In my experience, poor financial management is what causes most underperforming small businesses to fail or not achieve their objectives. Often it is a lack of understanding of how basic business finance works that inhibits owners and leadership teams. You need to fully grasp what makes your economic engine work to make the right investments and calculate appropriate risks.
A business's value is influenced by more than its financial statements. Buyers assess the overall quality of the company, the risks associated with owning it, and the likelihood that its…
Introduction You can spend decades building a business and still be disappointed by what someone is willing to pay for it. That is a difficult realization, especially when you discover…
Managing cash flow effectively is the lifeline of any business, especially for small business owners who often operate…
A Candid Tool to Help Business Owners Understand Where They Stand—and What to Do Next Financial health isn’t…
As a small business owner, achieving and maintaining success requires a clear strategy and a commitment to continuous…
For years, the simple answer was that the CFO leads a company’s finance function. But the role has…
A chief financial officer (CFO) is the highest-ranking financial professional in an organization and is responsible for the…
It has been said that success is where preparation and opportunity meet. Never has there been a more…
Over the last few decades, the role of the CFO has undergone a profound shift. The historical tasks…
Running a small business is as challenging as it is rewarding, especially when it comes to financial management.…
The journey toward financial transparency is a transformative process that can redefine the way you do business. By…
Not all risks are equal. Prioritize them based on their likelihood and potential impact on your business. Focus…
In business, uncertainty is a given. But while we can't always predict or control external factors, we can…
Recent global turbulence raises a question: Is the world shifting to a new economic regime for the long run?…
Whether you’re just getting comfortable with your balance sheet or need a deeper understanding of ratios, cash flow,…
When so much in the world feels beyond our control, costs are to a large extent controllable. But…
When faced with disruptions and downturns, many leaders and companies instinctively focus on cutting costs to maintain profitability.…
Enhancing the financial literacy of your leadership team can yield substantial benefits for your small business, including enhanced decision-making,…
With interest rates rising in real terms, the value of growth strategies has declined. Managers need to look…
During a decade of low interest rates and abundant capital, companies greenlit many projects that make less sense…
The US economy continues to throw off mixed signals. But one thing is becoming clear: executives should prepare…
With a potential economic slowdown looming, the latest results from our first McKinsey CFO Pulse survey1 show that CFOs…
Leaders should build resilience, local agility, and portfolio agility to prepare for the next recession. The worst of…
At times, it’s hard to know what to do as you pivot and adjust to every new business…
Downturns are a recurring fact of life in every industry. Sooner or later, demand for an industry’s products…
Some fans were outraged when man-of-the-people Bruce Springsteen charged more than $5,000 per seat for his upcoming concert.…
Courage still matters in business and in life. Many of us avoid the difficult decisions or talk ourselves…
Business leadership isn't easy. If it were, everyone would be able to do it. Some talented people make…
Previous economic crises have shown us that companies’ paths to recovery are shaped by their industries, regions, and…
Business forecasts are often wrong — and yet they can still be a powerful tool for savvy leaders…
Merchants today are planning and buying for their categories amid one of the hardest inflationary environments industry has…
CPI Inflation Calculator The Illusion of Numbers—Why a Dollar Is Never Just a Dollar Most business decisions are…
Bring the decision you've been circling. The problem you haven't said out loud. The one you've been carrying alone.
Ed’s frameworks, the occasional hard-won lesson, and what he’s reading. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.