Business Strategy Strategy and Finance

Welcome 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 offer invaluable ...

Welcome 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 strategic clari...

Welcome back to the Business Strategy podcast, I'm Steve Coughran, your host. Today, we're diving into the core principles that the best founders employ to build remarkable companies. Number one on our list is getting intimately acquainted with your customers. It's astonishing how many leaders fail to engage with their clients regularly. I'm not talking about surface-level chats; I mean meaningful conversations where you ask the tough questions. I once advised a company to survey their custom...

Welcome 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 along the way, w...

Welcome back to the Business Strategy podcast with your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're diving deep into a critical decision for entrepreneurs: choosing between an LLC and an S-Corp. Titled "LLC versus the S-Corp: Don't Make This Mistake When Getting Started," this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate this crucial choice. Steve breaks down the pros and cons of each entity, from liability protection and tax implications to administrative requirements and flexibility. Whether...

Welcome to the Business Strategy podcast with your host Steve Coughran. In today's episode, we delve into the art of storytelling with Akeem Shannon, the CEO and Founder of Flipstik. Akeem shares three simple yet powerful stories that have been instrumental in scaling his business from its startup phase to rapid growth. Drawing from his experiences, including his appearance on the hit TV show Shark Tank, Akeem emphasizes the importance of storytelling in various aspects of business, from effe...