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The GamePlan� - Feb 4, 2012

Posted by: Randal Suttles in Articles

 

In my newsletters, I typically write relevant stories of actual events that have happened to me.  Stories that give lessons that my clients can use.  Stories about what has happened on audits, and with working with my clients to solve their financial problems, dealings with banks, regulators, botched accounting systems...And I get positive feedback from scores of people.  They love the stories.   

 

This letter is a bit different but tells a story too.  I think it very important to periodically explain and remind my contacts how I work with my clients.  Below is just part of the story of:

 

In the beginning:

With the owner and relevant staff, I conduct a free, no obligation review of the company’s financial information and systems.  I attempt to learn what are the problems and potential ways to solve them.  I prepare benchmarks against industry relevant financial averages.  And I create a confidential report of the findings.  Then:

I meet with the owner to discuss the results of the “Discovery Analysis” ^TM.  We review the key findings.  Most of the time the owner is well aware of what I identify, sometimes not.  We then discuss the areas in which I might be of assistance, the time line, and we agree on proposed costs.  Often times, this report, the “Strategy Gameplan” ^TM, is all that the owner needs right then.  Most of the time though, after we have agreed on the scope, timing and cost of the anticipated work for the near term, we shake hands (because there is no signed contract) and then comes:

 

 

 

The “Strategy Implementation” ^TM phase of the work.  Here I work on the agreed tasks.  I work with company staff (I have none of my own) in order to keep the costs down and get the work done as quickly and efficiently as possible.  This ”Strategy Implementation” ^TM phase can last as little as a few weeks, to more typically a few months.  As one of my clients said:  “You clean things up”.  There are generally tangible results:  refinancing complete, cash flow improved, financial reporting sped up and more accurate, but most importantly there is relief to the owner.  That is when:

 

I review the results with the owner.  We discuss the financial impact of the work so far.  But more important, we review the impact on the owner, the staff, and the company generally from the improved cash flow, financial position, better reporting.  But, the results are not all tangible.  Owners talk about....

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Strategic Analysis- Building Profitability and Business Value - Jan 30, 2012

Posted by: Ronald W. Baker in Articles

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West Coast Digital Media - Jan 28, 2012

Posted by: Bob Beane in Testimonials

“Since I first met Bob I was impressed by the way he gets to the core of a business issue so quickly......He has a great way of articulating his ideas in a very simple and understandable fashion.Bob also has great business development and marketing savvy which is a unusual skill set for a finance and operations guy........I enjoy collaborating and working with Bob.....I look forward to working together in the future.....”

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Heraeus - Jan 25, 2012

Posted by: Bob Beane in Testimonials

Bob is very well versed in both finance and accounting. He has an excellent business acumen and is able to bring new ideas and ways of looking at things to your organization based upon his varied background. In the role he is currently in, he would be a great asset to companies who are not in a position to afford a full time CFO. Terri Fisher

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Orchard, Hiltz & McCLiment, Inc. - Jan 14, 2012

Posted by: Samuel John Kain in Testimonials

I worked with Sam from 2004 – 2011 at Orchard, Hiltz and McCliment (OHM), where I am a Senior Associate and partner in the firm. During that time, Sam was the firm’s head of accounting, controller and CFO. He performed these duties exceptionally. Sam’s role in the company routinely went far beyond the role of an accountant or financial officer, with him frequently providing input into business strategy, growth strategies, organizational behavior, and even sales techniques and marketing. Sam provides such great input, that he makes himself invaluable because he always has a fresh perspective on things, and gives very carefully thought out and sound advice. One of Sam’s best traits is his ability to cut through a lot of complex information and get right to the underlying issues. This is something that he does very quickly and naturally. I have personally witnessed him take an issue that we spent an entire day discussing with 20 people at a strategic planning off-site and boil it down to one underlying issue that he could state in 10 seconds. Bureaucrats who are not interested in solving problems will find this approach daunting, but good leaders who desire to quickly identify issues and solve problems will find his insights invaluable. Please feel free to contact me directly if you need any additional information. Take care, Robert Czachorski

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Rackmount Solutions, Inc. - Jan 6, 2012

Posted by: Ronald A. Pyke in Testimonials

My best advice for anyone thinking of hiring Ron Pyke is to do it. His overall understanding of the business cycle has been very, very valuable. Ron took a good hard look at our financials and restructured the process. He's highly focused not just on the here and now, but on a bigger picture- very much on future growth. The mentorship has been invaluable. That's a tangible thing we needed. Ron helps the company be more profitable through his mentoring and coaching. He's not afraid to hold me accountable. I make better decisions now. 

