Intellectual property (IP) is a key component of a company’s assets, in some cases the most valuable asset a business owns.
As CFO of Anaqua, a company that provides IP software and services to help corporations gain a competitive advantage from their IP, James Rochette understands the dynamics of the IP market. Rochette joined Anaqua in 2022 after five years as CFO of Orolia. He has more than 25 years of experience in leading financial strategies in both private equity-backed and publicly traded companies.
James Rochette
CFO, Anaqua
First CFO position: 2015
Notable previous employers:
- Safran (previously Orolia)
- InfoVista
- Arkadi
The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
BOB VIOLINO: What are some of the key trends you’re seeing in the intellectual property market, and how are they impacting your company?
JAMES ROCHETTE: For most modern companies, global expansion is a key part of growth. However, today’s foreign technology landscape is complex, especially when it comes to intellectual property rights.
At Anaqua, we’ve seen an increase in demand from our clients for support around IP foreign filing strategies as organizations seek to globalize their IP portfolios. It’s a considerable undertaking that requires local expertise in IP law and workflows in each jurisdiction, as well as accurate translations.
How does IP remain resilient through economic ups and downs, and why is a company’s IP portfolio such an important financial asset?
ROCHETTE: When faced with economic turmoil or uncertainty, companies’ first reaction may be to scale back their spending related to intellectual property, but maintaining momentum in filings is critical during economic downturns.
A properly managed IP portfolio will keep the core of the business running despite these stripped-down budgets. IP provides companies with a competitive edge by protecting their products, services and innovations. This protection enables companies to maintain market share and demand even during economic downturns, acting as both a safeguard and a growth driver. Consequently, it ensures stability and long-term success despite economic fluctuations.
“The goal of automation and digitization of finance is to collect as much data as possible while streamlining manual tasks that traditionally drain time and resources.”
James Rochette
CFO, Anaqua
What do you expect to see for the remainder of 2024 in terms of the digitization of finance and the ongoing rise of artificial intelligence?
ROCHETTE: As companies plan for 2025, finance teams will begin to evaluate decision-making capabilities through the use of automated data analysis and predictive analytics, particularly in relation to accounts receivable and accounts payable and forecasting tools.
The goal of automation and digitization of finance is to collect as much data as possible while streamlining manual tasks that traditionally drain time and resources. It increases productivity without increasing headcount, which is essential in a tight labor market making it harder for finance teams to adequately staff talent.
We’ll continue to see generative AI and automation tools become integrated into finance departments to reduce errors and manual labor, and [allowing] teams to focus more on value-added tasks.
With the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming presidential election and the future of the country, how can CFOs best prepare their companies for whatever comes their way?
ROCHETTE: Regardless of political changes or policy uncertainty, the fundamental principle that drives corporate success is understanding and meeting customer demands.
CFOs should prioritize shutting out the noise and focus instead on prioritizing meeting customer needs and customer satisfaction. This involves continuously innovating to meet evolving needs and ensuring financial strategies are aligned with customer goals.
This approach will provide stability and growth, regardless of the external political landscape.
