At Verbeck Associates, we work with small and mid-sized businesses all the time—most with lean finance teams and owners wearing multiple hats. Sometimes, we need to think like a turnaround. Mission-critical survival. When cash is tight or operational chaos hits, we may have to make hard calls—cut off a leg to save the body. I’ve …
From Surviving to Scaling: Profit Levers for Growing SMBs Read More »
Lately, I’ve been thinking again about what really causes businesses to struggle—or worse, fail. You’ll hear the usual list: cash flow issues, declining sales, or lack of capital. And while those are valid pain points—(hey, I talk about cash flow all the time and am a strong advocate of the 13-week cash flow tool)—these are often …
Execution Over Excuses: The Real Reason Businesses Struggle Read More »
I’ve been using financial ratios for years, and they’ve never failed me. I remember when I was leaving KPMG and pitched my value to a few companies. I had developed a forecast model on Excel that worked beautifully. I took the target company’s financials and highlighted the primary cash flow ratios (DSO, DIO, and DPO). …
The Value of Ratios: How Smart Financial Metrics Drive Business Performance Read More »
We’ve hit the halfway mark of 2025. Before the second half sprints ahead, now’s your chance to pause the hustle, zoom out, and make sure you’re on the right track. Summer is here with its slower pace, family getaways, and a well-deserved breather. But it’s also a golden opportunity to hit pause with purpose. Mid-year is …
Forecasting should give you clarity—but too often, it just gives you a false sense of security. A spreadsheet with perfect rows, tidy formulas—and zero connection to reality. I’ve made the same mistake—Excel can produce whatever numbers you want. It’s not really a forecast. It’s a budget remix with new dates. The Problem: Forecasts Become Fiction …
Let’s face it—most business owners and staff don’t look forward to monthly financial reviews. They either dread them, delay them, or delegate them. Why? Because too often, the meeting feels like a confusing spreadsheet parade or a guilt trip over missed targets. But it shouldn’t be that way. A monthly financial review is one of …
How to Run a Monthly Financial Review without Putting People to sleep Read More »
Imagine a pilot only checking the plane’s instruments once a month. Sounds insane, right? Yet that’s exactly how many business owners operate—waiting for monthly financials to tell them what already happened. Successful leaders don’t fly blind. Visionary CEOs and sharp CFOs rely on weekly dashboards to monitor the business in real time, course-correct quickly, and …
Run Your Business Like a Pilot: The Power of a Weekly Financial Dashboard Read More »
Many believe businesses fail due to poor sales. While revenue is crucial, it’s not the real culprit behind most business failures. The #1 reason businesses fail is cash flow mismanagement. I’ve seen it time and again—businesses with strong sales, expanding customer bases, and solid teams teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Why? Because they lack …
The #1 Reason Why Businesses Fail: It’s Not What You Think Read More »
I’ve been following Mark DeLuzio on LinkedIn for a while. He’s a Lean legend, and as a passionate advocate for Lean myself, I’m always looking for ways to boost efficiency and streamline processes. Mark frequently talks about Kaizen, the practice of continuous improvement, and how essential it is to examine and refine our processes regularly. I completely agree, …
Kaizen and Continuous Improvement: A CFO’s Perspective on Lean Efficiency Read More »
As we dive into 2025, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have a world of opportunities and challenges ahead. Focusing on strategies that boost efficiency, profitability, and financial stability is key to staying competitive and driving growth. Here’s a look at some top strategies you can implement to make 2025 your best year yet: 1. Leverage …