BABY STEPS - STEP 3 OF A 3 STEP ACTION PLAN FOR MANAGING CASH

"Gross revenue means nothing if, at the end of the day, you have no operating cash." ~ MIKE MICHALOWIZ

For a good twenty plus years, I managed cash daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly at the privately held companies I worked for.  Consistently working cash flow so we were prepared for anything.

Step three for managing cash is using a 52-week cash flow projections.

This is a 52 week spreadsheet that tracks cash receivables coming in and cash payables going out. Cash Receivables are listed at the top. You can create a variety of categories for cash coming in.  Examples, receivables from various areas of the business, coaching, products,, events, and seminars, etc.  Cash going out categories, inventory, then list your various vendors if that is how you want to track purchases. Commissions, payments to contractors, weekly or bi-weekly payroll, plus normal monthly expenses, rent, utilities, electricity, natural gas, phone, internet, water, lease payments, car payments.  The 52 week cash flow spreadsheet is a cash story book, it tells you where you have been, how you performed and the variances that have occurred, which will allow you to realign how you are managing cash.  At the end of the spread sheet it tells you if there is lots of cash left over for the following week, or not enough to cover you, so then you can plan to borrow or adjust what will go out.

Why manage cash weekly? This is the path that provides knowledge and direction for your financial goals for your business and life. This is a tool used to see where you are and where you are heading at all times. Knowledge is power. Mapping out cash coming in and going out weekly, allows you to see and plan what is needed.

A question I am constantly asked - Why do I need to manage cash flow daily when I use QuickBooks.?

Great question - the answer - CASH is KING. Cash is worked daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually.  Cash is the lifeblood of every business. If you don't manage the cash coming in from accounts receivable and going out, accounts payable you run the risk of putting yourself out of business.  When you don't manage sales and accounts receivable you run the risk of missing income. (See previous post ) If you are not managing your expenses. i.e. accounts payable you can run the risk of negative circumstances where you have to scramble.  The numbers are only information, with that information, you make choices and decisions how to move forward.

Business's fail with poor cash flow management, so why run the risk?

As I have shared in earlier posts, create that new muscle, a new habit and learn how to work your cash flow differently.  Cash happens right now, in this very moment when you receive a payment or are purchasing goods or services. Working cash daily and weekly forces you to look at and plan.  You are the CEO of your business and the CFO. Lead your finances as you lead your business.

Remember, CASH is KING, so you need to know where you are at all times.

Creating simple, easy baby step habits opens the door to new possibilities for you and your business.

Get in to action, and get cracking on managing your cash every single freaking day. Do you get my drift.  Your business will grow, grow, grow and so will you when you manage what matters.  CASH is KING!  If you have any questions or need help with managing your cash, reach out and ask for help, e-mail me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com to set up an appointment to discuss your needs.


Warmly -
Debbie Rosenfelt
President / CFO / Leader-of-the-Heart

BABY STEPS - STEP 1 OF A 3 STEP ACTION PLAN FOR MANAGING CASH

I was reminded back in the summer of 2012 in a blog post by Jeff Walker, creating success happens in baby steps.  I needed that reminder today, to remind myself I am on a journey to building my business and it doesn't happen overnight . . although I would LOVE the success to happen yesterday. A heartfelt YES, and you?

So I thought, why not create a post that supports you the leader, entrepreneur, business owner, CEO, a baby step action plan for managing the heart of your business, cash.

Step #1 - Manage cash daily. 

How you ask?

With the daily, 12 month cash register.

Why manage cash daily? This is the path that provides direction for your financial goals for your business. This is so you know where you are at all times, and so you see where you are heading. Mapping out cash coming in and going out daily, allows you to see and plan what is needed. You know when monthly recurring bills and loan payments happen, so map it out and plan how much cash you need daily..

A question I am constantly asked - Why do I need to manage cash flow daily when I use QuickBooks.?

Great question - the answer - CASH is KING. Cash is worked daily, you need to know how much cash you have on hand at all times. YES, that means creating a new muscle, a new habit if you want to figure out how to work your cash flow differently.  Cash happens right now, in this very moment when you receive a payment or are purchasing goods or services. Working cash daily forces you to look at and think of what is coming up next. If it is next week, the end of the month, next month or next quarter, etc.

