Send us a text Episode 123: Could a major competitor's sudden closure transform your business landscape? Find out how unexpected changes in your competitive space can significantly impact your customer traffic and revenue. This episode takes you through a fascinating local case where a major retailer shut its doors—not due to poor performance, but rather a landlord's decision. We dissect the ripple effects on surrounding businesses in a bustling shopping center, providing you with essential metr...
Jun 18, 2024•6 min•Season 17Ep. 1
Send us a text Episode 114 encore: Does your organization have the ability to overcome a crisis or overcome rapidly changing business and economic conditions? Is decision making lagging due to financial systems that cannot adapt or because of legacy processes that don’t support change? Being agile means, you can quickly assess and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Sometimes this lies in processes, but often it can be with leaders who are not able to see change indicators which also means tha...
May 07, 2024•15 min
Send us a text As the NFL Draft ignites conversations about talent acquisition, we turn the spotlight on the universal principles of selecting and nurturing the right people for your finance squad. In this bonus episode, I explore the critical importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and communication, and their role in creating a harmonious and effective team environment. I'll share why these innate qualities often outweigh technical prowess, and how you can foster a culture th...
Apr 23, 2024•5 min
Send us a text Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows this episode: here Imagine seizing opportunities as they arise, armed with a growth mindset that turns challenges into stepping stones for success. That's what we're unpacking today—how to nurture the mindset and habits that will steer us toward our most ambitious goals for the year. We'll revisit the SMART method, aligning our career and personal aspirations, even as life’s curveballs come our way. By maintaining focus and st...
Apr 16, 2024•18 min
Send us a text In this episode, we're examining the transformative power of intense accountability in the realm of finance and accounting careers. We'll delve into how owning your mindset, setting clear goals, and establishing a chain of accountability can catapult you out of your comfort zone and propel you towards success. We'll explore the fine line between making excuses and owning up to failures, and how the right mindset can encourage us to take more risks, essential for a thriving career....
Apr 10, 2024•16 min
Send us a text Embark on a journey through the treacherous terrain of strategic messaging as we dissect the recent communication blunders of Kellogg's and Wendy's. It's a perilous world out there for finance and accounting leaders tasked with navigating their company's external narratives – one wrong word could spell disaster for your brand's reputation. In this episode, we delve into why empathy and understanding the economic pulse of your audience is not just important, but critical for those ...
Mar 14, 2024•7 min•Season 16Ep. 8
Send us a text Episode 121: Ready to transform a group of individuals into a powerhouse team? Joins us as we share invaluable strategies that will elevate your team's performance to unprecedented heights. By harnessing the synergy of trust, communication, and fair play, we illustrate how leaders can foster an environment ripe for growth, innovation, and collective achievement. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice, revealing the secrets to creating a cohesive and dynamic team. We...
Feb 27, 2024•14 min•Season 16Ep. 7
Send us a text Episode #120: Ever wondered how leadership transcends mere management to truly inspire greatness? Join me as I reveal the transformative principles that can elevate not just your team's performance, but your very approach to leadership. Drawing from my own experiences in the Army, this episode promises to arm you with a mindset that not only lights a fire in others but also sparks the development of future leaders within your team. Last week, we gleaned incredible wisdom from Wass...
Feb 13, 2024•12 min•Season 16Ep. 6
Send us a text Episode 119: In the episode, Wassia talks about her work with H.O.P.E - Helping Other People be Empowered : you can find the link here . This is an amazing organization doing work that matters and changing lives for the better. Embark on a transformative journey through the dynamic world of finance with Wassia Kamon, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller from the Low Income Investment Fund, as she unpacks the essence of value beyond the numbers. Wassia telling her sto...
Feb 06, 2024•43 min•Season 16Ep. 5
Send us a text Please download the free business strategy guide here . Episode 118: Unlock the secrets to savvy strategic decision-making as we navigate the complex relationship between business strategy and the accounting and finance systems that support it. Perfect for small business owners looking to tighten their operations, this episode promises a deep understanding of how to leverage monthly financial statements and daily financial insights. We unravel the subtleties of resource allocation...
