WOLF 

• Host LIVE daily audio streams educating 275,000+ listeners on opportunities in the stock market, real estate, & crypto
• Build pitchbooks, oversee firm marketing, and manage social medias
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train employees
• Responsible for revenue, operations, legal, compliance, and risk

Chief Executive Officer

Versa Capital Management

•	Researched and evaluated new Versa investment opportunities in North American- based businesses with revenues of $50 million to $1 billion specializing in distressed asset targeting 
•	Provided daily portfolio maintenance to nine portfolio companies encompassing over $1.3 billion of assets
•	Analyzed earnings reports, webcasts, and call transcripts from industry leaders in each portfolio sector on a quarterly basis to determine strategic business opportunities available to portfolio companies

Private Equity Analyst

Goldman Sachs

•	Supported three teams of Private Wealth Advisors managing over $5 Billion in assets and maintaining relationships with 50+ ultra-high net worth individuals and institutional clients
•	Analyzed custom portfolio reviews utilizing proprietary software to incorporate detailed historical performance reports, economic and financial market outlooks, and optimize asset allocation breakdowns
•	Conducted extensive due diligence on new business opportunities by identifying strategic funding and liquidity events for individuals, companies, and select foundations

Financial Analyst | Private Wealth Management

BlaxBaum Consulting

•	Designed, created, and edited resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and job applications
•	Guided college and high school-aged students through the entire interview process including interview question preparation, prior and post employer email composition, and other professional services.
• Provided employer analyses detailing key financial information, leadership details, company goals and more, providing our clients with valuable insight into what companies are searching for

Success Consultant

Powelton Village Ward District 

•	Unanimously voted by the ward committee as the Chair for the 24th ward Young Politicians
• Served as a liaison between the municipality and the community
•	Endorsed and voted upon candidates for Ward Leader
•	Represented a wide variety of community interests and meet regularly under the Ward Councilor
•	Engaged the community, communicating their interests properly, while holding the municipality accountable
•	Made representations and recommendations for any conflict affecting our ward

Executive Committee Ward Official

TIFF Investment Management

• Performed routine tie-out process of all of TIFF’s semi-annual and monthly holdings reports to ensure all securities, valuations, and shares data were represented fairly and correctly for current and prospective clients
• Streamlined the entire Operations and Compliance Due Diligence process, which consisted of tracking visits needed to be scheduled for all managers, communicating with managers to complete our Due Diligence Questionnaire, and moderating debrief calls to inform all coworkers 
• Various tasks such as analyzing changes in valuations of real estate properties by examining their quarterly and year-end financial statements and keeping a daily track of a certain percentage of our common stocks that needed to be held in case a client wanted to redeem but was invested in any of our illiquid securities

Finance and Accounting Analyst

CEO of WOLF Financial | #1 Twitter Spaces Host for Investors | 290K Followers on Twitter

Gav Blaxberg is the CEO of WOLF Financial, a financial media brand dedicated to providing daily live audio education to 275,000+ stock market, real estate, and crypto investors. With a professional background in PWM at Goldman Sachs and PE at Versa, this dynamic speaker engages his audience in high-energy conversations, featuring accomplished speakers worldwide as the hallmarks of WOLF’s daily Twitter Spaces.

The Keys to Employee Retention

In a competitive job market, retaining top talent is more crucial than ever.

Here are 12 compelling reasons why your team will choose to stay with your company:

1. Paid Well

- Competitive compensation demonstrates appreciation for their skills and contributions, ensuring financial stability and satisfaction.

2. Respected

- Feeling respected validates their expertise and worth, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty.

3. Supported

- Knowing they have support when facing challenges or pursuing goals instills confidence and trust in their company.

4. Recognized

- Regular acknowledgment of their efforts boosts morale and reinforces their value within the organization.

5. Promoted

- Opportunities for advancement signal a commitment to their growth and development, motivating them to stay and excel.

6. Trusted

- Being trusted to make decisions and take ownership of projects builds confidence and loyalty to the company.

7. Healthy

- Prioritizing employee health and well-being shows care for their overall welfare, fostering a positive work environment.

8. Empowered

- Being empowered to contribute ideas and drive initiatives cultivates a sense of ownership and investment in the company's success.

9. Valued

- Feeling valued as individuals beyond their contributions enhances job satisfaction and commitment.