When I was working with the privately held corporations, as the CFO I worked and planned cash daily, always looking at each day, each week, each month and each year. My team worked on and updated the financials in the accounting software used. AR, AP, monthly transactions, etc were worked on thru out the month.  Cash and financials are two different animals, cash is cash and financials are the whole picture of the financial story for the business.

Even now, with our gym business, we manage cash daily with the daily cash register. IT's like a checkbook in Excel, that holds 12 months of info in one workbook. Each month has it's own tab, and each worksheet is linked to the next. Every day we look at cash and manage it daily. Each day's deposits are mapped out and updated daily at the end of the day or the next morning. Recurring payments such as payroll, trainers commissions, monthly loan payments, purchasing supplies and advertising. By doing this we are able to make a decision how much to transfer to savings each month.  We put aside the bi-annual property tax payments or plan for additional equipment purchases.  I also balance the bank statement to the daily cash register which is a check and balance system for balancing cash to QuickBooks at the end of the month.

Remember, CASH is KING, so you need to know where you are at all times.

Creating simple, easy baby step habits opens the door to new possibilities for you and your business.

Next, I will share step two - Managing cash weekly with the cash management register.

Get in to action, and get cracking on managing your cash daily. If you have any questions or need help with managing your cash, reach out and ask for help, e-mail me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com to set up an appointment to discuss your needs.

Warmly -


Debbie Rosenfelt MBA CPCC
President / CFO.

CHANGING PROBLEMS INTO PROJECTS

Every morning I treat myself with a ritual of reading, meditation, journaling and praying.  When I come across a really good thought provoking story and insight my heart jumps a beat and states . . I must share this insight . . this wisdom.

Some of you may wonder or ask why? - Because my belief is we were put on planet earth to support each other to succeed.  In whatever it is we are here to do on our journey of life, and our journey of business.

If you feel or hold the notion that you are here to "do it" on your own - think again. 

I challenge you to ask yourself internally, "What is it that has me think I need to go/be on the journey to do life/business alone?"  Look around you - God did not place you on this planet alone.  Who made the rule;  its not ok to ask for help?  Leaders ask for help.  . There is strength and courage in asking for help.

So here it is . . the bit of wisdom I came across last week from the daily guides of Science of Mind . .

Changing Problems into Projects

"While in Southern California a few years ago, I was being interviewed on a radio program. The moderator said, “I have been to your church, and I notice that you are always happy, and you act as if you never have a problem. How do you do that?”

My heart responded, “I see problems as projects, because when we have a project, we seem to look for a plan to find the answer. And so I refer to problems as projects.”

What we call a problem is a temporary detour from a course of action, an unexpected event, or some interruption in our intentions, aspirations, or goals. One way to address a problem is to remember the biblical thought that says, “And it came to pass.” Deep within each of us lies an insular Tahiti—filled with peace and joy. That thought implies that despite challenges, problems, or temporary interruptions of our goals, there are answers available for every project.

Significant learning may be garnered from a strenuous situation, and this learning may be used for future enrichment. A wise counsel during problematic times is to be still and know. Another workable idea is to refrain from constantly verbalizing the issue. By taking the time to be still and listen within, we fulfill the words of a writer who says, “Be quiet, or your mouth will keep you deaf.” In silence, we access answers and promote greater receptivity for our good."

Science of Mind December 2013 Daily Guides

How do you see problems or issues in business?  In life?  Why not reframe from 'problem" to "project"?  Brainstorm solutions with your staff, business partner, coach, spouse or friends?

Problems/projects arise on our journey of life and business because we have something significant to learn.  Are you listening?

Warmly -

Debbie
 

Have questions or want support? Email me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

COURAGE AND FEAR ARE INSEPARABLE

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.  Anaïs Nin

Fear is an inevitable part of the landscape of our existence.  We have the results if billions of years of biological evolution built into every cell, every organ, and every system within the body.  Fear is an essential quality in the physical world, whether it is the awareness of danger or an encounter of with an unknown.  Fear just is.

So our goal cannot be to eliminate fear.  That would be like trying to eliminate skin - impossible.  What we must learn to do is to take greater dominion over our inner processes, including the fear response.  One way to do this is to develop courage.  Courage is also part of the landscape of our existence - another evolutionary gift from the ages.  Courage is the capacity to override fear where appropriate.  Courage is never present unless fear is also present.  every courageous act that we admire is performed by someone who overcomes fear.  And in order to overcome fear, we have to experience fear.  I have tired, but I cannot find a way around this.  We move through the fear, let the inner power express, and the experience is transformed.

