Long-term business stability is not achieved simply by reducing expenses. While cutting unnecessary spending can improve margins in the short term, aggressive cost-cutting can also
Key Takeaways Defining your “unit” the same way every time helps you make better decisions and makes your financial analysis accurate and comparable across time
Key Takeaways You should be aware that psychological biases, such as normalcy and optimism, can cause you to underestimate slow drains on profit and lead
Key Takeaways You must separate gross profit from net profit to get a realistic sense of your business’s actual financial health. Just because you generate
Key Takeaways You can enhance both customer satisfaction and your profit margins by identifying the true costs behind your service delivery. This ensures your pricing
Repeat spending trends, overlooked fees, and small but steady outflows you might not spot at a glance are all examples of the hidden cash patterns
5 metrics that keep you focused on what matters provide specific means to measure progress and eliminate clutter in information-intensive work. Focusing on these key
7 financial strategy mistakes owners make include not having clear goals, not tracking spending well, or missing the moment to pivot. Owners sometimes respond late
About why businesses without financial strategies stall out. Absent rules for budgets or cash flow, leaders can overlook early indicators of trouble. Teams might not
To build a strategic plan that aligns with your cash flow means setting clear steps and goals that match the money coming in and going
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.
