Articles
Ask the CFO July 1, 2025: Are You Still Doing Work a Bot Could Handle?
We kicked off July’s Ask the CFO with a bit of classic irony — tech issues on a day I planned to talk about… tech. After a brief detour into split screens and microphone mysteries, we got rolling.
And honestly, it felt like the perfect metaphor.
Because when it comes to business operations, most of us are still dealing with a lot of “split screens.” Systems that don’t talk to each other. Processes that eat up valuable time. People working harder than they should just to keep things from fallin…
Want Better Margins? Start with Better Tools
Stop Flying Blind: Use Tech to Track and Control Costs
One of the biggest mistakes I see mid-sized business owners make is this: they try to run a $25 million company with $2 million tools.
I’ve been in more than a few meetings where someone tells me they “track everything in spreadsheets” or “get the reports from accounting once a month.” That may have worked ten years ago. But if tariffs, rising costs, and unpredictable supply chains are hitting your bottom line, you need real-time visib…
Ask the CFO June 17 2025: Tariffs, Pricing, and the Power of Picking Up the Phone
Let’s talk tariffs.
If you’re like most companies I work with, you’re staring down unclear rules, surprise charges on invoices, and vendors shrugging when you ask what’s going on. Right now, one of my clients is dealing with a 25% tariff—originally aimed at China—but it’s hitting their steel imports from Mexico. We’re asking basic questions like: Do we keep buying from Mexico and eat the tariff, or just shift sourcing to the U.S.? No one’s giving clear answers.
The bottom line? You can’t wait …
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and What Your Business Should Be Doing Right Now
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and What Your Business Should Be Doing Right Now: Lessons from the June 3 Ask the CFO Session with Lowell Mora
When it comes to tariffs and trade wars, one thing is clear: no one has all the answers. But during our June 3 “Ask the CFO” session, Lowell Mora didn’t aim to predict the unpredictable—he focused on the actions business leaders can and should take right now to weather tariff uncertainty and strengthen long-term resilience.
A Wake-Up Call for Vendor Strategy
Lowe…
How to Talk Price Hikes Without Losing Your Customers
Don’t Go Silent—Talk to Your Customers
Let’s be honest—no one likes delivering bad news, especially when it’s about rising costs. But if you’re feeling the pressure of tariffs, your customers probably are too. The worst move you can make? Going quiet.
In my experience, especially with small to mid-sized companies, too many leaders put off these conversations or try to absorb all the impact themselves. That leads to squeezed margins, strained operations, and resentment all aro…
Facing Tariff Pressure? Here’s How to Protect Your Margins
How to Cut Costs Without Cutting Corners
Let’s talk reality. Tariffs and trade disruptions aren't just headline news—they hit your bottom line fast. And while I’ve always believed you can’t “cut your way to growth,” there are smart, strategic ways to trim the fat and boost efficiency without putting your operations at risk.
Over the past few months, I’ve worked with multiple clients to protect margins by attacking costs with precision—not panic. What I’ve learned? Most busine…
Tariffs Are Changing Everything—Is Your Supplier Strategy Ready?
Navigating Tariffs: Why Supplier Diversification Is No Longer Optional
When tariffs hit, they don’t just impact your profit margins—they expose your operational vulnerabilities. One of the biggest? Overreliance on a single supplier or geography.
Too many businesses, especially in the $5–50M range, have “set it and forget it” supplier relationships. They’re working with the same vendor they’ve had for years, assuming that consistency equals safety. But when political tides shi…
Smart Vendor Strategy = Smoother Operations + Better Margins
Strengthening Your Supply Chain: Why Vendor & Supplier Management Is Key to Operational Excellence
In today’s unpredictable business environment, operational excellence isn’t just about running lean or hitting internal KPIs—it’s about building resilient systems that can adapt, flex, and scale. One of the most critical (and often underappreciated) areas for achieving this is how you manage your vendors and suppliers.
Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or service provider, your ability …
Inventory, Pricing & Tariffs: What Every Business Needs to Watch Right Now
Thanks to everyone who joined me for the May 20th Ask the CFO! Whether you were on live or catching the replay, I’m always grateful for your time and engagement.
This session turned into a rich conversation that touched on three critical areas impacting small to mid-sized businesses today: inventory management, pricing and costing strategy, and the evolving landscape around tariffs and supply chains.
Let’s break down the big takeaways.
Inventory Optimization Isn’t Optional
I started our di…
Is Your Pricing Strategy Helping or Hurting Your Bottom Line?
Pricing & Margin Analysis: The Overlooked Lever of Operational Excellence
For many business owners, pricing is more gut instinct than strategy. You charge what the market seems to allow, adjust when competitors shift, and hope for healthy margins in the end. But here's the truth: without intentional pricing and margin analysis, you're leaving money—and stability—on the table.
Operational excellence isn’t just about cutting costs or improving efficiency. It’s also about knowing your value and p…
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