So courage and fear are inseparable.  These two qualities go together.  As we develop the capacity to express courage, we do not rid ourselves of fear; we become the master of fear.  That is what we are to do in this life. (Science of Mind Magazine, July 2013, Jim Lockard; page 42)

Read this the other day and I felt one of my deeper inquiries was answered.  Last December I made an internal decision to conquer my fear as I am just tired of it.  It's paralyzing effects where it just stops me in my tracks.  I purchased quite a few books on "Fear" (Fear Thich Nhat Hanh,  The Transformation, Ainslie MacLeod, May Cause Miracles - A 42 Day Guide book, Gabrielle Berstein) to help me get to the point that I could stand on the top of the world and shout out.  . "I have CONQUERED you fear, Dam it."

Yet what I have noticed, I have read, listened, acknowledged and practiced recognizing what my fear is and just being with it.  Asking myself, "what am I learning about me and fear?"  What is needed?  I learned for me, it takes courage and compassion to stand up to fear.  With courage and compassion for self, I have developed a deeper connection and understanding of me.

Now learning that fear and courage are two qualities that hold hands and  that I will not rid myself of fear, I am able to be more purposeful when fear pops up.  I will ask myself, is this true fear of danger ahead, or is it because of the unknown.

Take time for yourself with courage and inquire deep within you what is your fear.  Know there is nothing to fix, just be curious to explore what it would take for you to move forward, if you feel stuck or paralyzed.

May this affirmation speak to you:

" I am a being of great courage.  I know that my inner strength is unlimited.  I face my fears from a place of deep knowing that there is more to me than fear -infinitely more."

 

Warmly -

 

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer

 

 

 

Leadership Lessons from the Ant

I was given an invaluable gift this week by a fellow leader, entrepreneur, businessman, husband, father, Elder who has this quiet grounding presence. I so appreciate the gift my heart shouted, share, share, share with other leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners. The gift, the Maxwell Leadership Bible by John Maxwell.  The book shares lessons of Leadership from the word of God.  So over the course of time as a story or insight speaks to me, I will pass it on and share it with you in this blog.

If you enjoy what you read, please share it with someone that you think could benefit from giving this a read.  I'd be ever so grateful if you did.

What spoke to me from "Leadership Lessons from the Ant" was the very first sentence - "Do you want to make a difference?"  My eyes lit up, my heart jumped and my mind shouted from the roof tops a resounding YES. 

How about you? Do you want to make a difference?  Then pay attention to the metaphor of the ant.

Leadership Lessons from the Ant

It's amazing that one of the smallest of God's creatures can become one of His greatest teachers.

A - Attitude of Initiative

Ants don't need a commander to tell them to get started.

N - Nature of Integrity

Ants work faithfully and need no outside accountability to keep them doing right.

T - Thirst for Industry

Ants work hard and will replace their anthill when it gets ruined.

S - Source of insight

Ants store provisions in summer.

If we consider and learn from the ways of the ant, we can grow wise.

(The Maxwell Leadership Bible by John Maxwell - Page 770)

As you read this, what glean of insight sparked inside of you? 

Are you curious to learn more about you?  Quietly ask yourself these questions, then journal and discover.  Do you have an attitude of initiative?  Are you faithful to yourself?  With your business or job?  Are you thirsty for support?  Do you have insights yet ignore them?

I know you have it in you to dive deep.  Be curious about self discovery to open and expand your heart with self acceptance.  YOU are UNIQUE and you are here to share your UNIQUE gift of you.  When you uncover what is hiding underneath your beliefs, you will unearth what is driving you in your life, business/job and finances. 

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

FRIDAY'S STORY TO INSPIRE - The Great Challenge of Life

Today's story to inspire is from Jim Rohn who shares a bit of wisdom - YOU count.  You matter. It takes you, no one else but you to choose what you want. 

How does this apply to business, and finances?  read on . .  enjoy!

The Great Challenge of Life

Here's the great challenge of life - You can have more than you've got because you can become more than you are.

I have found that income seldom will exceed your own personal development. Once in a while income takes a lucky jump, but unless you grow out to where it is, it will go back to where you are.

Somebody once said if you took all the money in the world and divided it among everyone equally; it would soon be back in the same pockets. However, you can have more because you can become more. You see, here is how the other side of the coin reads - unless you change how you are, you will always have what you've got.

