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….
by MHolland | Apr 2, 2025 | Business Tips, Systems
You have heard the phrase “take massive action” more times than you can count. It is the rally cry of entrepreneurs and their coaches. Push harder. Go bigger. Move faster.
And there is a time and place for that.
But if you are running a $3 to $20 million business, especially a family-owned one, “massive action” might not be the magic pill it once was. In fact, it could be exactly what is holding you back.
Let us talk about what really drives consistent, low-stress growth.
🚀 When Massive Action Works (and When It Does not)
Massive action can be a powerful tool. It is how you:
- Launch a new service line or product.
- Make a bold marketing move.
- Rapidly pivot in a crisis.
But it is also:
- Hard to sustain.
- Risky without a solid financial foundation.
- Draining for your team (and yourself).
We see this a lot with high-growth businesses—especially in industries like construction, property management, and even cross-border logistics. There is a sudden burst of growth… and then a scramble to catch up on systems, staff, and cash flow.
You are “winning”, but it does not feel like winning.
🎯 The Power of Precision – Rifle Shots + Daily Habits
What separates thriving $10M businesses from the ones that stall at $5M?
Not hustle.
Discipline. Systems. Focused execution.
We call this the “rifle shot” approach—making smart, well-aimed moves backed by rock-solid daily and weekly habits.
🛠️ What You Can Do This Quarter
You do not need to burn out to grow. Try this instead:
- Pick one high-leverage improvement. (Pricing, collections, margin, etc.)
- Set up a repeatable habit. (Weekly review, monthly scorecard.)
- Use the tools. (Xero + HubDoc + ApprovalMax + Plooto = less stress.)
- Avoid “growth at any cost” mindset. Target profitable, aligned growth.
Thanks for reading…
