, what I heard shocked me.
A 4,000-location business focused on rapid growth, yet only recently adopted a budgeting platform to automate its financial processes. Their 40-person FP&A team is now scrambling to catch up, testing AI-driven modeling scenarios to maximize performance.
Countless other large organizations with top-tier finance talent are still wrestling with spreadsheets and hunting for shortcuts to make budgeting “easier.”
The reality? Most companies are behind the curve when it comes to financial planning. Even those with world-class finance teams are running reactive, outdated processes that are costing them time, accuracy, and strategic insight.
And it’s not because they don’t see the need for change—it’s because the solution selection process is more convoluted than ever.
The Real Problem: The Budgeting Technology Conundrum
Today's companies know that better budgeting solutions exist, but they’re stuck in an endless cycle of vendor shopping, demo fatigue, and decision paralysis.
Why? Because every vendor claims to have the “perfect” solution—and without a clear roadmap, businesses end up confused, overwhelmed, and, worst of all, stuck in the same broken budgeting process.
At AFP, I sat in on a breakout session where finance leaders from across industries outlined exactly what they needed in an FP&A solution—and why so many implementations fail.
Here’s what they said...
The Non-Negotiables of a Successful Budgeting Solution
✔ Strong References – Vendors can sell you a dream, but real success comes from proven implementations with similar companies.
✔ Industry-Specific Expertise – Your budgeting needs aren’t the same as a SaaS company or a retail chain. You need a partner who understands your space.
✔ A Prescriptive Approach – The best FP&A solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. They should be tailored to your business model while allowing for scalability and future growth.
✔ Beyond the Basics – Most companies don’t just need a budgeting tool. They need guidance on leveraging it to drive strategic decisions.
✔ Comprehensive Training & Support – Onsite training when needed, remote access for flexibility, and ongoing advisory to ensure your team maximizes the tool’s potential.
✔ A Phased Implementation Plan – Too many companies bite off more than they can chew. A smart rollout strategy prevents burnout and ensures adoption.
✔ End-to-End Support – True value doesn’t end after implementation. Your partner should be with you from discovery to deployment, and beyond.
✔ Project Clarity & Dedicated Leadership – Both the vendor and the company need clear expectations, buy-in from leadership, and a dedicated project manager to ensure success.
Communication matters. At RKL, we use Smartsheets for full project transparency, but we also adapt to the preferred tools of our clients—because clear communication shouldn’t be an obstacle.
The Aha Moment: RKL Has Everything Companies Are Looking For
As I listened to these finance leaders lay out their pain points, it became crystal clear, RKL eSolutions checks every single box: ✔ Industry experience? ✔ Tried-and-true solutions? ✔ A team that guides customers from selection to implementation and beyond?
This is why we continue to grow. It’s why we are respected by both our peers and our customers, and it’s why we don’t just implement budgeting software—we provide a framework for financial transformation.
Where Do You Go From Here?
If your team is stuck in a reactive budgeting cycle, struggling with endless vendor comparisons, or unsure how to take the next step—I’m here to help.
Let’s talk. Let’s get clarity on your budgeting strategy, and let’s build a solution that actually works for your business.