10. Challenged

- Being challenged with meaningful work fuels personal and professional growth, keeping them engaged and fulfilled.

11. Involved

- Involvement in decision-making processes and company initiatives fosters a sense of belonging and commitment.

12. Mentored

- Receiving guidance and mentorship supports their development and growth, creating a path for long-term success within the company.

For you, what is the reason you stay on the team? 

----------
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Gav Blaxberg

9 Toxic Workplace Behaviors We Need To Stop Normalizing

Original Content Creator: Adam Morris (give him a follow)
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Companies often equate long working hours and excessive workloads with increased productivity. The belief is that pushing people to their limits will yield higher output and improved results. 

However, this approach disregards the negative consequences it has on people wellbeing and performance.

Overworking people leads to chronic stress, burnout, and increased risk of mental and physical health issues. Prolonged exposure to excessive work demands strains personal relationships, and hampers overall quality of life. This deterioration in wellbeing directly affects motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction.

The consequences of prioritizing productivity over wellbeing extend beyond individuals. Companies that neglect employee wellbeing may experience decreased employee retention rates, increased turnover, and higher recruitment costs. 

Moreover, a culture that promotes overwork fosters disengagement, lack of loyalty, and decreased commitment to the organization's goals. Ultimately, this can have a negative impact on team dynamics, collaboration, and overall organizational success.
______________________
Original Content Creator: Adam Morris (give him a follow)

Excited to introduce the world’s first AI interviewer, gpt-vetting.

With gpt-vetting, you can interview 100x more candidates in less time & candidates get a more enjoyable, gamified, and less biased interview experience.

You define the skills you want the interview to focus on, gpt-vetting asks verbal questions, and then jumps into a coding exercise. You then review the report that includes an AI assessment of each tech stack, and a trust score.

In its beta, gpt-vetting has already conducted 13,000 AI interviews, saving ~10k hours for software engineers who would otherwise be conducting technical interviews.

How to Nail 1 on 1 Meetings

Original Content Creator: Chris Donnelly (give him a follow)
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Employees are 300% more engaged after a strong 1 on 1 meeting.

Here is the guide to nailing your 1 on 1 meeting: 

Get more out of your meetings today. 
This guide covers all the secrets: 

- How to prepare
- How to maximise your time
- How to follow up effectively

The outcome of an effective 1-1 will be deeply impactful. 

Employees come out: 

↳ More engaged 
↳ More aligned with the vision 
↳ More motivated and inspired 
↳ With knowledge of where they need to improve
↳ With a greater understanding of their performance

Level up your 1-1 meetings today.
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the points: 

Preparation (employers):
- Ensure the agenda is crystal clear
- Give your team at least one week's notice of when it’ll be
- Send any questions that you’d like to go over

Preparation (employees): 
- Ensure you have questions to go through
- Write down things you want to bring up
- Book out 15 minutes after to digest things

In the Meeting (employers):
- Host it in a quiet room away from others
- Spend the first 5 minutes with easy warm-up questions
- Spend a lot of your time listening not talking

In the Meeting (employees): 
- Take your time, this meeting is for you
- Discuss your wins and areas you are happy with
- Provide clear communication on where you need help

Post Meeting (employers): 
- Ensure all notes are emailed across
- Provide very clear feedback
- Explain how you are going to support

Post meeting (employees): 
- Take time to review all notes
- If there is anything not mentioned in the notes, raise it
- Provide your honest feedback on how you thought it went

Remember: 

This time is for you and your team…
Avoid all distractions and focus in. 

What’s your top tip for a solid 1-1 meeting? 
__________________
Original Content Creator: Chris Donnelly (give him a follow)

VectorShift (YC S23) is a no-code generative AI platform. With it, you can search through knowledge bases and deploy workflow automations, all while live-syncing with your data and tools.

Today, they're launching their new chat/assistant product: directly place a chat assistant interface in your AI workflow and deploy it internally within your organization or on your website or product.

Alex Leonardi and Albert Mao both studied computer science and statistics together at Harvard. While in college, they grew a business to 7 figures in revenue. 6 months ago, they left their jobs at Blackstone and McKinsey— where they deployed AI/ML solutions for portfolio companies and helped Fortune 500 organizations digitally transform with revamped GTM motions, respectively— to found Vectorshift.

With VectorShift, they're helping teams leverage AI without needing to code or AI knowledge.

Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gQqYMwZF.

Congrats on the launch, Alex and Albert!