Deborah Petty

 Owner

Rackmount Solutions, Inc.

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Greenscape Pump Co. - Jan 6, 2012

Posted by: Ronald A. Pyke in Testimonials

I would recommend Ron Pyke without a second thought at all. Not too many people can come in and understand a business as quickly as he did. We needed a good strategy and long term planning. Ron set up a custom accounting program and trued up our numbers. Now we close our books on the 8th of the month and report to the owner on the 10th of the month. It allowed me to move from Vice President of Operations to COO. Also, B2B CFO has a huge network of high level experts, and they introduced me to other members of the industry. They have a great resume, very credible. 

 Jason Lewis

 COO

Greenscape Pump Co.

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Meletio Lighting - Jan 6, 2012

Posted by: Ronald A. Pyke in Testimonials

I'd definitely recommend Ron Pyke to anybody. I had no one who could do a good financial analysis and help me make important decisions. Ron helped me evaluate the contribution of our accounting leadership and helped us establish a cash flow forecasting model, a dashboard for KPI's and an accounting calendar. Also, he introduced us to some potential customers, and we made a big sale with one of them. Ron came on board with a focus on one thing, and we found other things that needed his attention. Our company ended up better for it. 

Ken Reiser 

President

Meletio Lighting

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Bluum Outdoor Environments LLC - Jan 6, 2012

Posted by: Ronald A. Pyke in Testimonials

I recommend Ron Pyke without hesitation. He produced a scrolling budget model that was different from what we were currently using. I can see comparative numbers side-by-side. It's objective. It's matter of fact. I had been too close to the business. Now I am able to be more objective and make calculated decisions. Ron is a perceptive individual who cares. He has been a tremendous resource for help in the way of general advice and counsel. Ron was able to be a mentor and be objective but also empathize. That's the litmus test of a good consultant. 

 J. Nathan Vaughn

President

Bluum Outdoor Environments LLC

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Get Professional Help Before You Must Get Professional Help - Dec 30, 2011

Posted by: Michael P. Landrigan in Success Stories

 

Over the course of this year, I have had the pleasure of working with a firm that already has competent financial management.  In fact, the company has a very competent CFO.  Their CFO, however, recognized that he was young and somewhat inexperienced.  They asked me to help mentor their young CFO.

 

When I first started working with the company, some of the earliest questions revolved around international transactions.  The company was only about three and half years old and just started importing from a Chinese supplier.  The company needed letter of credit capability.  The company had a small line of credit through a Credit Union, but that institution couldn’t handle their international needs.  I introduced them to a full service bank. 

The company had recently changed their professional services provider to a single organization that provided tax and legal services.   However, after discussing their tax return, I was not certain that the company was receiving sound tax advice.  I suggested that they have a Tax Professional that I trusted, review their return.  As I suspected, there were a number of questionable items that should be corrected.  It became clear that it was in the best interest of the company to change tax firms so my contact became their tax preparers.  I also suggested the name of a local attorney who I felt would be a good fit for them.

In the end, in less than a year, I have advised them to change banks, CPA firms and attorneys.  Fortunately, they are delighted with all of my suggestions.  To their credit, they have not been afraid to get help.  They are showing particular wisdom.  They get excellent professional advice to avoid problems rather than waiting until there is a problem and being forced to pay to get the problems corrected.

Beyond these recommendations, we’ve also put together a very complex business model.  The model that we’ve created helps the company create a number of different forecasts.  Their CFO can change variables to generate a wide range of potential results.  This flexibility has already been used to forecast various changes to revenue streams or significant changes in costs or expenditures.  The model also allows the company to forecast cash balances, loan balances as well as all the various aspects of the balance sheet.  This also allows the company to plan for cash needs; a theme that I’ve....

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