Jan 30, 2024•18 min•Season 16Ep. 4
Send us a text Discover the leadership secrets that can transform your team from functioning to phenomenal as I'm joined by retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark McMillian. With a storied 22-year military career and a passion for coaching as the founder of McMillion Leadership Associates, Mark offers a wealth of knowledge on the importance of clear communication and defined expectations. Our conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to inspire and guide teams to greatness, especially in high...
Jan 23, 2024•39 min•Season 16Ep. 3
Send us a text Episode 116: We are discussing staying focused, so we accomplish our goals, we complete our task with excellence, and we lead our teams with purpose. What we let distract us will own our energy and our time. Our habits and routines must be strong to overcome any distraction that can lure us away from accomplishment and top results. I want you to create a vision of success for yourself to stay focused on what you want to achieve. We will overcome any distraction and obstacle that g...
Jan 17, 2024•15 min•Season 16Ep. 2
Send us a text Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows this episode: here Episode #115: Imagine seizing opportunities as they arise, armed with a growth mindset that turns challenges into stepping stones for success. That's what we're unpacking today—how to nurture the mindset and habits that will steer us toward our most ambitious goals for the year. We'll revisit the SMART method, aligning our career and personal aspirations, even as life’s curveballs come our way. By maintainin...
Jan 09, 2024•17 min•Season 16Ep. 1
Send us a text Please download the free workbook that goes with this episode. This episode will empower you with the insights to pinpoint your ideal customer, refine your services, and secure your competitive edge. We'll navigate through a SWOT analysis and discuss the significance of core values before crafting a strategic statement that's as robust as your ambition. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting, you'll leave with a clearer direction and the tools to make informed d...
Jan 02, 2024•9 min
Send us a text Do you remember why you chose a career in finance and accounting? Rekindle your passion as we revisit Episode 98 and deeply contemplate the reasons that drew us towards this exciting field. This episode is a rallying cry for all finance leaders, urging you to reconnect with the joy of number-crunching, the thrill of forging strategy, and the ambition of leadership. Remember, a true finance leader isn't just technically proficient, they use this mastery to uplift others and guide t...
Dec 26, 2023•11 min
Send us a text Pause for a moment. What if you could go beyond mere technical skills and grow into an inspiring leader, radiating strength of character and integrity? That's what we're exploring in this special bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast. As we wrap up the year, we invite you to celebrate not just your professional success, but also the personal milestones that make life truly meaningful. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook:...
Dec 19, 2023•3 min
Send us a text Imagine unlocking the full potential of your finance team with the right leadership and engagement tools. We kick things off by venturing into the realm of leadership, exploring its intricate responsibilities, and stressing the significance of setting the vision, maintaining high standards, and becoming a role model for your team. As we move forward, we dive deeper into the nuances of team engagement, demonstrating how your actions can mold your team's success trajectory. We'll re...
Dec 12, 2023•15 min
Send us a text Financial Planning & Analysis provides one of the most critical and powerful functions in the business. Are you resourcing and employing your FP&A Team properly? You need to be continually planning the team’s functions and capabilities as technology changes and the business grows. The FP&A function cannot remain static. It must be growing and changing as conditions change. Your pathway to understanding the key metrics of the business AND if you are achieving your strat...
Dec 05, 2023•19 min
Send us a text Episode 114: Does your organization have the ability to overcome a crisis or overcome rapidly changing business and economic conditions? Is decision making lagging due to financial systems that cannot adapt or because of legacy processes that don’t support change? Being agile means, you can quickly assess and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Sometimes this lies in processes, but often it can be with leaders who are not able to see change indicators which also means that you m...
Nov 28, 2023•14 min•Season 15Ep. 6
Send us a text I dedicate this special episode of the Finance Leader Podcast to share my journey of gratitude. Walk with me as I delve into the profound gratitude I have for my inner circle, the joy of serving others through this podcast, and the path of self-improvement I am navigating each day. Happy Thanksgiving!!! Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii For more resources, please visit ...