Want to stand out as a high-performing employee?

Here are 10 straightforward strategies to set you apart:

1. Put Your Team First: 

▶ Work together for success, supporting each other along the way.

2. Speak Up: 

▶ Courageously address issues and give constructive feedback to promote open communication.

3. Listen Well: 

▶ Actively engage in listening to understand others' perspectives and show respect.

4. Stay Flexible: 

▶ Adapt to change readily to navigate challenges effectively.

5. Lead by Example: 

▶ Set a positive precedent through actions that embody desired values and behaviors.

6. Take Initiative: 

▶ Proactively seek opportunities to contribute and make a difference.

7. Deliver Consistently: 

▶ Meet or exceed expectations reliably in quality, quantity, and timeliness.

8. Problem Solving Skills: 

▶ Approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset to drive progress.

9. Attention to Detail: 

▶ Ensure accuracy and quality by paying close attention to detail.

10. Collaborative: 

▶ Work effectively with others, leveraging diverse strengths to achieve common goals.

In today's competitive world:
Your performance speaks volumes,
Demonstrate your value consistently,
And never settle for less

Inspired by Dr. Miro Bada.

What would you add to the list?
----------
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♻ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share with your network ♻

The Ultimate Formula for Leadership

Original Content Creator: Victoria Repa (give her a follow)
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The only Leadership Formula you need:

Humility + Clarity + Courage = Leadership

All 3 components make you a great leader. 
But remove just one of them, and the formula won't work.

↳ Without Humility:

A leader becomes arrogant and disconnected from their team. They may overlook the perspectives and contributions of others, leading to resentment and disengagement among team members.

↳ Without Clarity:

A leader acts impulsively and lacks direction. They may set ambiguous goals or fail to communicate effectively with their team, resulting in confusion, wasted efforts, and missed opportunities for growth.

↳ Without Courage:

A leader becomes indecisive and avoids taking risks. They may hesitate to make tough decisions or confront difficult situations, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities for innovation and progress.

👇 So it's crucial to support all 3 parts of this formula:

1) Humility: 

To develop humility, stay grounded, and be open to feedback. Recognize your limitations and acknowledge the contributions of others.

2) Clarity: 
To develop clarity, define your goals and communicate them clearly to your team. Create a vision that guides your actions and decisions, ensuring alignment and focus.

3) Courage: 

To develop courage, take bold actions, and make tough decisions, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and lead by example.

Develop these 3 skills and watch how they make a difference.

The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.
___________________
Original Content Creator: Victoria Repa (give her a follow)

The 10 differences between a boss and a leader:

1. Focus on Authority vs. Focus on Influence:

👨‍💼 A boss relies on their formal authority to get things done, often using commands and directives.

👱‍♂️ A leader focuses on influencing others through inspiration, guidance, and empowerment rather than relying solely on their positional power.

2. Assigning Tasks vs. Setting Direction:

👨‍💼 A boss tends to assign tasks without much explanation, focusing primarily on what needs to be done.

👱‍♂️ A leader sets a clear direction and vision, guiding their team towards common goals and objectives, and helps them understand the purpose behind their tasks.

3. Control vs. Collaboration:

👨‍💼 A boss often seeks control over their team's actions and decisions, preferring to micromanage and dictate.

👱‍♂️ A leader encourages collaboration and trusts their team members to take ownership of their work, fostering a culture of empowerment and shared responsibility.

4. Blame vs. Accountability:

👨‍💼 A boss may blame team members for failures or mistakes, deflecting responsibility away from themselves.

👱‍♂️ A leader takes accountability for both successes and failures, using setbacks as learning opportunities and encouraging their team to do the same.

5. Status Quo vs. Innovation:

👨‍💼 A boss may prefer to maintain the status quo and resist change to minimize risk and uncertainty.

👱‍♂️ A leader embraces innovation and encourages their team to think creatively, experiment, and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

Being a leader isn't just about being in charge—it's about caring for others and making things happen.

In any company, the people who work there are like treasures. They're what makes everything work smoothly and successfully.

So, don't just be someone who gives orders. Be a leader who supports and guides others to do their best.

Imagine this: when you value and encourage your team, they become like a super-powered squad, achieving amazing things together.

So, let's ditch the boss mentality and embrace true leadership—it's a game-changer!

