We’ve had a few new potential clients wonder how our CXO assistance would fit into their firm. Not that they doubted we could provide excellent Chief Financial, Chief Executive, or Chief Research Officer capabilities, but how we could interface with their folks and improve their operations long-term.
Continue reading Go forth and multiply
I’ve been saying for a long time that we don’t really need to change the minimum wage. No, that does NOT mean I believe that businesses have been paying their employees appropriately.
Continue reading Profits at the Expense of You and Me
A few weeks ago, I spoke how interim CEOs often cook the books– so they can be permanently appointed. That happens to be a marginally (or fully) criminal endeavor. But, many, many other CEOs obfuscate results so that their stock price stays high- and that often sets their (ridiculously high) compensation levels.
Continue reading Pinocchio CEO’s
I’m sure you remember me talking about one of my B2C clients. (You don’t? Shame on you!) In that piece, I discussed why we need to focus on how each of our actions mesh with our vision, mission statement, and operational plan.
Continue reading Profits < > Positive Cash Flow
I read an interesting article the other day that was directed at improving the gross revenue of lawyers. (You DO know I serve as the CFO for a variety of different entities, right?)
Continue reading Time Machine?
It’s time to review the facts again. Because it’s reporting season- when companies let us know how profitable they’ve been- and how much we should reward the CEO’s who (they want us to believe) are solely responsible for this situation. Yet, these same CEO’s seem to get rewards even if the results are poor. So, before I switch gears, let me just say I look forward to the promised regulations that will require companies to publish performance gains AND CEO pay increases side by side.
Continue reading Wages and Profits
Wow. One would think from reading the headlines that the US Banks are in deep trouble. Below you will find two headlines from the Wall Street Journal. They make the bank conditions seem ominous.
Continue reading Crocodile Tears
I can remember a time, not so long ago…
Yup, when Congressmen (there were maybe 1 or 2 women, who ‘inherited’ their spouses’ seats) were held in relative high regard. And, car salesmen were the low men (again- same statement) on the totem pole. Now, Congressfolks have a public approval rating that would make Idi Amin (go ahead, look him up!) blush- and car salesman have vanished (almost) from the face of the earth.
Continue reading Another one (ok, a whole bunch of them) bites the dust…
I read a manuscript today and realized that I am guilty of believing in myths. Perhaps, you are guilty of the same crime. Crime, you ask? Yes, it’s a crime when we don’t get paid for the value we provide our clients.
A few days ago, I described a meeting I attended- on social responsibility. (I wrote about it here.) It made me consider how the firms I have started and been involved with would qualify by those metrics.
Continue reading Did that model apply?