Nov 21, 2023•3 min
Send us a text In this episode, we're examining the transformative power of intense accountability in the realm of finance and accounting careers. We'll delve into how owning your mindset, setting clear goals, and establishing a chain of accountability can catapult you out of your comfort zone and propel you towards success. We'll explore the fine line between making excuses and owning up to failures, and how the right mindset can encourage us to take more risks, essential for a thriving career....
Nov 14, 2023•15 min•Season 15Ep. 5
Send us a text Are you ready to end the year on a high note and kick off the next one with renewed vigor and clarity? Join me in this bonus episode of The Finance Leader Podcast as we delve into key activities to focus on as the year draws to a close: from prepping for year-end close and getting the 2024 budget approved, to planning for your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and setting goals for the upcoming year. But it's not all work, work, work. A crucial part of maintaining a healthy ...
Nov 08, 2023•5 min
Send us a text Imagine supercharging your team's performance and productivity, while simultaneously improving their daily work experience. This episode promises to hand you the keys to that transformation. In the episode, I will discuss five key actions that revolve around enhancing your communication skills, scheduling routine 1:1 meetings, eliminating roadblocks, developing Individual Development Plans, and sculpting unique pathways for success. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen...
Oct 31, 2023•4 min
Send us a text We'll be revisiting one of our most impactful episodes from Season 13 where we unpack the significance of these professional credentials and guide you on where to lay your focus. The finance and accounting landscape is forever shifting and evolving - so how do you stay ahead of the curve? Professional credentials are more than badges of technical prowess; they serve as a testament to your unwavering dedication to learning, growth, and adaptability. This is your chance to prove you...
Oct 24, 2023•14 min
Send us a text Facing an unpredictable change at work can be daunting, can't it? Especially when it's a major shift like mass layoffs, new leadership, or a different company strategy. As finance and accounting professionals, we are not immune to these whirlwinds of change. So, how do we adapt? Fear not, for this bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast is here to guide you, offering a process to make wise and calculated decisions when faced with significant changes. Adapting to change process...
Oct 17, 2023•5 min
Send us a text What if you, as a finance professional, had the power to shape the future of your organization and influence more positive outcomes? Imagine being the driving force that transforms your team into better versions of themselves! We're going to explore these possibilities in today's episode. With our unique perspective in assessing and measuring key data, we discuss how our daily tasks are not just about crunching numbers but are pivotal in making strategic decisions. Our role is to ...
Oct 03, 2023•13 min•Season 15Ep. 4
Send us a text Ever puzzled over how your career skills need to evolve as you climb the ladder in your financial and accounting career? Join us as we delve into the transformation from mastering technical skills to becoming an effective communicator, strategist, and organizational leader. Also, as the year-end approaches, it's time to review your 2023 accomplishments and begin strategizing for 2024. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: steph...
Sep 14, 2023•3 min
Send us a text Have you ever stopped to consider the gravity of your role as a finance or accounting professional? We're the guardians of our organizations' critical resources, the moral compass guiding our teams, and the defenders of ethical conduct. In this thought-provoking episode of the Finance Leader Podcast, we explore the significance of character and integrity in our field. We delve into the crucial expectations of high ethics, the importance of trustworthiness, and the vital systems of...
Sep 05, 2023•14 min•Season 15Ep. 3
Send us a text We kick off by shedding light on how cultivating leadership qualities can propel your career ahead while catalyzing remarkable transformations in your team and the broader organization. We delve deep into the strategy of excellence, putting a spotlight on the power of clear communication, high expectations, and accountability. We also underscore the significance of trust, character, integrity, and equality in creating an environment that breeds excellence. Episode outline: What do...
Aug 24, 2023•14 min•Season 15Ep. 2
Send us a text Looking to level up from a finance professional to a Treasury Manager? We lay out the key tasks of a Treasury Manager, from cash management and forecasting to compliance, and explore the impact of banking relationships on business operations. Tune in as we dissect the importance of cash position and the growth opportunities within this role. Episode outline: Key responsibilities and tasks of the Treasury function, What this role means for the organization, and How this role can be...
Aug 08, 2023•14 min•Season 15Ep. 1