The marketing plan won't do it. It's a good plan but it won't work without you. You've got to work it. It is the human effort that counts. If you could send a sales manual out to recruit - wouldn't that be lovely? The major thing that makes the difference is what YOU do.

In order to have more, you need to become more. The guy says "If I had a good job I would really pour it on, but I have this lousy job so I just goof off." If that is your philosophy, you are destined to stay there.

Some people say if I had a lot of money I would be really generous, but I don't have much so I'm not generous. See, you've got to change that philosophy or you will never have "the lots of money." Unless YOU change, IT won't change.

Amazingly, however, when we throw out our blame list and start becoming more ourselves - the difference is everything else will begin to change around us.

Jim Rohn
1930-2009, Author and Speaker
www.jimrohn.com 

What spoke to your heart about this story?  What spoke to your head?  What ever challenges you have in life around finances, it will take YOU to step up and choose to want to do it differently.  There is no magic formula, no magic pill, or magic wand it just takes you.

What's stopping you with your finances?  Business or personal?  How do you know what you don't know?  Start asking questions. Start asking for help. It's that simple, it's that easy.

I would love to be your financial coach,  are you ready?

Please share your comments below and share this blogpost with your friends and colleagues.  I am here to support you with moving forward.  d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer

FRIDAY'S STORY TO INSPIRE - Are You Guarding A Concrete Slab?

Happy Friday . . Today's story to inspire is a thinker . . . this can be applied to anything, even business finances and personal finances.  How??  Read and I will share a couple of examples after the story. .

Are You Guarding A Concrete Slab?

There was an army barracks that had on its duty roster 4 soldiers to guard at all times a concrete slab in front of the barracks. The soldiers changed shifts guarding the slabs for many years. Different commanders came and went and the tradition continued.

After many years, a new commander was assigned to the barracks. Amongst the things he did was asking why things were done the way they were. When he asked why soldiers were guarding the slab, he was told, "We've always done it this way. It's our tradition. Our former commanders instructed us to do that."

The commander was adamant on finding out why. He went to the archives to look for answers and he came across a document that had the explanation. The document was very old.  It had instructions written by one of the retired commanders who had even passed away.

The new commander learnt that over 80 years ago, the barracks wanted to build a platform where events could be performed. When the concrete slab was laid, wild animals walked over it at night before the slab would dry. The soldiers would fix it the next morning but when evening came the same thing would happen. So the commander ordered that 4 soldiers should guard the concrete slab for 3 weeks to allow it to dry. The following week the commander was transferred to another post and a new commander was brought in. The new commander found the routine and enforced it and every commander that came did the same. Eighty years later the barracks continued guarding a concrete slab.

What beliefs, attitudes, traditions have you carried on that were relevant to certain people or a certain time and they are still being carried out by you? Is your opinion about yourself, people of a different race, the opposite sex, certain business opportunities, new products etc obsolete? Question the status quo.

Sandras Phiri

I told you it was a thinker . . . how are you guarding a concrete slab? 

 

Are you managing cash by going online every day?  Or do you have a system in place that supports you with consciously planning cash for business or personal finances?  During hard core crunch times, do you react or respond, because "that is the way you have always done it?"

Ask yourself, what needs to change? What needs to be looked at from a fresh perspective so an old belief pattern stops?  Can you see how the "concrete slab" is an old belief?

Here is today's action plan - Jot down one or two areas in your finances, business or personal that you want to change.  For example, create a check register in excel  (I offer a 12 month check register) and start tracking your cash.   What are the recurring charges on your credit card statement that has been on there for months or years and your not using? Start monitoring utility bills to see how much your using and spending.  Is usage going up? Are there inconsistencies? Check it out.  Create a spreadsheet to compare the costs sided by side for a rolling 12 months. What do you see?

If you want help, reach out and ask. If you believe that you can figure it out, yet everything stays the same, it's time to ask yourself - How is that working for you?  Stop watching the concrete slab and make a change to move forward. I woud love to support you with moving forward.

Have a questione-mail me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

Supporting you with moving forward.

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

CFO Made Easy

BABY STEPS - STEP 3 OF A 4 STEP ACTION PLAN FOR MANAGING CASH

"Gross revenue means nothing if, at the end of the day, you have no operating cash." ~ MIKE MICHALOWIZ

For a good twenty plus years, I managed cash daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly at the privately held companies I worked for.  Consistently working cash flow so we were prepared for anything.

