Podcast & blog

For private company owners, managers, and investors.

Episodes and articles on valuation, capital, strategy, and the risks that quietly suppress what a private company is worth.

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131 posts
Is a 2.5% Fed Funds Rate a Sign of Health or Distress?

Dec 20, 2018

Is a 2.5% Fed Funds Rate a Sign of Health or Distress?

The Story Several years ago the Federal Reserve embarked on a path that most accepted as the right medicine for an economy in recession.…

Is Your Cash in Your Bank Account or Your Customer’s?

Nov 5, 2018

Is Your Cash in Your Bank Account or Your Customer’s?

A few years ago I was beginning an engagement to help a company figure our some of its internal problems and I asked the…

5 Tips to Improve the Value of Your Business

Oct 11, 2018

5 Tips to Improve the Value of Your Business

1. Find the niche in which you can create sustainable value for your customers better than your competitors. The list of companies that have…

My Unprofitable Profitable Business

Sep 19, 2018

My Unprofitable Profitable Business

As I looked back on the first year of running my first business I was proud of the profit I had made. I had…

Learning from Experience

Jul 13, 2018

Learning from Experience

Quote that came this week out of our Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses National Cohort where I lead the finance and accounting modules, "We…

Your Employees’ Fear Even More Terrifying Than Death

Jun 25, 2018

Your Employees’ Fear Even More Terrifying Than Death

You may have seen, or at least heard of, popular surveys, that ask people to rank their fears The hilarious outcome usually ranks death…

More Reasons to Monitor Your Company’s Metrics

Jun 5, 2018

More Reasons to Monitor Your Company’s Metrics

While the owners of companies in decline often readily agree that cash flow forecasts and metrics need to be monitored on a regular basis,…

It’s All About Profit. Right?

Jun 1, 2018

It’s All About Profit. Right?

Many managers are missing key aspects of their company's performance When I review financial performance with managers of middle-market private companies I find, with…

Early Warning Signs of Decline

Mar 12, 2018

Early Warning Signs of Decline

Business decline happens, but is often avoidable. Decline can occur because of both Internal Factors and External Factors (and a detailed assessment of each…

Musings on Global Travel

Feb 3, 2018

Musings on Global Travel

A testament to the state of humanity As my recent trip to Hong Kong was short, I probably spent almost as much time in…

Do you know why you do what you do?

Jan 20, 2018

Do you know why you do what you do?

Just returned from the inspiring AM&AA winter conference in Miami. A private equity equity guy on a panel made a comment that stuck with…

(Mis)Adventures in Dashboard Metrics

Sep 5, 2017

(Mis)Adventures in Dashboard Metrics

Dashboards have been a hot topic in business literature lately. Recommendations that business owners implement a dashboard for their business abound; however, advice on…