Episodes
Welcome to Boosting Your Financial IQ, I'm Steve Coughran, your host. Today, we're exploring one of the most crucial yet often overlooked metrics in business: throughput. Throughput measures the rate at which a system can produce results, whether it's revenue per hour, gross margin per hour, or any other financial metric as a function of time. Understanding and optimizing throughput is essential for maximizing efficiency and profitability in your business operations. By focusing on improving ...
Published 05/20/24
Welcome to Boosting Your Financial IQ. Today, we're diving deep into "The Most Critical Things to Know About Free Cash Flow." Free cash flow (FCF) is a cornerstone metric for investors, analysts, and business leaders alike, offering a window into a company's financial health and operational prowess. Here are the five key takeaways: Firstly, FCF represents the cash generated by a company's operations after deducting capital expenditures. It's the cash available for debt repayment, dividends, a...
Published 05/13/24
Welcome back to Boosting Your Financial IQ, I'm your host Steve Coughran. Today, we're delving into "What You Need to Know About Working Capital." Understanding this financial metric is essential for maintaining the health of your business. We'll define what working capital is and unravel the distinction between operating and working capital, providing clarity on their respective roles. Drawing from my experiences with various companies, we'll examine real-world examples showcasing the impact...
Published 05/06/24
Welcome to Boosting Your Financial IQ with your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're diving into "The Ins and Outs of CapEx." Capital expenditures, or CapEx, are vital for business growth, but understanding them is key. We'll explore how companies establish thresholds for CapEx, ensuring investments align with strategic objectives. Delving into the mechanics, we'll demystify depreciation and amortization, crucial for assessing asset value over time. Moreover, we'll dissect the nuances of capita...
Published 04/29/24
Welcome to Boosting Your Financial IQ podcast with your host Steve Coughran. In this episode, we explore the world of investing in the business of childcare with Patrick Bell, CEO of Finexia. Patrick sheds light on why childcare is a unique and promising investment opportunity, highlighting its resilience in the face of economic fluctuations and its crucial role in supporting working families. We delve into how demographic trends and government policies influence the childcare industry's viab...
Published 04/22/24
Welcome to Boosting Your Financial IQ, I'm your host Steve Coughran. Today, we're diving into "Straight-Up Advice for Those Making Financial Decisions". In the fast-paced world of business, financial literacy isn’t just an asset; it’s a necessity. You might think finance is only for the birds, but if so, you’re not alone; most people score below a D on our business financial literacy IQ test. Even if you’re not in a finance role or still in school, understanding money's language can be...
Published 04/15/24
Dive into an exciting episode of the Boosting Your Financial IQ podcast with host Steve Coughran! Join us as Steve unveils significant changes to the show's format, promising to elevate your business success by delving deeper into the language of money. Discover how these tweaks will enhance your learning journey and provide even greater value. Plus, gain insights into Steve's personal introspection sparked by a profound scriptural passage, leading to adjustments aimed at better serving our...
Published 04/09/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Bridge Collapse Creates Cargo ChaosUS Fueling Changes in Oil MarketsChasing the Gold RushThe Truth Hurts: Trump’s IPO FlopNavigating Trouble BridgewatersThe Rate-Cut Rollercoaster ContinuesSomething in the Way Xi MovesPhone DiplomacyTesla Gets a China ShockInvestors Exploring All OptionsFinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: Following the bridge collapse in Baltimore harbor, East Coast...
Published 04/03/24
In this compelling episode of the Boosting Your Financial IQ podcast, host Steve Coughran is joined by DJ Ologo, the Managing Director of Aso Custom Homes LLC, for a deep dive into "What You Need to Know About Foreclosures." The discussion unfolds the complexities of home foreclosure, providing listeners with a clear understanding of its process, implications, and the importance of maintaining transparency and effective communication with lenders. DJ Ologo, drawing from his extensive...
Published 04/01/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Big Tech Under EU ScrutinyGoldman’s Golden Commodities OutlookBond Traders Play Rate-Cut RoulettePowell’s Employment Balancing ActJapan’s Currency Chief Sounds AlarmChina’s Stealthy Stimulus PackageBoeing Changes Their Flight PlanElon Takes the Wheel at TeslaWeWork’s Comeback AttemptTide Turns Towards Taxing the RichFinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: The European Union initiates...
Published 03/27/24
In today's episode of "Boosting Your Financial IQ," host Steve Coughran delves into the "3 Things to Measure in Any Business," simplifying the complex world of finance for leaders inundated with metrics, KPIs, and detailed reports. This clutter of data can often cloud judgment, steering focus away from the true drivers of financial success. Steve champions the power of simplicity, arguing that the essence of financial clarity can be distilled into three pivotal measures: sales, margin, and...
Published 03/26/24
In this enlightening episode of the "Boosting Your Financial IQ" podcast, host Steve Coughran sits down with Soufyan Hamid, Founder of the Finance Circle, to delve into "Navigating Beyond the Numbers." The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the challenges finance professionals, especially those with an accounting background, face in focusing on the core message without getting bogged down by the minutiae. Soufyan shares insights on what's often missing in finance presentations,...
Published 03/18/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Government Funding Fiasco Averted… For NowBiden Unveils Bold Budget AgendaWall Street Vexed by Tech ValuationWall Street Bets on BoringGold Glitters Amidst Inflation UncertaintyBoeing Experiencing Heavy TurbulenceBitcoin Bounce Creates Thousands of MillionairesIPO Reveals Reddit RichesGoogle Billionaire Seeks ESG EdgeInflation Sees February Flare-Up FinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news:...