Step three for managing cash is using a 52-week cash flow projections.

This is a 52 week spreadsheet that tracks cash receivables coming in and cash payables going out. Cash Receivables are listed at the top. You can create a variety of categories for cash coming in.  Examples, receivables from various areas of the business, coaching, products,, events, and seminars, etc.  Cash going out categories, inventory, then list your various vendors if that is how you want to track purchases. Commissions, payments to contractors, weekly or bi-weekly payroll, plus normal monthly expenses, rent, utilities, electricity, natural gas, phone, internet, water, lease payments, car payments.  The 52 week cash flow spreadsheet is a cash story book, it tells you where you have been, how you performed and the variances that have occurred, which will allow you to realign how you are managing cash.  At the end of the spread sheet it tells you if there is lots of cash left over for the following week, or not enough to cover you, so then you can plan to borrow or adjust what will go out.

You can purchase the weekly cash flow management tool to your right for $225, equal to $4.33 a week, which is equivalent to less than one Vente latte.

Why manage cash weekly? This is the path that provides knowledge and direction for your financial goals for your business and life. This is a tool used to see where you are and where you are heading at all times. Knowledge is power. Mapping out cash coming in and going out weekly, allows you to see and plan what is needed.

A question I am constantly asked - Why do I need to manage cash flow daily when I use QuickBooks.?

Great question - the answer - CASH is KING. Cash is worked daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly.  Cash is the lifeblood of every business. If you don't manage the cash coming in from accounts receivable and going out, accounts payable you run the risk of putting yourself out of business.  When you don't manage sales and accounts receivable you run the risk of missing income. (See previous post ) If you are not managing your expenses. i.e. accounts payable you can run the risk of negative circumstances where you have to scramble.  The numbers are only information, with that information, you make choices and decisions how to move forward.

Business's fail with poor cash flow management, so why run the risk?

As I have shared in earlier posts, create that new muscle, a new habit and learn how to work your cash flow differently.  Cash happens right now, in this very moment when you receive a payment or are purchasing goods or services. Working cash daily and weekly forces you to look at and plan.  You are the CEO of your business and the CFO. Lead your finances as you lead your business.

Remember, CASH is KING, so you need to know where you are at all times.

Creating simple, easy baby step habits opens the door to new possibilities for you and your business.

Get in to action, invest in yourself and your business. Purchase the weekly cash flow management tool and get cracking on managing your cash. If you have any questions please leave below or e-mail me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer

BABY STEPS - STEP 2 OF A 4 STEP ACTION PLAN FOR MANAGING CASH

For a good twenty years, I managed cash daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly at the privately held companies I worked for.  Consistently working cash flow so we were prepared for anything.

Step two for managing cash is using a weekly cash management tool.

This is a 52 week spreadsheet that tracks cash flow going in and coming out of your bank accounts. General checking, payroll account (If you have a separate account) savings account, and line of credit. In addition, this spreadsheet tracks accounts receivable, account payable and any credit card debt you may carry. 

Using this tool will have you looking at your accounts consistently and allows you to manage and plan, when you need to borrow from a line of credit, pay down the line, and or transfer money into savings.

We have a savings account for the gym and we sock $500 each month to cover the semi-annual real estate property taxes.  In addition, if there is a little cash left over we will put additional funds aside to cover new equipment for the gym.

You can purchase the weekly cash management tool to your right for $175, equal to $3.37 a week, which is equivalent to less than one Grande latte.

Why manage cash weekly? This is the path that provides knowledge and direction for your financial goals for your business. This is so you see where you have been, know where you are and plan where you are heading at all times. Knowledge is power. Mapping out cash coming in and going out weekly, allows you to see and plan what is needed.

A question I am constantly asked - Why do I need to manage cash flow daily when I use QuickBooks.?

Great question - the answer - CASH is KING. It is the lifeblood of every business. If you don't manage the cash coming in from accounts receivable and going out, accounts payable you run the risk of putting yourself out of business.  When you don't manage sales and accounts receivable you run the risk of missing income. (See previous post REVENUE PATROL ALERT ) If you are not managing your expenses. i.e. accounts payable you can run the risk of negative circumstances where you have to scramble.  The numbers are only information, with that information, you make choices and decisions how to move forward.

