by MHolland | May 15, 2025 | Business Tips, Systems
Business (and life!) is full of exciting ideas, clever strategies, and grand visions…
Sorry to be blunt – none of the above makes your business special. Slide up to any drunk in any bar on the globe and that person will regale you with equally grand plans and ideas!
Failure to Implement is what stops a great idea from sprouting. It is when the buzz, the high, of the idea begs for action and boom, something else takes priority. You know, those annoying urgent daily tasks that continually crop up and get in the way.
And those great ideas die untried, unproven.
None of the above applies to you. You are in business. You had a grand idea, and you implemented it.
So, what is the problem?
The problem is that there is something worse than not getting started…
You Have Systems
You started. You created systems. Process maps. Standard Operating Procedures, commonly known as SOPs.
You have documented your systems, so what could be missing?
Failure To Implement
Wait, you are thinking, did I not just say that Failure to Implement is what stops people from getting started? And did I not say that you all got started because you are in business.
True. Okay, so what exactly is the problem?
Monitoring and Managing Adherence to Your Systems
To prove to me, in your business, that you have not failed to implement you must demonstrate two things:
- Your written, or software-based systems. I need to see what is documented.
- Then, and this is critically important, I need to see your systems in physical reality being performed (or not performed).
A Simple Example
You have a documented system for evaluating quality control after your business manufactures a particular product.
There are detailed steps involved in this process. You even documented who in your company is responsible.
Step (1) – documented systems are done. Great!
Now, I am looking for Step (2) – implementation. I need to see a checklist, either physical, or virtual of a signed Quality Control Audit checklist. The items on the list need to be perfectly corelated to the documented process maps and systems.
Without being able to observe a system being followed in action then there has been a Failure to Implement.
Another example is a company like McDonalds. They are clearly very systematized. (How else could they have spanned the globe selling a lowly hamburger, of all things?)
The system is that each server at the counter, must ask each customer, “would you like that meal super-sized?”
It is easy to test adherence to the system to determine easily and quickly whether there is a Failure to Implement. Just observe them in action.
Outcomes Must Be Defined
First, outcomes must be clearly defined.
The step-by-step systems must be designed to produce the planned outcomes – excellent products/services delivered on-time with awesome service.
It is obvious that beautiful systems, terrific outcomes, and simple documentation are not enough, right?
Without implementation and management of adherence to the documented systems, no predictable outcomes will ever happen.
That business is living inside of chaos, even with brilliant systems.
Test Your Processes
To ensure that your desired outcomes are achieved, you must test your processes and practice CANI. Constant And Never-ending Improvement.
In Summary
- Ideas are as common as beer in a bar.
- Implementation, getting started is hard.
- Failure to Implement at the systems/process level leaves you with managing semi-organized chaos.
- Test your processes.
- Practice Constant and Never-Ending Improvement.
- Your adherence to your systems must be seen in physical reality – audit reports, things being done or not done by witnessing the processes.
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | May 9, 2025 | Business Tips, Cash Flow, Systems
If you want a thriving business, it is not just about hard work, talented people, or even brilliant ideas. It is about systems.
Systems are the hidden engines driving your business forward (or holding it back). Here is why they matter — and how they can supercharge your performance.
Your business are the systems; the systems are your business. No systems equal semi-organized chaos.
Systems Eliminate Chaos
Without systems, every task becomes an ad hoc scramble.
- Who is doing what?
- When is it due?
- What is the process?
A solid system gives your team clarity, reduces firefighting, and makes work smoother. Less drama, more results.
Systems Make You Scalable
You cannot grow on hustle alone.
Growth needs repeatable, reliable processes — ones that do not break when you add new customers, hire new staff, or open a new location.
Think:
✅ A sales process that works without you in the room
✅ An onboarding process that does not depend on memory
✅ A reporting system that shows performance at a glance
Systems Improve Accountability
With clear systems, everyone knows the rules.
It is easy to measure performance, spot bottlenecks, and fix issues before they explode. No more finger-pointing.
Good systems shine a light on:
- Where time or money is leaking
- Which tasks are stuck?
- Who needs help to hit targets?
Systems Unlock Profitability
Disorganized businesses bleed cash — through wasted time, errors, missed opportunities, and inefficiency.
Tight systems mean:
💰 Lower costs
💰 Faster turnaround
💰 Happier customers.
Bottom line? More profit.
Systems Free Up the Owner
Here is the big one: without systems, you are a bottleneck.
Every decision, every approval, every fix runs through you.
With systems, you can step back and lead, not micromanage.
Final Takeaway
Businesses do not rise or fall just on effort — they rise or fall on systems.
Want to improve performance?
Start by improving your systems.
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | May 5, 2025 | Business Tips, Systems
Let us be honest — most businesses do not fail because of bad ideas.
They fail because of bad execution. Clever ideas are a dime a dozen, as the saying goes…
And behind every strong execution?
Three boring but unbeatable forces: discipline, consistency, and habits.
I have a good habit of writing a Blog every single week. And…then…I forgot…to write a blog last week. I really hate that! 😊
So, what am I going to do? Write 2 blogs this week. This one for Monday morning, and then I will get back on track for my weekly Friday blog.
