One of the most commented-on topics in the media today is the question of how to work with Millennials. In this podcast, we speak with someone who almost exclusively works with the even younger Generation Z entrepreneurs - Matt Smilor, Director of the Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition at TCU. 

Generation Z Entrepreneurs - How they think about business and what you shoud know.

Most of our topics on this podcast have been focused on established industries and businesses we've all heard of before.  But there's a lot going on right now with small business and entrepreneurship.  We're seeing more investment from PE firms and family offices in start-up ventures especially in the medical field.  So we thought we'd reach out to an expert in this area.  Greg Saltsman talks with Cameron Cushman, Director of Innovation Ecosystems at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. 

Will The Coming Downturn spur MORE Innovation?

We've talked a lot on this podcast about the state of turnarounds in the U.S. right now with our coverage of the Turnaround Management Association and their conferences.  We've said it before - an economic downturn is expected in the next 18-24 months.  In this episode of Directionally Correct, we get perspective from someone in the turnaround business.  Greg Saltsman talks with Josh Eppich, partner at the law firm of Bonds Ellis in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Turnarunds, Bankruptcy and Restructuring

Turnover sucks.  It's hard on your staff, your customers and your brand.  But do you know what the actual dollar cost of a lost employee is?  We look at research from the Drucker Institute and talk about our own experience, offering insights on things you can do to lower the high cost of employee turnover in your business.

The True Cost of Turnover and What To Do About It.

Should you align your entire organization to one performance metric?  A well known VC firm says "yes".  We respectfully disagree.  This week on Directionally Correct we discuss the One Metric Dilemma, and how to choose the right metric (or metrics) for your organization. 

Improving performance:  One Metric or Many?

We revisit the story of CSX Railroad with an update on the company's strategy and how it appears to be going. 

Update:  The Unfolding and Interesting Story of CSX Railroad

If you've listened to this podcast before you know we touch on a lot of subjects that affect business performance.  If you've ever wondered why that is, today we reference a study from the Drucker Institute about the benefits of consistently delivering high performance over a range of business areas in order to achieve higher financial performance. 

Why Business Performance Matters.  Really.

Previously we talked about value added partnerships and the perils of making them work, specifically as it related to the curious arrangement between Best Buy and Amazon.  Last week Best Buy announced sales were up 7% in the previous quarter yet the stock price went down, a possible signal that investors aren't on board with the long term benefits of the new relationship with Amazon.  Best Buy is just one example as we look at other retailers in the news making questionable moves. 

Strategic Moves and Desperate Measures -  Retail in the News.

Big data and big analytics are having a big impact on our businesses and daily lives.  Today we talk to a non-profit consultant who is having remarkable success getting organizations to completely change how they operate by using data and metrics that show a better way.  Greg Saltsman talks to Cathy Sheffield of ThinkGiving. 

Using Big Data to Show a Better Way

It's becoming more common for businesses to form strategic partnerships with suppliers, retailers, distribution companies and even customers in order to further their own goals.  But what's the best way to structure these arrangements and do they really add value most of the time?  In this episode, we look at a few partnerships in the news - both successful and unsuccessful - and discuss the factors that are critical for success. 

Strategic Partnerships

This week on the podcast, we look at a few real-world examples of how the implementation of best practices can move the needle dramatically for businesses, and discuss why some firms are unable to accomplish these changes. 

Best Practices and Resistance to Change

In July 2017 Southern Oak Consulting authored an analysis entitled, "Management Consulting's Impact on Private Equity Performance".  The analysis used data from the Pitchbook database and revealed that U.S private equity funds who used management consultants for operational performance improvement outperformed the IRR of their peer groups by an average of 1.52% - that's no small number. As it turns out, our analysis was in good company as a former PE analyst has been actively campaigning to show that PE firms are not really great at operations and turning their portfolio companies in to winners.  What are your thoughts on that? Today we look at the question:  Does PE have an operations problem and if so, what can be done about it?

Does PE Have an Operations Problem?

Last week the Turnaround Management Association had their Southwest Conference in San Antonio and Southern Oak Consulting was there.  Greg Saltsman shares the latest insights about what's being discussed at the TMA event.

Insights from the April Turnaround Management Association event in San Antonio

How aware are you of disruption happening in other industries?  We look at 3 seemingly unrelated fields - self driving cars, real estate, and recycling - to show how disruption all around us may be an opening to new growth in your business. 

You Can Profit From Disruption

Walmart is all about "low prices" and until now they have reigned supreme.  But when a company competes on price, there will always be someone "cheaper" coming up from behind and that's what's happening with advances by Amazon.  Walmart is making it clear they won't give up their position quietly and lately we've noticed a few curious stories in the news.  What does Walmart know about the future?  It's anyone's guess, but you may be surprised to hear about moves the company could be making to fend off competition. 

What does Walmart know about the future?

KPI scorecards are standard practice for financial metrics, but what about qualitative goals?  Diversity, inclusion, employee satisfaction, sustainability, innovation, ethics - all are important and none are attached to a general ledger.  In this podcast we talk about the softer side of scorecards and how much weight should be given to non-financial metrics. 

The Softer Side of Scorecards

Relying on external auditors is not enough to protect your company from loss.  Do you have effective processes and procedures in place  for fraud control?  We look at a few examples of easy traps and cautionary tales for companies both large and small.  Kelsey Robertson of Swingle Collins & Associates explains "Social Engineering" - a terrible new crime that is on the rise and could happen to your firm.  What it is and what you can do about it. 

Processes and Procedures to Prevent Business Fraud

What do oil companies really do?  They are efficient allocators of capital.  In this podcast we take a look at what Shell Oil is doing to transform their business in the face of an historic shift away from petroleum to electricity.  A few lessons from a big company, doing it right.  

Shell Oil

The plan you had was wrong.  Now what?  Under what circumstances should you consider changing your strategy and how do avoid doing it either too soon, or too late. 

The Art of Pivoting

What are the real benefits of FP&A and why are they so often ignored by business?  Greg Saltsman addresses a few common questions about Financial Planning and Analysis, the strengths and limitations.

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Directionally Correct podcast

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