----------

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♻ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share with your network ♻

Key Finance & Accounting Roles Explained

Original Content Creator: Aleksandar Stojanović, MSc. (give him a follow)
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Here is an amazing graphic created by Aleksandar that explains key finance and accounting roles. This resource has been incredibly helpful to me, providing comprehensive insights into the intricacies of these roles. 

The clarity and detail in the graphic have enhanced my understanding of finance and accounting functions, making it easier for me to grasp complex concepts. 

I wanted to share this valuable resource with all of you because I believe it can greatly benefit anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in this field.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to critical roles and responsibilities:

🔘 CFO (Chief Financial Officer): For those who envision the financial big picture.

1. Strategic Planning: Cultivate a holistic view of financial growth.
2. Capital Structuring: Master the art of effective funding.
3. Risk Management: Grasp crucial techniques to safeguard assets.
4. Stakeholder Communication: Build bridges with investors and board members.
5. Forecasting: Harness the power of future financial insights.

🔘 Financial Analyst: Dive deep for those analytical minds.

6. Data Analysis: Extract significant patterns from financial data.
7. Budgeting & Planning: Understand the nuances of allocation.
8. Performance Metrics: Discover vital KPIs for business health.
9. Report Creation: Master the art of insightful reporting.

🔘 Internal Auditor: For the diligent and detail-oriented.

10. Risk Assessments: Spot vulnerabilities before they escalate.
11. Process Evaluations: Streamline operations for efficiency.
12. Compliance Checks: Ensure adherence to financial standards.
13. Recommendations: Provide insights for optimization.

🔘 Tax Specialist: Navigate the intricate maze of taxation.

14. Tax Strategy: Formulate effective tax-saving methods.
15. Compliance & Reporting: Adhere to the ever-evolving tax laws.
16. Audit Defense: Safeguard against potential tax inquiries.
17. Tax Forecasting: Predict future tax implications.

🔘 Accountant: The backbone of everyday financial health.

18. Record Keeping: Maintain pristine financial records.
19. Financial Statements: Generate periodic business health reports.
20. Reconciliation: Ensure accuracy in books.
21. Tax Preparation: Assist in timely and accurate tax filing.

These roles encompass different aspects of Finance & Accounting, catering to various interests and skill sets.

Explore these areas, identify your interests, and tailor your learning path accordingly.
_______________________
Original Content Creator: Aleksandar Stojanović, MSc. (give him a follow)

We reached out to 1150 investors, made over 500 calls and spent 5 months closing our seed round

I believe you can’t be 100% prepared for such an experience. 
But here is my short list of tips. 

Sure, I talked to other founders and got many recommendations on how to be prepared for it. But I couldn’t imagine it could be such an emotional rollercoaster after each call or message.

I even googled how to mentally survive during fundraising. And our mission was the best motivation for me all the time, especially after the rejections.

So, here is my list with some numbers and my hints:

1️⃣ We made 35 calls with other founders to get feedback on our pitch deck. It was a huge value and the biggest preparation.

2️⃣ We had 350 warm intros to investors. And we signed 8 of them. Our conversion was 2%.

3️⃣ I used some methods from sales calls, like asking first what the investor was looking for or how they differentiated a great startup from a good one. It helps to understand what is important and build conversation around that.

4️⃣ We also did cold outreach to 800 investors. And we got a 4% response rate and 20 calls. We used Breezy HR to find and reach out to investors. We build a sequence with several follow-ups. It’s actually a hiring CRM, but I liked how easy it is to find the best match with investors by using different filters.

5️⃣ Our data room was pretty simple: deck, legal, demo, go-to-market (or sales and marketing, financials). You can see in a screenshot what we have included.

6️⃣ Financial model. We didn’t make a very detailed or complicated financial model for our data room. You may have seen such models with an endless number of sheets and hundreds of assumptions. I believe that there is no need to do it at the seed stage. You don’t know a lot about your business yet.

7️⃣ We added a small dashboard to our financial model. It included 5 graphs with actuals and plans: MRR, R&D and S&M expenses, MoM %, Net Profit/Loss, SG&A expenses. These graphs helped us see any mismatches and fix them in our planning before investors found them.

8️⃣ We had a more detailed financial model for ourselves, just to understand different what-if scenarios. That helped a lot to answer investors’ questions.

P.S.: If you need a template with the P&L and financial plan we used for our fundraising, just leave a comment. I will send it to you.

