Your Finance Team Isn’t Stuck. They’re Unsupported.
Why I’d rather mentor the team you’ve already got than sell you a pair of hands. I have the same conversation two or three times a month and it nearly always starts with an apology. “I know we should be doing more with the numbers, Pauline. I’ve just not had the time to work out […]
How to Choose Your First Overseas Warehouse Location
Choosing the right overseas warehouse location is one of the biggest decisions a growing business will make when expanding into new markets and it’s also one of the easiest to get wrong. Many years ago, working with an international hardware brand, we had a warehouse in the Northwest, but 90% of the customers were freighting […]
Vetting Overseas Suppliers – What I Learned Standing on Factory Floors in China
I’ve lost count of the exact number, but it’s somewhere around nineteen trips to Chinese manufacturing regions over the course of my career. Nineteen sets of jet lag, nineteen rounds of tea ceremony small talk before getting down to business, and nineteen opportunities to learn that almost everything useful about vetting overseas suppliers is invisible […]
Profit vs Cash Flow: Why Profitable Businesses Run Out of Money
I get this call more often than you’d think. Someone rings me, and they’re baffled. “Pauline, my accountant just showed me the year-end figures and we made a decent profit. So why is my bank balance sitting at almost nothing, and why did I have to ring the bank manager last month to ask for […]
Why Revenue Growth Doesn’t Increase Profits
I’ve sat across the table from a lot of business owners who’ve just had their best year on paper. Revenue is up. The team is stretched but proud. And then they ask me, almost sheepishly, some version of the same question I’ve heard a hundred times: “Why isn’t my profit growing as fast as my […]
What Does a Fractional CFO Actually Do All Day? A Realistic Look for UK Business Owners
You’ve probably heard the term. Maybe a fellow business owner mentioned their “fractional or outsourced CFO” in passing, or you’ve seen it discussed in UK entrepreneur communities and startup forums. You nodded along, but the honest question lingering in the back of your mind is: what does that person actually do? It’s a fair question. […]
Business Plan for Investment: What You Need to Know
Why Your Business Plan for Investment Matters More Than You Think If you’re preparing a Business Plan for Investment, whether that’s seed funding, angel investors or growth capital – you’ll already know it’s more than “just a document.” It’s your story. It’s your strategy. And it’s your financial truth all rolled into one. The problem? Plenty of good businesses miss out on funding not because their idea isn’t strong, but because their business plan doesn’t show investors the clarity, capability or […]
Cash Flow 101: 6 Key Terms You Need to Know
Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. It’s what allows you to pay employees, suppliers, and other creditors on time so that you can continue doing business. However, many small-business owners don’t really appreciate how cash flow works or how to improve their cash flow situation. Here’s a basic introduction to cash flow and […]
Four Tips for Improving Your Decision Making Process
Making the best choice for your business can often prove challenging. Luckily, there are ways to make your decision making skills better. People who can make the right decision at a moment’s notice are always well-respected among their peers. It might seem like this ability comes naturally. But in reality, it’s a skill you can […]
What prices should I charge for my goods or services?
This is a simple question, and one that the majority of business owners will ask, and the answer will change over time. Pricing is the money charged to a customer in exchange of goods or services. The price you charge for your goods or services is one of the most important decisions you will make […]