Stock Write-offs Explained: Turning Losses into Gains in 3 Simple Steps
The thought of writing off unsold stock is enough to make any business owner or manager nervous. Whether it’s worth $100,000 or $1,000, it’s a guaranteed loss to your profit and loss that packs an emotional punch. It’s easy to let old stock accumulate. We’ve all been there – the shelves filled with unsold goods, […]
Too Much Stock is Killing Your Cash Flow
Most business owners can tell you their revenue, wages bill, and how busy the team feels. Far fewer can tell you how much cash is sitting on shelves. Stock is often the largest and least questioned use of cash in the business. This isn’t because it is badly managed, but because it has slowly become […]
Days Debtors Explained
When business owners talk about cashflow problems, they usually jump straight to revenue. “Sales are down.”“Margins are tight.”“We just need one more big job”… In reality, a lot of cashflow pressure has nothing to do with profit at all. It lives inside working capital, and one of the fastest ways to unlock it is sitting […]
Predictions for 2026: Get Your Competitive Advantage
It’s that time of year again, the moment where I sit down, look at the calendar, wonder how on earth another twelve months disappeared, notice I’ve picked up a few more grey hairs, and deliver my annual “Brendan’s Business Predictions.” You’ve all been politely (and maybe not so politely) waiting for my prediction for 2026, so […]
The Most Important Question in Your Business
Every business owner wants the silver bullet. The magic KPI. The single insight that will finally make everything ‘click’. After 20+ years sitting across the table from hundreds of owners, manufacturers, construction leaders, wholesalers and service operators, the same truths hit me over and over again: Every business has one most important question… and most […]
Before the Christmas Break: A Simple Way to Reset Expectations
Reset expectations and motivate your team before the Christmas break with simple, strategic conversations inspired by professional sports.
Perpetual & Periodic Stock: Pros, Cons & Choosing the Right Approach
Inventory is one of the biggest and most misunderstood assets on a business’s balance sheet. Get it right, and you’ll have clarity and confidence to manage your margins, cash flow, and profitability with precision. Get it wrong, and your financial reports quickly become misleading- with or without you even realising. Two key systems dominate inventory: […]
Why Trader Joe’s Pays C.O.D — And Why Smart Businesses Should Care
If you’ve ever travelled through the US, you’ve probably stumbled into a Trader Joe’s. It’s the cult-status grocery chain with Hawaiian shirts, quirky product labels, and a legion of die-hard fans. But behind the fun branding is one of the most quietly brilliant financial strategies in modern retail: Trader Joe’s pays its suppliers C.O.D — […]
Deloitte Says Performance Reviews Are a Waste of Time — Here’s Why They’re Right
You might’ve seen the recent Deloitte study making waves across LinkedIn. They report, traditional performance reviews aren’t worth the time, cost, or energy they demand. It’s a big statement from one of the world’s leading consultancies, and it’s sparked plenty of debate. But I think Deloitte’s right. Not because reviews can’t work, but because most businesses […]
Business Lessons from Exercise: Boosting Intensity and Managing Losses
It doesn’t sound like the place to learn business lessons from but you’d be surprised at the value that can be gained from sweating on an exercise bike or chasing a golf ball around the course. I’m not saying I’m about to become the next fitness influencer or the next Tiger Woods. However, what I […]