*We also help founders prepare all financials for fundraising. Our team created investor-ready reports and financial models that have helped our customers get funding from a16z, Atomico, etc. DM me if you need help with that.

Hope it helps💚

Accounts Payable Internal Controls
Overview | Risk Mitigated

Accounts payable internal controls are essential procedures and policies implemented by organizations to ensure:

- Accuracy
- Completeness
- Reliability in their accounts payable processes

These controls aim to prevent errors, fraud, and misuse of funds, ultimately safeguarding the organization's financial integrity and compliance with regulations.

Here is a list of AP Controls, which provide an overview and mitigate risks.

Control 1: Segregation of Duties
Segregation of duties divides tasks among individuals to avoid one person controlling all parts of a transaction.

Control 2: Approval Authority Limits
Setting approval limits establishes thresholds for management to authorize transactions, ensuring oversight and accountability.

Control 3: Vendor Master File Maintenance
Regularly updating vendor files ensures accurate and complete vendor information, including addresses, payment terms, and contacts.

Control 4: Invoice Matching and Verification
Matching invoices to purchase orders and receiving reports to ensure that goods or services were received as ordered and billed accurately.

Control 5: Payment Authorization and Review
Requiring proper authorization and review of payment requests involves verifying documentation and policy adherence before processing.

Control 6: Documentation and Recordkeeping
Maintaining complete and accurate documentation of accounts payable transactions includes invoices, purchase orders, approvals, and receipts.

Control 7: Regular Internal Audits
Conducting periodic internal audits of accounts payable processes to identify control weaknesses, errors, or irregularities and implement corrective actions.

Control 8: Segregation of Duties for Payment Processing
Separating payment initiation, approval, and bank statement reconciliation prevents one person from controlling the entire process.

Control 9: Vendor Due Diligence and Screening
Thorough due diligence before onboarding new vendors includes verifying legitimacy, financial stability, and regulatory compliance.

Control 10: Budgetary Controls
Implementing budgetary controls tracks and manages spending within set limits, including analyzing expense variances.

Control 11: Electronic Payment Security
Implementing secure electronic payment systems includes encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular updates to prevent unauthorized access and fraud.

Control 12: Continuous Monitoring and Reporting
Developing systems for ongoing monitoring and reporting of accounts payable, including exception tracking, trend analysis, and KPIs.

What would you add? Let me know in the comments below!

----------

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Hard skills land you the role, but soft skills earn you the corner office. 

Elevate your career with these in-demand soft skills:

1. Communication: 

Strong communication skills include both verbal and written communication, active listening, and the ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively. 

Being an effective communicator enhances collaboration, teamwork, and client relationships.

2. Leadership: 

Effective leadership involves inspiring and guiding others, making strategic decisions, and fostering a positive work culture. 

Individuals who can lead teams and projects are highly valued in organizations.

3. Emotional Intelligence (EQ): 

EQ encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. 

People with high emotional intelligence can navigate interpersonal relationships, manage conflicts, and adapt to various workplace scenarios with ease.

4. Adaptability: 

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing work environment, adaptability is crucial. 

Being able to quickly learn new skills, pivot in response to unexpected challenges, and embrace change positively sets individuals apart and positions them for career advancement.

5. Problem-solving: 

The ability to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems is highly valued in all industries. 

Individuals who can think critically, creatively, and strategically to overcome obstacles and achieve goals are sought after by employers.

6. Collaboration: 

Collaboration involves working effectively with others, valuing diverse perspectives, and contributing to team success. 

Being a team player who can build strong relationships and leverage collective strengths enhances organizational productivity and innovation.

7. Time Management: 

Efficiently managing time and priorities is essential for maximizing productivity and meeting deadlines. 

Individuals who can prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and maintain focus amidst distractions are more likely to succeed in their careers.

8. Resilience: 

Resilience refers to the ability to bounce back from setbacks, overcome adversity, and persevere in the face of challenges. 

Cultivating resilience enables individuals to maintain motivation, stay focused on long-term goals, and thrive in demanding professional environments.

Invest time in developing your soft skills—they're your ticket to career longevity.

----------
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Here are lessons learned by Matt Gray from millionaires he interviewed on creating a world-class company culture.

Here's what they told him:

1. Your Values = Your Compass 

Your values are your organization's DNA. They guide decision-making, shape behavior, and create a shared sense of purpose. 

Communicate them clearly and consistently. 

