How does revenue happen in your company?  I was reflecting on a recent conversation with the CEO/Owner of a +$25M company whose revenue was in excess of $40M prior to 2009. 

We engaged in a conversation about why that happened and the factors that had taken place over the last three years.  As you can imagine a lot of talk was about the economy and market conditions – how unfavorable those conditions are, and how it was impacting most all sectors of the economy and marketplace. 

Have a Chronic Organizational Problem? What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You

As interim executives, we are often asked to help CEOs fix a chronic problem that has persisted despite their best previous efforts. In doing so, I have come to realize something. CEOs are able to clearly identify the symptoms of the problem, but often don’t see the real cause. This mis-focus leads them to pursue, at best ineffective, and at worst, catastrophic solutions (Well meaning, but still kind of like spraying FeBreeze to cover the odor of garbage instead of taking the garbage out).

We can argue the status of the economic recovery; We can read the statistics in the media speaking of a turnaround but no one that I am talking to feels an increasing level of optimism or security around their financial forecasts.

As the Board Member of multiple companies and CEO of a food company with nearly 100 locations nationwide, the access to capital requires an innovative approach.  As we have talked to Banks about Lines of Credit, SBA funding, and general access to financing, all conversations follow the same path.  They are enthusiastic to do business with us.  Soon however, they then recognize that these businesses may not be perfect in every way.