In business, consistency is everything! We never miss a monthly Controller’s meeting with our clients, no matter what. (**NOTE** exception for a small few who are very, very busy, and often on the road. In these cases, I record the highlights of the Results of Operations from the month prior).
Discipline – Doing What Needs to Be Done
Discipline is your ability to stick to the tough tasks even when you do not feel like it.
It is calling that customer back, reviewing the cash flow, or tightening expenses before they become a problem.
In business, discipline means:
✅ Saying no to distractions.
✅ Sticking to the priorities that matter.
✅ Keeping your team accountable, even when it is uncomfortable.
Without discipline, you drift. With it, you grow.
Consistency – The Power of Small, Repeated Actions
Anyone can have a good day.
But can you have five good days in a row?
Or fifty?
Consistency compounds.
That means:
- Regularly reviewing your numbers.
- Routinely improving your processes.
- Constantly communicating with your team.
It is not about giant leaps; it is about steady steps in the right direction.
Habits – Your Autopilot Advantage
Habits are your secret weapon.
Why? Because once something becomes a habit, it takes less energy and willpower.
It is not about Massive Action. That is grossly overrated. Habits beat Massive Action every time. Because Massive Action equals burnout.
Habits equal CANI – Constant and Never-Ending Improvement.
Examples of winning business habits:
🔹 Daily huddles or check-ins.
🔹 Weekly financial reviews.
🔹 Monthly customer feedback loops.
🔹 Regular training or upskilling sessions.
Build good habits, and your business starts running smoother — on autopilot.
Final Word – Small Wins Equals Big Impact
Discipline, consistency, and habits do not sound glamorous.
But they separate the businesses that just survive from those that thrive.
Start small:
✔ Pick one habit to improve this week.
✔ Commit to one consistent process.
✔ Strengthen one area of discipline.
Over time, you will see the difference — in your numbers, your team, and your own leadership.
Thanks, as always, for reading…
by MHolland | Apr 24, 2025 | Business Tips, Systems
Today I am writing about productivity…
What does this have to do with accounting or business?
Everything!
Today in a blog I will share shortly, they talk about Doom Scrolling and how it is purposely designed to distract, addict you, and destroy your ability to focus.
I remember when my dear Irish mother would call me during the week to share the latest disasters and crimes with me. She used to watch the network news every night before bed. It was a ritual for my mom and dad.
I told her it was not a good idea to take all that negative energy into sleep! She didn’t listen. She was addicted to the news.
In a way, she was my Doom Scroller. She would call me the next day at times, ask me, “did you hear about that train wreck in Missouri?” “The famine in Bangladesh?” “The murder in Toronto?”
No mom, I did not. Thanks for informing of this wonderful news! LOL
Anyway, here is this really stunning Blog on Doom Scrolling:
Doom Scrolling
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | Apr 11, 2025 | Cash Flow, Cloud-based Accounting
Let us clear something up – your bookkeeper is essential. It is our main core deliverable at ControllershipPLUS.
Your bookkeeper brings order out of chaos.
He/she keeps your records tidy, your bills paid, and your payroll humming. But if you are relying on them to help you make high-level financial decisions — you might be asking the wrong person to do the wrong job.
And it could be costing you more than you realize.
Bookkeeping vs. Controllership – What is the Difference?
Bookkeepers handle the what happened:
- Entering transactions
- Reconciling accounts
- Paying bills and managing payroll
- Keeping things organized for the accountant.
Controllers focus on what it means:
- Analyzing trends and margins
- Flagging cash flow risks before they hit.
- Forecasting, budgeting, and scenario planning
- Helping you understand your numbers — not just record them.
Why It Matters to Your Bottom Line
A great bookkeeper keeps the financial engine running smoothly. A controller helps you steer the car. Without that strategic layer, you could be:
- Missing red flags hiding in your expenses
- Over- or under-pricing your services without realizing.
- Flying blind on profitability by department, job, or location
- Getting surprised by tax bills, cash crunches, or margin drops
Real Talk: Most Owners Do Not Need More Data — They Need More Insight
Let us be honest. You probably already have piles of reports. But are they helping you make better decisions? Or just collecting dust in your inbox?
A controller filters the noise. They connect the dots between your numbers and your goals — and help you course-correct before small issues become expensive problems.
What It Looks Like to Have a Controller on Your Side
Imagine:
- Knowing your monthly breakeven point without hunting through spreadsheets
- Having someone flag when margins start to slip — before it is a crisis.
- Being able to plan new hires, equipment, or expansion with real financial clarity
- Getting financial commentary in plain English, not accounting jargon
This is not fluff. It is smart business. And it is what separates stable companies from those constantly putting out fires.
Final Word
Your bookkeeper keeps the score. Your controller helps you win the game.
If you have been operating with only the basics, it might be time to upgrade your financial strategy. You do not need a full-time CFO — but you do need more than data entry.
We help businesses bridge that gap — without adding internal overhead.
Thanks for reading….