Published 03/13/24
In this insightful episode of the Boosting Your Financial IQ podcast, host Steve Coughran sits down with DJ Ologo, the Managing Director of Aso Custom Homes LLC, to explore the intricate world of "Creating or Investing in a Real Estate Fund." Together, they delve into the essential aspects potential investors should be aware of before committing their capital to a real estate fund, emphasizing the critical due diligence processes required to identify promising opportunities and mitigate...
Published 03/11/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Congress’ Patchwork Plan to Avert ShutdownNvidia’s Rise Echoes Tesla Hype TrainBond Bulls Buy the DipInvestors Up Their Macy’s BidNYCB Face Real Estate ReckoningChina Unveils Lofty Economic AmbitionsChina Doesn’t Bite on AppleJetBlue Grounds Spirit Takeover PlansBoeing’s Reputation Takes a NosediveTech Stocks in TurmoilFinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: Congress recently unveiled a...
Published 03/06/24
Welcome to another episode of Boosting Your Financial IQ with your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're delving into a critical topic: "Don’t Let Growth Bankrupt Your Business." It's a cautionary tale we often overlook amidst the allure of expansion. Ignoring or inadequately managing working capital can swiftly lead to financial turmoil, particularly during rapid growth phases. Picture this: as your business scales up, revenue streams increase, but so do operational expenses. Without careful...
Published 03/05/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Budget Battle in Congress as Shutdown LoomsUS Dollar is Riding HighNVIDIA Surge Sparks Market ShakeupsApple Ditches EV for AIWood Trades Chips for CodeBuffet Sits on Record ReservesAnt Overruns CitadelTelecom Titan Considers TakeoverXi Scrutiny Spurs China Brain DrainElon’s Tunnel Vision Proves Short-SightedFinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: In Congress, the looming threat of a...
Published 02/28/24
Welcome to another enlightening episode of Boosting Your Financial IQ, I'm your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're delving into "3 Financial Terms that Will Make You Sound Smarter in Business". Whether you're discussing profit margins, capital expenditures for equipment, or my personal favorite, free cash flow, understanding these key financial terms is essential for effective communication and decision-making in the business world. Join me as we unravel the complexities behind these terms...
Published 02/26/24
Welcome back to Boosting Your Financial IQ, I'm your host, Steve Coughran. Today, we're diving into a critical issue affecting millions: living paycheck to paycheck. With over 60% of Americans caught in this cycle, it's clear that relying solely on wages makes it incredibly challenging to get ahead financially. However, there's hope. We'll explore the upside of equity participation in business and how it offers a path to building lasting wealth at a much faster pace than traditional methods....
Published 02/23/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Capital One Discovers Golden OpportunityTo Hike or To Hold?Home Depot’s Slumping SalesChina’s Rate Cut GambleJapan’s Economic ReckoningUK Recession Puts Sunak Under ScrutinyBarclays Banks on Bold TransformationProductivity Boom Powers Economic EfficiencyFinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: Capital One's bold move to acquire Discover for $35 billion signals a seismic shift in the...
Published 02/21/24
In this episode of Boosting Your Financial IQ, your host Steve Coughran delves into the crucial topic of "What You Need to Know About Financial Statements." As a seasoned financial expert, Coughran guides listeners through the essential components of the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. By breaking down these key financial documents, he empowers business professionals to gain a deeper understanding of their company's financial health and make informed decisions....
Published 02/20/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: January’s CPI SurpriseFed Moves Leave Bond Traders Second Guessing New Inflation Metrics Signal Rate-Cut RethinkThe Pricing Power PredicamentNavigating the Soft LandingPrivate Equity’s Diminishing ReturnsDiamondback’s Permian Power PlayTesla Hits the SkidsTemu’s Super Bowl BlitzCrypto’s Big Comeback FinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: In our latest episode, we delve into the surprises...
Published 02/14/24
In this episode of Boosting Your Financial IQ, host Steve Coughran engages in an insightful conversation with Jesse Rubenfeld and Tom Zehentner from FinOptimal on the topic of "Automating the Finance Function." Together, they delve into the strategies and benefits of automating financial operations within organizations. Rubenfeld and Zehentner share valuable insights on how leveraging technology can significantly reduce the time spent on transactional and compliance accounting tasks, thus...
Published 02/13/24
Major stories developing on the global economic front, including: Powell’s Rate RollercoasterThe Big Apple’s Big SaleCanada’s Foreign Buyer BanTech Titans Defy GravityWage Hikes Signal Japan RecoverySnap Snips StaffBoeing Crashing Down to Earth?Xi Moves in Mysterious WaysWall Street Looks to the EastNew York Community Bancorp Rocks MarketFinWeekly has the latest updates on top market topics and other financial news: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tempers expectations of a March rate cut,...
Published 02/07/24
Welcome, financial enthusiasts, to another episode of Boosting Your Financial IQ with our host, Steve Coughran. Today, we have a captivating discussion with Paul Barnhurst, the visionary Founder of The FP&A Guy, focusing on "The Power of Financial Modeling and FP&A." Steve delves deep into the conversation, exploring not just the importance of financial modeling but also the critical skills required to decipher the narrative within the numbers. Paul sheds light on the art of not only...
Published 02/06/24