A short story about cash flow. Back in 2008 I was working with a company that sold goods wholesale to large retailers.  There was one company that we had to constantly monitor as there were rumbles of bankruptcy in the air. Frightening, especially when there was over $500k in outstanding receivables. They continued to make promises to pay, however at the end of June we were notified they filed for bankruptcy protection.

The good news, we had one advantage, our product the bankrupt business was selling, was their best seller. They needed our product.  I immediately created a letter to the President of the bankrupt company stating all sales will be paid for in advance by a wire. The President agreed. How did we do with cash flow? The cash sales from the bankrupt company provided cash in advance and funded our growth as the business grew 74%that year.  You need cash to grow.

Your business will fail with poor cash flow management, so why run the risk?

Create that new muscle, a new habit and learn how to work your cash flow differently.  As I shared in Step One, Cash happens right now, in this very moment when you receive a payment or are purchasing goods or services. Working cash daily and weekly forces you to look and plan.  You are the CEO of your business and the CFO. Lead your finances as you lead your business.

Remember, CASH is KING, so you need to know where you are at all times.

Creating simple, easy baby step habits opens the door to new possibilities for you and your business.

Next is step three - Cash Flow Management - Planning and mapping out sales i.e accounts receivable, expenses, i.e. accounts payable and credit card debt weekly.

Get in to action, invest in yourself and your business. Purchase the weekly cash management tool and get cracking on managing your cash. If you have any questions please leave below or e-mail me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer.

FRIDAY'S STORY TO INSPIRE - LET IT BE YOU!

This morning's words of wisdom come from Jim Rohn.  I love this man's leadership and style of motivation.  He truly makes my mind think.

As you read today's motivation, think of your business. If you don’t have a business, think of your life, now. Remember you are the CEO of your life. Life is your business, lead it that way.

Entrepreneurs, leaders and CEO's have a desire inside for a better life, to make a difference in our world. As the CEO of your life how do you want to have a better life, a life where you are making a difference for your family.

Enjoy today's story and why not Let it Be You.

Let it Be you!

Have you ever wanted to make more money? Have you ever looked at someone who has money and wished that it could be you? People think about getting wealthy all of the time, when only a small percentage actually does. But any of the masses could. Someone is going to start a business. Someone is going to make a great investment. Someone is going to begin the journey to great wealth. So why not let it be you?

Someone is going to decide to improve their relationships. Someone is going to enjoy love with their family. Someone is going to schedule some meaningful time with their friends. So why not let it be you?

Someone is going to go back to school to improve their life. Someone is going to become a lifelong learner. Someone is going to set a goal to read a book or listen to a CD each week for the next year. So why not let it be you?

Someone is going to look in the mirror and see that they need to lose a little weight and they will make the decision to become healthy. Someone will run their first marathon. Someone will join an aerobics class and improve their health. Why not let it be you?

I think that by now you get the point: Every day people are improving their lives. Whether you do or not doesn´t matter to those who do. They are going to do it, regardless. It is simply a matter of a decision being made. Let that person be you!

You may be asking, “Okay Jim, but how?” Well, let´s cover the very simple actions.

The first and most important is to make a commitment to work on yourself. Are you going to improve or stay the same? No matter what you have achieved, you are at a certain point right now. What you have achieved in the past is fine, but it doesn´t make a difference for the future. The decision about what you will become is made each day and every day. Each day someone is making the decision to better him or herself. Let that person be you!

The second is to make a plan. Once you have decided to become better you will have to have a plan. It doesn´t have to be a long, intricate plan. It can be simple. Save a dollar a day. Walk a mile a day. Read an article a day. That is a simple plan with achievable goals. Someone is going to develop a plan that will take them into the future of their dreams. Let it be you!

The third is to begin to act. All of the great ideas, without action, become stale and useless. The key to turning dreams into reality is action. People who have great ideas are a dime a dozen. People who act on their dreams and ideas are the select few, but they are the ones who gain the wealth and wisdom that is available. Someone will act today. Let it be you.

My encouragement to you is to stop looking at others who live the good life, wishing that you were as well, and instead begin to commit to your improvement, develop a plan and act on it. Someone is going to. Let it be you!

Jim Rohn
1930-2009, Author and Speaker
www.jimrohn.com 

Have a question or a comment, leave it below or e-mail me at d.rosenfelt@CFOMadeEasy.com

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer

DAILY SEEDS FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS

This has been an exciting week for me.  I completed creating and launching Daily Seeds for Financial Success.

