Send us a textIn this episode, Steve discusses the crucial connection between strategy and finance, highlighting why financial literacy is key to business success. With 82% of business failures attributed to poor cash flow, he explains the importance of understanding financial statements—such as the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement—to avoid costly mistakes. Drawing from his experience at Coltivar, he shares strategies to combine mission and money, improve cash flow, an...
Send us a textUnlock the secrets to business growth and financial success. Discover how to avoid market wars by innovating with new products and services, and learn the crucial drivers of value: growth and return on invested capital. Dive into practical strategies for improving your business’s profitability and efficiency. Don’t miss out on these insights for building a more profitable, iconic company! Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Colti...
Send us a textHow can you tell if your business truly has a competitive advantage? It's not just about having great people or believing in your product—it's about tangible results. Learn how to identify and measure real competitive advantages by examining your return on invested capital (ROIC) and comparing it to your weighted average cost of capital (WACC). If your ROIC is significantly higher than your WACC, you might be on the path to success. Tune in for insights on building and leveragin...
Send us a textIn this episode, Steve breaks down the five essential elements every business needs to excel. Discover why a well-crafted strategy blueprint is crucial, how to effectively implement initiatives with the IAR framework, and the importance of clear success measures and timely financial statements. Steve also reveals the value of the Financial Strategy Review (FSR) meeting and how it can drive performance and growth. Tune in for actionable insights to transform your business and ach...
Send us a textIn this episode, Steve breaks down the five key responsibilities every effective CEO should master. From building a unified, high-performing team to setting a clear strategic direction, consistent communication, and holding people accountable, he shares real-world insights from his experience turning around multi-million and billion-dollar companies. Plus, he dives into the importance of having tough conversations that drive better outcomes and build respect. Whether you’re a se...
Send us a textIn this episode, Steve takes a deep dive into the three biggest mistakes he made while building Coltivar and turning around multi-million and billion-dollar companies. These are not just minor errors but significant missteps that can drain your resources, strain relationships, and stall your business growth. Through candid stories and actionable insights, Steve explains how these common pitfalls can be avoided, focusing on key areas such as the importance of quality revenue, the...
Send us a textIn this insightful lesson, we delve into the crucial aspects of assessing your business's financial health, focusing on understanding the true profitability and economic performance of your company. If you're relying solely on income statements to gauge your financial success, you might be overlooking key insights. This lesson breaks down why it’s essential to go beyond just profit margins and look at other critical metrics to fully grasp your business's economic reality. T...
Send us a textIn this episode of "Business Strategy," I dive deep into the fundamentals of crafting winning strategies that transform companies into iconic and highly profitable entities. We'll start by clarifying a common misconception: strategy and strategic planning are not the same. Strategic planning is the execution phase, but you need a solid strategy first.I break down the essentials, starting with defining your business's purpose and principles. Understanding your strategic problem i...
Send us a textIn this episode, I share a key strategy lesson I learned while building my various businesses and turning around companies. Understanding and optimizing the LTV (Lifetime Value) to CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) ratio is essential for scaling your business profitably.I'll explain the importance of these metrics, how to calculate them, and why a healthy LTV to CAC ratio (aiming for at least 3:1) can attract investors and fuel growth. You'll also learn practical tips for improvin...
Send us a textIn this episode, I share my personal journey of overcoming setbacks and transforming my mindset from victim to growth-oriented. Discover the strategies I used to overcome adversity, shift my business strategy, and propel my company to multimillion-dollar success. Join me as I reveal actionable insights and motivational tips to help you conquer challenges and achieve your own business breakthroughs. Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, L...
Send us a textIn this episode of Business Strategy with your host, Steve Coughran, as we delve into the critical aspects of vision and valuation for business owners featuring our distinguished guest, Patrick Donohue. Join us as we explore how having a clear vision and understanding the true value of your company can drive strategic decisions, enhance growth potential, and prepare you for future challenges.Key Discussion Points:Crafting a Vision: Discover how a compelling vision can guide your...
Send us a textIn this episode I delve into the pivotal role of business strategy in shaping your company's future. Learn why developing a robust business strategy today is crucial for driving innovation, competitive advantage, and long-term profitability. We will explore how effective strategic planning can create new market opportunities, optimize resource allocation, and enhance operational efficiency. Conversely, discover the risks and potential pitfalls of failing to adapt or implement a ...
Send us a textIn this episode, I dive into the critical importance of investing in your strategic acumen. Join me, Steve Coughran, as I explain why mastering strategic thinking is key to navigating today's complex business landscape. I'll share how enhancing your strategic skills can drive sustainable growth, improve decision-making, and create a competitive edge. I'll provide practical tips and real-world examples to highlight the profound impact that strategic acumen can have on your busine...
Send us a textJoin me as I delve deep into the core of entrepreneurial success: passion. I'm Steve Coughran, a seasoned entrepreneur turned CFO sharing why passion isn't just a buzzword but a vital ingredient for sustainable business growth.Passion fuels perseverance, creativity, and resilience in the face of challenges. It's what transforms a job into a calling and a business into a mission. Through engaging anecdotes and insightful strategies, I am illustrating how passion ignites innovatio...
Send us a textWelcome to the Business Strategy podcast. I'm your host, Steve Coughran. Join me and guest speaker Raph McGowan as we delve into the extraordinary journey of turning trials into triumphs and adversity into success. In this compelling conversation, we explore the real-life experiences and hard-earned wisdom of our guest speaker, a seasoned entrepreneur who has navigated the challenging path of starting and cultivating a thriving business. Together, we unpack the critical moments ...
Send us a textWelcome to the Business Strategy podcast. I'm your host, Steve Coughran. In today's episode we delve deep into the art of pricing optimization, accompanied by guest speaker Mark Stiving, who will share his expertise in the field of business. In this captivating conversation, we unravel the hidden gems of pricing hacks designed to revolutionize your approach to profitability. From strategic pricing adjustments to innovative techniques for maximizing revenue streams, our discussio...
Send us a textWelcome to the Business Strategy podcast, I'm your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're delving into the cornerstone of financial management: understanding your company's financial statements. As a CFO, I've learned firsthand the critical importance of the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows in assessing a company's financial health and operational efficiency. These financial statements not only provide a snapshot of your company's performance but also off...
Send us a textWelcome to the Business Strategy podcast, I'm Steve Coughran, your host. Today, we're diving into the essential topic of developing a winning strategy for your business. Crafting a strategic plan is pivotal for long-term success, and I'm excited to share my proprietary 10-step strategy blueprint with you. From defining your purpose and strategic problem to conducting thorough market research and evaluating strategic options, each step is carefully designed to guide you towards s...
Send us a textWelcome to the Business Strategy podcast, I’m Steve Coughran. Today, we’re covering five principles for building great companies. First, get to know your customers deeply. Ask tough questions to uncover real pain points. Second, shorten your cycle time—test ideas quickly and learn fast. Third, stay lean until your systems are strong. Fourth, commit long-term—success takes patience. Lastly, take care of yourself. A healthy founder leads to a healthy business. Thanks for tuning in...
Send us a textWelcome back to the Business Strategy podcast, I'm your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're exploring a fundamental aspect of any successful business: creating an ideal customer profile. In this episode, titled "How to Create an Ideal Customer Profile," I'll guide you through a comprehensive framework for understanding your customers on a deeper level. From uncovering their motivations and circumstances to envisioning their dream outcome and identifying the obstacles they face al...