Welcome to the 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, Vertex’s John Schwab shares how he structures his mornings, success in a team environment and his wall of deal monuments.
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Vertex
- A global provider of indirect tax solutions
- Year founded: 1978
- Number of employees: Over 1500
- Annual Revenue: $170.4M
MORNING ROUTINE
Walk us through your normal workday morning routine. Any morning pick-me-ups? I’m an early riser — typically I’m up by 4:30 a.m. I start by reviewing emails and catching up on overnight developments. I try to work out three to four days a week to stay grounded. Afterward, I read the Wall Street Journal for the latest news.
Although we’re a remote-first company, I still make it to the office around three days a week, depending on travel and in-person meetings. My morning pick-me-up is simple, iced tea and Diet Coke throughout the day.
What was a recent morning that didn’t go as planned, and how did you adjust? Recently, we completed our acquisition of ecosio, an Austrian-based technology and services company. Given the time zone difference, our legal team had a head start on processing transaction-related information. I adapted by prioritizing those emails and time-sensitive tasks over my regular schedule. Over time, I’ve learned to shift my focus to handle high-priority items as they come up.
How do you structure your first few hours after you log on at work? The first few hours of my day involve check-ins with various team members. I typically start early, which allows me to connect with our European team before moving on to other early risers. These check-ins focus on project status updates and preparing for upcoming priorities.
INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP
Favorite quote or mantra: Maintain your focus on your “North Star.” In the flurry of daily activities and problem-solving, it’s easy to get sidetracked rather than staying focused on the primary goals. Always take a moment to return to your North Star and ensure you are grounded in what you are striving to achieve. Let others engage in the distractions — your energy is best spent on advancing what’s most important.
Favorite leadership lesson: Early in my career, while reorganizing my finance department, I was focused on hiring individuals to address our immediate needs. My boss at the time gave me invaluable advice that I still rely on today: while managing current challenges is important, we should be hiring talent capable of solving the issues and meeting the challenges the company will face in the next two to three years.
This meant prioritizing high-potential individuals who had experience in larger organizations, which proved critical to our success. At the same time, it’s essential to find the right people who align with the company’s culture, as culture plays a tremendous role in a team’s ability to succeed. Business evolves, and the team must be adaptable, regularly pivoting to meet shifting goals.
Striking the right balance between strong contributors and adaptable leaders is key. By bringing in top talent and providing the right support, you enable the organization to deliver its best results.
Something important to know about me that you wouldn’t know from my business bio: I’m an avid outdoorsman. I enjoy fishing, hiking and spending quality time with family, often at the Jersey Shore.
The last job you did at your company that fell outside your traditional scope of work: Although we’re a remote-first company, I’m frequently at the office. One task I take on weekly is sorting through the finance team’s incoming mail. We still receive a decent number of checks and other correspondence requiring input from our legal, payables and receivables teams. Handling this mail gives me a sense of contributing in a hands-on way.
One way you have learned to manage work-induced stress: My morning workout routine is essential for managing stress. With much of my day filled with Teams meetings, I make it a point to step away from the office or home around lunchtime for a change of scenery. Whether it’s a drive to grab another iced tea or Diet Coke or a quick walk, this break recharges me for the rest of the day.
Favorite number: Growing up as the oldest of five children, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the number 5 — it’s been my favorite for as long as I can remember. Being part of a close-knit family taught me the importance of staying connected and aligned, values that continue to shape my approach to relationships and teamwork today.
Most noteworthy items in my workspace: In my office, I have a wall of ‘deal monuments’ commemorating various transactions I’ve worked on at Vertex, each representing a significant achievement for the Vertex team.
We are very focused on our strategy and ensuring that all of our activities are in support of the enterprise strategy and the objectives that we have put in place to achieve the strategy.
Each of those transactions has required significant time and effort from many of the cross-functional teams that drove the initiatives and to me they are an acknowledgment of everyone’s contributions to the success.
Do you have a pet sitting in your office right now? Yes, my dog is often in the office with me.
Favorite phone app that is unrelated to work: It may sound a little geeky, but I travel frequently in the Northeastern Corridor. As such I am regularly on trains to commute to various events. I frequently use the Amtrak app, as it simplifies booking travel from Boston to DC and you can make changes on the fly which is a big part of my routine.
The most important thing you’ve recently read: I recently came across an article about creating and maintaining high-performing teams, framed through the lens of a football team. While the focus was on sports, I found striking parallels with the strategies business leaders employ to drive performance.
At the core of the team’s success was ensuring everyone bought into the game plan. Knowing the strategy and understanding how it would play out during the game was foundational. Equally important was preparation — having the best athletes in the right positions to execute the required plays effectively.
Communication stood out as another critical component, ensuring everyone was aligned for each play and able to execute seamlessly. Measuring results was emphasized as well — analyzing what worked, what didn’t, and understanding the reasons behind those outcomes. Lastly, there was a strong focus on adaptability, with mid-game adjustments and pivots made in response to the opposing team’s defensive strategies.
As I reflected on the article, it became evident that the components driving high-performing teams (whether in the NFL or business) are remarkably similar. Clear strategy, preparation, communication, measurement and adaptability are universal pillars of success in any team environment.