Boy have I learned a heck of a lot.  I know finances like the back of my hand . . yet when I am learning something new, something I have never done before as an Entrepreneur, it takes forever just to get that new thang accomplished.  Do you find that as well?

First, let me share what Daily Seeds for Financial Success is.  It is a daily inspirational message that you receive 5 days a week and the message is around finances.  One message a day, Monday through Friday.

You receive an inspirational quote, an inquiry posed around (business) finances and then a daily affirmation. The concept, how to encourage, empower and motivate you to work consciously on your finances.  Business or Personal.

I have 28 years of experience in the finance world working with CEO's in privately held companies and I made the decision to start working on achieving my own dreams and get back to being an entrepreneur and support many, many, many CEO's, entrepreneurs and business owners at one time. 

Yet know, as you are reading this if you are not an entrepreneur or business owner YOU are the CEO and CFO of your own life.  So this does apply to you as well.  Just remove "business' from finances and there is only finances.  Treat your life, your finances like a business and you too can achieve success.

Back to the story of the creating part . . . so creating Daily Seeds for Financial Success came about last March though my meditation practice and I started writing messages.  Check . . .

Next I learned about what it would take to launch Daily Seeds for Financial Success . .

Purchase a URL that supports Financial Success ..  √ www.dailyfinancialsuccess.com

Set up hosting for the URL . . √

Set up Word Press . . √

Purchase Optimize Press . . √

Create a Banner for the Opt in page - find a designer . . . √. . Thank you Holly Firth Russell

Find someone on Odesk to set up Opt in page . . √

Create Welcome and thank you videos  . . 5 tapings later . .√

Set up all messages on Aweber and ask for help from Aweber. . √

Start promoting . . . √

These one liners do not even describe the length of dedicated time it took to get through little hurdles.  The point is, when you are committed to your DREAM . . to achieve what you see for your business, you will take all the steps needed to accomplish what you want for you, your business and the world. 

First . . go and subscribe to Daily Seeds for Financial Success so you too may be encouraged, empowered and inspired to move forward with your business and personal finances.

And be inspired to share below what your dream is for your business.  I love hearing each of your unique stories of how you started your business in the entrepreneurial world.   Be proud and celebrate every little success . . it makes our hearts stronger.

Thank you for reading and listening . . I look forward to connecting with you next time.

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer

BOW TO REVENUE PROJECTIONS

Happy Friday !!  It's been an exciting week . . .

I received a phone call the other night from a client I have been working with since December.  She was so excited . . first she thanked me for asking her the question "when are you implementing?" then she continued to share she signed a new contract with a former client at her new pricing structure.

I am THRILLED for her, to see her achieve her DREAMS.. . and as I shared with her.  . we did the work to create the model, (the motivator), she set the intention of what she wanted, then lead the direction and the path she wanted to go.  The end result, she is tripling her income in 2012.  This is no small feat.  This is HUGE, close to 7 figures HUGE.

How cool is that???

What did we do you ask?  We created revenue projections for 2012. 

First step - we determined her products, prices and units.  Each product had its own separate line on the model, with price and then units by month. In this case the units were hours.  She is a service provider and there are so many hours in a day, so you calculate the number of hours you are willing to work each day, multiply it out by the number of days you work in a week and then how many weeks in a month.  Make sure to adjust for the weeks and months you take off for conferences, vacation and holidays. Yes, you can plan your time off and see the impact right there. No guessing or waiting.  Make sense?

Now it's not only to calculate the numbers, this is used to create a conversation around, how much do I want to spend in a day working with clients, what am I charging, do I want to explore with charging a higher rate?  Do I want to make more money, hmmmm, what will that take? What would that look like?  What is needed so I feel good and confident?

Once you have inserted the criteria, next step is to implement the services, sell the new products and compare actual numbers to projections to confirm you are on target, going way beyond target, or missing the mark totally.

It's about seeing where you have been (past), where you are now (current), and projecting out where you want to go (future).  Revenue projections is one tool for creating a solid, organized financial foundation for your business.

And you know what, this is what I do and I want you to as well. I passionately support YOU the CEO's, entrepreneurs and business owners with achieving your DREAMS through numbers, in a bottom line kind of way, (pun intended) this is for the success of your business and for the success of cash flow.