Embrace your values. Eliminate decision fatigue.

2. Build Bulletproof Relationships

• Encourage collaboration and teamwork
• Foster a sense of community and belonging
• Create opportunities for social connection and fun

The strength of the team is each member. The strength of each member is the team.

3. Demonstrate. Don’t Dictate.

As a founder or leader, your actions set the tone. 

• Embody integrity, empathy, and a strong work ethic
• Model the behaviors and attitudes you want to see in your team

As the leader goes, so goes the team.

4. Tap Into the Diverse Talents Within Your Team

Build teams with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This drives out-of-the-box thinking. 

Create a culture where everyone feels they can contribute.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

5. Employee Wellbeing Matters

Invest in: 

• A healthy workplace
• Work-life balance
• Mental health support

When you take care of your people, they take care of your business.

6. Engage Your Team on A Deep Level

• Listen actively
• Foster open communication
• Create space for honest feedback
• Give them challenging, meaningful work 
• Provide opportunities for growth and development

Culture is what motivates and retains talented employees.

7. Rinse. Refine. Repeat

Adapt your culture as your company grows and evolves. Stay agile and responsive to your team's needs.

Regularly assess employee engagement and satisfaction. Seek feedback and ideas for improvement.

What gets measured, gets done.

8. Invest In Your Culture. It Will Pay Dividends

A strong, positive culture attracts top talent and boosts performance.

It's your competitive advantage in a world where skilled workers have countless options.

To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.

Building a great culture isn't rocket science, but it does require intention.

It takes time and effort, but it's worth it. 

Start by defining your values, focusing on engagement, and leading by example.

Culture-building is an ongoing process, not a one-time initiative.
____________________
Original Content Creator: Matt Gray (give him a follow)

10 Finance Skills you Need as a Manager

1. Financial Analysis:

🎯 Ability to analyze financial statements, identify trends, and interpret data to make informed decisions.

2. Budgeting and Forecasting:

🎯 Skill in creating, managing, and monitoring budgets to allocate resources effectively and achieve organizational goals.

🎯 Capacity to forecast future financial performance based on historical data, market trends, and business projections.

3. Cash Flow Management:

🎯 Understanding of cash flow cycles, liquidity management, and strategies to optimize cash flow within the organization.

4. Risk Management:

🎯 Knowledge of identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial risks such as market risk, credit risk, and operational risk.

5. Financial Modeling:

🎯 Proficiency in building financial models to simulate various scenarios, evaluate investment opportunities, and support strategic planning.

6. Investment Analysis:

🎯 Ability to evaluate investment options, assess their potential returns and risks, and make recommendations for capital allocation.

7. Negotiation Skills:

🎯 Ability to negotiate terms, contracts, and financial agreements with suppliers, clients, and other stakeholders to achieve favorable outcomes for the organization.

8. Tax Planning:

🎯 Understanding of tax laws and regulations to optimize tax liabilities, minimize tax risks, and ensure compliance.

9. Leadership and Communication:

🎯 Strong leadership skills to effectively communicate financial information, provide guidance to team members, and collaborate with other departments to achieve financial goals.

10. Performance Measurement:

🎯 Ability to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess financial performance and monitor progress towards objectives.

What would you add?

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In March 2023 I founded Haven with zero clients and no outside funding. 5 months later, we had 5 customers. By January 2024, we were at 50. Today, Haven serves 107 clients and 7+ figures in revenue — and we've spent less than $2k on marketing.

How did we grow so fast on a shoestring budget? 

By doing things that compound.

These are the 4 main strategies that fueled our growth:

1. Networking   

I've spent 10+ years building relationships with founders and entrepreneurs. When I launched Haven, I tapped into this network for warm intros to our first clients.

As we've crushed it for those initial clients with exceptional service, they've told their friends. Each new relationship has widened our reach and opened new doors. 

In the world of startups, your network is your net worth — and a strong network compounds over time.

2. Outsourcing  

As a founder, my "zone of genius" is sales and relationship-building. So I ruthlessly outsource anything that drains my energy and doesn't align with my core strengths.

By delegating busywork and tedious tasks, I can sink my teeth into the high-impact stuff that moves the needle. 

Outsourcing the right things has a compounding effect on my productivity and our business growth.

3. Investing in people  

From the start, I've been investing in exceptional people and getting out of their way. I've leveraged my network to build a lean team of A-players who I trust to execute.

