CFO Plus: High-Performance Business

A Dashboard for Your Business

Your business has a lot in common with a high-performance automobile.

Fifty plus years ago, before the time of computer chips and advanced electronics, aside from the oil and fuel indicators, often times the first sign of a problem came when a car actually broke down.

Nowadays, cars have computerized early warning or "expert" feedback systems that tell owners of any pending problems well in advance of a breakdown. Some systems are even sophisticated enough to prompt us about preventive maintenance. All we have to do is monitor our dashboard indicators to see how well our car is performing.

Your business, just like your car, needs "expert" feedback systems to tell you when things are running smoothly, warn you about pending problems, and keep you on track with preventive maintenance. Unfortunately, most businesses are still run like cars of the past, with a limited amount of information about their company's performance. Generally speaking, the information is limited to financial statements that are, typically, 30-90 days old. This is like trying to drive your business using the rearview mirror.

Often times, this results with owners being forced to make critical decisions about their company's future without the necessary relevant information. It's a little like driving down the road with the windshield covered; you can see where you've been, possibly have a sense of where you are, but you have no indication of where you're going.

Our CFO As You Grow Program includes a five-step approach to help you develop "expert" information feedback systems specific to the type of "business vehicle" you drive. This feedback creates a direct link between financial and non-financial indicators as well as how each department and individual performs in relation to your overall company objectives.

Specifically we seek to identify, monitor, and help you improve Key Performance Indicators relating to the four primary areas of business, Sales and Marketing, Finance, Management and Operations. Under each of these headings there are specific activities that, if fully leveraged, will optimize your company's performance.

Sales & Marketing - Body/Design
Is your company/product appealing to the right audience?
Finance - Suspension
How does your company take the curves and bumps in the road?
Management - Driver
Who's driving the performance of your company?
Operations - Engine
How well does your company perform under changing circumstances?