Get on board with playing, exploring and having fun with creating revenue projections for the dream you hold for your business.  I have the tools for you already mapped out and the 28 years of experience supporting CEO's of privately held companies achieve their PASSIONATE dreams.

Reach out, connect and say Debbie I want to create my revenue projections with you to see my dreams come true. You may reach me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com

Have a great weekend and I look forward to connecting with you next week.

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer

Friday's Story to Inspire - Making A Difference

Today's story speaks to how a young boy took a small step, a little idea that served his country. This idea of his reflects commitment, dedication and love and purpose.

As you read this story, I wonder how does this story speaks to you.  I wander if you feel it in your heart that inspires you to take a step forward in serving purpose.

Enjoy Friday's story.  

Man grows 1,360-acre forest in India...by himself

A man in India single-handedly planted an entire forest, proving that one person really can make a large difference.

You always hear that one person can make a large difference in the world. Today, we've got a story that proves that saying.

When he was a teenager in Northern India's Assam region about 30 years ago, Jadav "Molai" Payeng began planting seeds in a sandbar near his birthplace. A few years later, he moved into the area and turned the seed-planting and tree-nurturing into his life's work, planting seeds and helping them grow over a wide area that was initially left for desolate.

In the past 30 years, his seed-planting endeavors have resulted in a massive, 1,360-acre jungle in Assam, a forest ecosystem that has left an incredible mark on the Indian landscape and stands as a testament to Payeng's dedication.

Initially, the forest department told Payeng that trees could not grow in that area. He was not dissuaded; instead he dedicated himself to the task of nurturing the forest, and his dedication has produced results. The Molai woods, in addition to being covered with lush greenery, is now home to a whole host of creatures big and small, including birds, deers, rhinos, tigers, and elephants.

Jadav "Molai" Payeng is a hero to those animals, to the ecosystem in the area, and to conservationists across India. But he is also a hero to us, people living oceans away who don't necessarily work in forestry or in the environment industry. Payeng is a hero because he has proven that with commitment, blood, sweat, knowledge, and dedication to making a difference, one person can truly make a difference, and a large difference, on the world.

It's easy to discount the impact that we can have on the people and places around us. It's easy to feel insignificant when faced with the enormity of the issues that surround us. But it's important to remember that our actions, no matter how small they may be, make a difference. Whether it's bringing a smile to someone's day or revitalizing a forest ecosystem, the little acts of kindness and good have enormous impact.

Our small actions may not necessarily lead to a forest and safe haven for animals, but they have the potential to grow and flourish all the same.

Sameer Vasta
Writer and Blogger

To share with you my purpose . . I LOVE my work . . I love working with CEO's, entrepreneurs and business owners.  Did you know that you are all one in the same? J You just don't see it.  I do and I am fascinated to hear each person's story of how each person started their business.

I have worked with many large multi-million dollar businesses as their Controller and CFO.  In 2007 I started my business to share my knowledge with entrepreneurs so they too can have their own CFO (Chief Financial Officer).  Yes t a CFO is ust a title . . however there is vast knowledge in knowing and understanding business finances.

How to manage cash flow, in Great times and very tough down times.  How to grow your business by creating revenue projections so you can see your dreams through numbers.

Revenue projections serve many purposes, it allows you to project and see when you offer is profitable, it allows you to see if you are charging the right price, it allows you to see what revenue would look like with increasing your price.  You are able to calculate "how many hours do I need to spend on generating this revenue.  Where there is only 24 hours in a day and you projected an unrealistic # of hours (units) in this case that you cannot fulfill . . how are you going to make it work?

I see so many AHHA's business owners have when they take the leap with revenue projections.

How are you managing your cash?  You're not?  WHY? This is so critical for every single business.  I DON"T CARE that you are a small business . . YOU need to know this . . it is critical.  It is about training your mind and beliefs in you.  When your business grows to a millon $, and your not tracking your cash . . how do you expect yourself to get caught up in learning when you are so busy running a million dollar business?

Here is an inquiry - if you had 30 minutes to ask me 3 critical, valuable questions that would support you with your business, what would you ask? 

Here is your opportunity.  Leave your questions below, or e-mail me at d.rosenfelt@cfomadeeasy.com or schedule a 30 minute complimentary finance strategy call.  I promise you will be heard.

My purpose with CFO Made Easy. . cultivate attention and awareness around business finances with an open heart and non-judgmental approach.  

Warmly -

Debbie Rosenfelt

Chief Heart Officer