Hi Reader,

Most researches take you hours.

You start with a simple question…
Suddenly, it’s 90 minutes later, and you’re buried in sources that don’t match your business.

That’s why I’ve been using a new functionality that only a few people know about: Deep Research​
It’s a smarter, faster way to get to the facts that matter and save hundreds of hours.

This week, I’m breaking down two use cases for you:

1. How to find benchmarks that actually match your business
2. How to pick a conference without blowing up your T&E budget

Before we start with the use cases, there is something important happening today that I don't want you to miss.

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Use Case 1: Finding Benchmarks That Actually Fit

Why Most CFOs Waste Time with Google

Here’s what usually happens:

• You search for SaaS metrics and get stats from $500M ARR public giants
• Most data is cherry-picked and totally unsourced
• You burn hours combing through PDFs for one usable number

Sound familiar?

Deep Research Fixes That

Instead of browsing blindly, Deep Research gives you structure upfront:

You define the filters: ARR range, vertical, geography, metrics, time period.
Then the model delivers actual numbers, with citations. Think: medians, top-quartile, and performance ranges, tied to real reports.

Example of how Deep Research works:

Why it works:

• Clear filters = no off-topic results
• Specific metrics = real numbers, not stories
• Sources included = ready to drop into your board deck

What to Do With the Output

Once you’ve got the numbers, the next step is interpretation.

• If your gross margin is below the median, audit your COGS. Fixing hosting costs or support bloat can unlock seven figures
• If EBITDA is dragging, recheck your hiring plan or ad spend Investors now want balance, not just burn
• If churn’s over 15%, you’ve got a retention problem. Automate CS, push annuals, and close the hole
• If LTV/CAC is under 3×, your unit economics won’t scale. Either lower CAC (hello PLG), or upsell your way to better ARPA

And that’s just the short-term stuff.

Longer term? Use the data to shape comp plans, inform budget goals, or help decide whether to chase efficiency or growth.

Skip the consultants. Let Deep Research give you the data so you can focus on the decisions.

Note: I also advise you to cherry-pick the source you want but also make sure you proof-check the facts coming from the output.

Use Case 2: Choosing a Conference Without Burning Cash

The Problem: Too Many Events, Not Enough Filters

Imagine you want to attend a conference but don't know which is the right one for you.

You type “finance conferences” into Google and get a hot mess:
Crypto expos. Tax workshops. Excel bootcamps. No structure. No pricing. No travel estimates.

So we ran a Deep Research pass with hard constraints:

• U.S.-only events
• From May 2025 onward
• Max $2,000 total cost
• No August clashes
• Must focus on corporate finance, AI/analytics, and advanced Excel
• Must include actual travel cost from NYC
• Must cite sources

A shallow search can’t hit all that. Deep Research can.

We scraped event sites, checked hotel blocks, pulled early-bird pricing, and estimated door-to-door costs from New York. What came back? A curated, CFO-ready list of 20 events.
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Example of how Deep Research did it:

What You Do With the Output

Here’s how to use the results:

• Spot total cost at a glance — including travel. That $1,399 Vegas event? It’s really $1,749
• See when key events cluster — FP&A-heavy stuff drops in May–June, Excel nerd camps in December
• Score each event — weigh topic fit, total cost, and travel time. Anything that clears 80/100? Calendar it
• Verify fast — thanks to citations, your analyst can check speaker lineups and fees in two clicks
• Feed it straight into your budget — drop the cost column into your T&E plan, lock in early-bird pricing

Want to search again later? Just change the filters — swap themes (like ESG instead of Excel), or origin city, and the system works again.

This is the kind of tips that will save you a lot of hours and make you act fast.

I really suggest that you start using Deep Research on a regular basis because it will save you hours of work each week. It’s about saving hours every week and getting answers you can trust.

Whether you’re prepping a board deck, comparing benchmarks, or planning Q3 travel…
Deep Research gives you what you need efficiently.

Got a use case you want to see next?​
Let me know, and I'll make sure I feature it in one of the upcoming issues.

​

Best,
Your AI Finance Coach, Nicolas
​
​P.S. Want to learn live about the use cases I just described?
​ 👉 Join today for a free masterclass where I will teach it.​