Articles

Leadership Training - July 2026 Situation

THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING/MENTORING CORNER

In the August 2025 Newsletter, we started a series called “The Leadership/Mentoring Corner” in which we posed a thought-provoking situation for you to think about and put yourself into, asking yourself, “What are your next steps?” 

JULY LEADERSHIP SITUATION

Barry has just accepted a position at a 30-year-old technology industry business. The position he accepted is a newly created position that reports to the Board of Directors and is charged with developing a new corporate culture for the business and implementing a management team concept, something the business has never had before.

Barry has an MBA from a major Ivy League college and has worked in the people and culture space for a large energy industry leader for 10 years. 

What should Barry's next steps be with the Board?

Please provide us with a brief write-up of What should Barry'snext steps be. Send your write-up to Lynn Rosado at [email protected] 

In our August 2026 Newsletter, a team of Silver Fox Advisors will provide responses to what they would have recommended to Barry that he should do based on the situation detailed above. 

If you need assistance in becoming a better leader, I recommend you start by contacting the Silver Fox Advisors. Silver Fox Advisors are former or present business owners themselves, and they have leadership experience in running a business, and in some cases several businesses, and have dealt with unforeseen and unplanned situations throughout their careers. We encourage you to visit our website at www.silverfox.org to select a Silver Fox Advisor and also to learn more about the Silver Fox Advisors, as well as our great programs and community outreach endeavors.  

Is Your Financial Reporting Keeping Up With Your Growth?

Is Your Financial Reporting Keeping Up With Your Growth?

Jim Griffing
A Silver Fox Advisor

Growing a business is exciting. New customers, new opportunities, and increasing revenue are all signs that years of hard work are paying off.

Yet growth often creates challenges that business owners don't expect.

Many companies continue using the same accounting processes that worked when the business was smaller. At first, that may not seem like a problem. But over time, owners can find themselves spending more time questioning the numbers, worrying about cash flow, or struggling to get the financial information they need to make important decisions.

Here are three signs that your financial reporting may not be keeping pace with your growth.

1. You're Making Decisions Without Complete Financial Visibility

As businesses grow, decisions become more significant. Hiring employees, expanding operations, purchasing equipment, or pursuing new opportunities all require reliable financial information.

If financial statements arrive late, contain frequent adjustments, or don't provide meaningful insight into profitability and cash flow, it becomes difficult to move forward with confidence. Business owners shouldn't have to guess whether they can afford their next big decision.

2. Lenders, Investors, or Buyers Are Asking Questions You Can't Easily Answer

Many business owners first discover weaknesses in their financial reporting when an outside party requests information.

A lender may ask for reviewed financial statements. An investor may want greater transparency. A potential buyer may request detailed financial records during due diligence.

When these requests create stress or require significant effort to fulfill, it may be a sign that the business has outgrown its current reporting structure.

3. Accounting Issues Are Consuming Too Much of Your Time

Most business owners didn't start their company because they enjoy reconciling accounts or troubleshooting financial reports.

Your time is better spent serving customers, developing employees, and growing the business. When accounting problems become recurring distractions, they can pull attention away from the activities that drive success.

The Cost of Waiting

One of the most common mistakes business owners make is waiting until a financing opportunity, business transition, or growth initiative forces them to address financial reporting challenges.

By then, the pressure is higher, and the timeline is shorter.

Strong financial reporting does more than satisfy banks and outside stakeholders. It provides clarity. It helps business owners make decisions with confidence, identify opportunities sooner, and reduce the uncertainty that often accompanies growth.

As your business evolves, your financial reporting should evolve with it.

At Griffing & Company, we help growing businesses strengthen their financial reporting processes so owners can focus less on uncertainty and more on achieving their goals. Whether you're preparing for growth, financing, succession planning, or a future business transition, we're always happy to serve as a resource.