Are you relying on gut feel rather than actual results to make decisions? Too many professionals default to gut when results are actually accessible, resulting
Metrics indicate whether an idea should be pursued. Metrics that indicate market demand, cost to build, and expected return all provide useful signals. Key metrics
Data reveals whether demand growth has outpaced your operational capacity. Sales trends, customer retention, and unit economics show you where your revenue gains originate and
It means leveraging your numbers to prioritize among competing priorities. I lay out explicit numbers, such as the expected value, payback time in months, and
Knowing your cost structure means mapping fixed and variable expenses to how they impact profit. It includes rent, salaries, materials, utilities, marketing, and transaction fees,
Setting goals is one of the most common pieces of business advice you will ever hear. Every January, after every quarterly review, or whenever your
Setting financial goals is easy. Following through on them every day is much harder. Many business owners create annual revenue targets, profit objectives, or expense
Setting ambitious goals can inspire your team and push your business toward meaningful growth. However, ambition without a realistic understanding of your current capacity often
Setting yearly goals is one of the most important exercises for any business owner. Yet many businesses still rely on broad objectives like “increase sales,”
In today’s business environment, decisions are increasingly driven by data rather than intuition alone. This shift has created significant advantages, allowing organizations to measure performance
With 27 years of experience, Joel S. Smith, CPA helps business owners make sense of their finances and drive profitability. A UC Berkeley grad with a Master’s in Taxation, he’s a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Joel has worked across industries like real estate, construction, and professional services. As a member of the CFO Project, he provides business owners with the clarity and strategy they need to grow.
