• Why planning a holiday impacts your future success

    Going on vacation this December? If you're heading out of town and maybe even out of country, I bet you have done the following things: Agreed on the timing with your family Decided on a destination (and booked the hotel if applicable) Decided how you are going to get there and booked your mode if travel (if necessary) Booked a rental car (if needed) Checked that your passport is still valid[...]

    Read more

    Creating a growth-oriented culture

    Owners, executives and management today are faced with a dramatically different and changing environment, one that they have never faced in the history of their businesses. The new and ever evolving (and lightning fast) digital space, combined with rapidly evolving demographics has dramatically changed forever the playing field upon which we enter ever morning of our business lives.  Why?  [...]

    Read more

    How a part-time executive helps grow your business

    The concept of a part-time executive is becoming much more common. As a business growth strategy many mid-sized businesses realize that they function successfully with the resource of a part-time executive, without the need to engage a full-time employee in every role. Depending on the need, part-time executives can be engaged for short-term assignments or on a permanent basis, much like an [...]

    Read more

    The Ten-Step One-Day Strategic Plan for Profitable Growth

    You don't have to kill a tree or shut down the office for a week to create a successful strategic plan. In fact, you can create a successful plan for your business in just one day. It doesn't have to be an overwhelming or a monumental task. It doesn’t have to be perfect or fancy. Just designate some of your key people in your organization and plan a day to develop your strategy. However you will[...]

    Read more

    Ten Financial basics for business growth

    Many mid-sized businesses that are focused on their business growth strategy are constrained by the resources available for the accounting and finance function. These owners or CEOs often ask me about this dilemma. Here are the ten essentials that I believe must be in every business for the Accounting function to support a dynamic, growing business: Establish formal, written credit & [...]

    Read more

    The Five Most Critical Factors to get Business Growth

    Don't get distracted by all the fancy tools you may see in your marketing toolbox. They are important, but only within a relevant context. Tools cannot be utilized effectively if there is not a nail to be smacked into the wall, or a light that needs to be fixed, or a wall that needs to be patched. There are circumstances that need to be in place before any particular tool can be used in an [...]

    Read more

    Industry expertise - is it relevant?

    When my clients are hiring, they often express a preference for someone from the same industry. They assume that the individual will have a much easier time familiarizing themselves with, and contributing to, the needs of the particular business. The same issue is often raised when I am being considered as a consultant or coach. I have always believed that for management roles, diversity is [...]

    Read more

    It's the little things that mean so much

    I was blown away recently when I was listening to Terry O'Reilly's podcast "Under the Influence". While his topics have always been unique, inspiring and motivating, it was the one about "the little things" that really hit home. Why? Because most of us are always in pursuit of the home run, and it's exactly that pursuit that blinds us to the small and very obvious stuff that can really make a [...]

    Read more

    The Strategic CFO or Controller

    Do you worry that you are perceived as a "bean counter" or do people call you that "in jest"? How do you get away from this disparaging label? Beans are a cheap commodity, so to count them is a rather silly thing to do. A "bean counter" is one who nitpicks over small things. It is a derogatory term for accountants, bankers, and anyone who holds a financial interest in an endeavor.” A bean [...]

    Read more

    CPI - Consumer Price Index or something much more exciting?

    CPI is a term that most people who studied economics, accounting or business would understand and relate to as: Consumer Price Index.  While this term is sometimes used to measure inflation at a consumer level, it has a new and more exciting meaning that will represent a new capability for business owners and executives looking to grow, improve or transition their businesses. In this case, CPI [...]

    Read more