When was it? I believe it was around 1992 or 1993 when I first heard the term EBITDA. I was confused at first because I think I heard at least four different pronunciations of the name. I was skeptical from the very beginning–I saw way too many peers from the financial and operational ranks who…
If you are in the early stages of your part-time CFO practice, you will be faced with the opportunity of serving a potential competitor of an existing client. Do you take the job or decline the work? I have always had an unwritten guiding principle of never serving a competitor. But there are exceptions, probably….
I never come right out and ask it, but I find out from every CEO what keeps them up at night or what pains they wish they could eliminate immediately. Without fail, that’s why they typically hire me almost on the spot after I start giving them solutions to their concerns. You see, I’m helping…
Mark, should I write on Quora? Will it help my business? I write on Quora where I have more than 2 million answer views. I have around 600 followers. But I don’t write on Quora for the reasons you may think. The Only Reason I Write on Quora I’ve been writing on Quora seriously since…
I do not recommend using a number in your domain name. It’s potentially confusing. Are we supposed to type the number or spell it out? Additionally, it takes extra effort to reach the number on your keyboard. And yes, tell the truth. You have to cheat to look for the number, right? I generally do….
I’m a systems and process guy. It’s just instinctual, I can’t help it. If you’ve seen my email signature, you’ll see the numbers 8-8-2-2, my Kolbe profile. The second 8 reveals my Follow Thru instinct on a 1-to-10 scale. Perhaps this is why I follow a consistent practice after every introductory meeting. Four Steps I…
Several years ago, I served a client who appeared to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. This CEO was running a business passed down from his father. While the company was stable, his personal life was not. I was more than his part-time CFO. I was more his priest. A 2012 survey…
Within one 12-month period, I became the sounding board for two start-up microbrewers. I told them they were wasting their time. I was ignorant about this industry. I even joked that I was the all-time designated driver for friends and colleagues. I think both founders were hard of hearing. They kept calling me asking for…
Am I allowed to suggest the obvious? Please grant me one mulligan for recommending what I believe is common sense. And before I go on, I’m only about 80% successful in what I’m about to preach to my peers in the consulting industry. Remember, We’re in the Giving Business I’m tight with my money. Maybe…
I grew up admiring and appreciating NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, Roger Staubach. But I didn’t like him. He had this uncanny ability to beat my St. Louis Cardinals when they were down with just minutes to play. I’m not the only person who believes Staubach was a king of clutch. According to Bleacher Reports,…
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