The right hires — the ones who are hungry to make a massive impact — have a compounding effect on our capacity to serve clients and scale. 

At this stage in the company, hiring is hands-down my highest-leverage activity as a founder.

4. Customer experience  

Most accounting firms have shitty customer service. Clients struggle with unresponsive accountants, missed deadlines, and sloppy work. 

At Haven, we call bullshit on that. We're obsessed with providing a world-class experience to every single client. It's one of our core values.

Happy clients are the ultimate growth strategy. They stick with you for the long run. And they tell their friends.

---

Bootstrapping Haven to 100+ this quickly has been challenging and exhilirating. But by tapping into the compounding power of my network, outsourcing, an all-star team, and next-level customer experience, we've been able to sprint past our goals.

We're just getting warmed up on our mission to set a new standard in startup accounting, and I'm fired up to see how far we can go this year 🚀

15 Leadership Green Flags: 

True leadership is defined by actions that inspire and empower.

Exceptional leaders consistently demonstrate the following traits:

1. Kindness: 

⏩ Being nice helps build trust and fosters a supportive team atmosphere.

2. Honesty: 

⏩ Telling the truth creates transparency and strengthens relationships within the team.

3. Responsibility: 

⏩ Taking ownership of tasks demonstrates reliability and dedication to the team's success.

4. Listening: 

⏩ Paying attention to others' perspectives cultivates understanding and boosts morale.

5. Helpfulness: 

⏩ Offering assistance fosters a culture of teamwork and mutual support.

6. Flexibility: 

⏩ Being open to change enables adaptation and innovation in problem-solving.

7. Encouragement: 

⏩ Providing praise and motivation boosts confidence and morale among team members.

8. Fairness: 

⏩ Treating everyone equally promotes trust and fosters a sense of equity.

9. Friendliness: 

⏩ Being approachable and warm encourages open communication and collaboration.

10. Respect: 

⏩ Showing consideration for others' viewpoints builds trust and strengthens relationships.

11. Teamwork: 

⏩ Collaborating effectively leverages diverse strengths and achieves common goals efficiently.

12. Learning: 

⏩ Embracing opportunities for growth fosters continuous improvement and innovation.

13. Patience: 

⏩ Maintaining composure and understanding in challenging situations promotes harmony and resilience.

14. Positivity: 

⏩ A positive attitude fosters optimism, creativity, and a can-do spirit among team members.

15. Gratitude: 

⏩ Expressing appreciation for others' efforts reinforces a culture of recognition and boosts morale.

Which of these green flags do you believe is the most crucial?

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♻ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share with your network ♻

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📌 P.S. I host a LIVE investing show for 40+ hours each week.

I share the best insights with 10,000+ investors here:

https://lnkd.in/gmW5jNcy

Save thousands of dollars.

Learn all the Excel tricks for FREE. 

Here are 9 free courses I curated to make you better at Excel:

1. Excel Tables and Power Query - https://lnkd.in/gVw8tWNk

2. Excel Ultimate Guide - https://lnkd.in/gvkvAEhD

3. Excel Lookups - https://lnkd.in/gJ9JV6SW

4. Excel FP&A Tips - https://lnkd.in/gRDZpU3W

5. Excel Dynamic Arrays - https://lnkd.in/gMPC2VWP

6. Excel Financial Modeling - https://lnkd.in/gaMEpz_T

7. Excel Shortcuts - https://lnkd.in/gVCituwQ

8. Excel Financial Statements Template - https://lnkd.in/garuaS-r

9. Excel Table and Tabular Data - https://lnkd.in/gdRKVSaz

Thank you to Paul Barnhurst, The FPandA Guy, Matt Brattin, Soufyan Hamid, Josh Aharonoff, CPA, Christian Wattig, and Chris Reilly for their guides that I included here. Give them a follow!

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♻ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share with your network ♻

What do you get when you follow money rules?

The answer is increased wealth.

In fact, self-made millionaires are 4x more likely to follow money rules than non-millionaires.

And not only that...

But following money rules can:
📍 Help you retire earlier
📍 Help you make more money
📍 Help you get out of debt faster
📍 Help you lower your stress levels

Here are 5 must-know money rules:

1. 50/30/20 Rule

The 50/30/20 rule helps you take control of your money.

Start by categorizing your spending into 3 sections:
🥘 Needs (food, rent, utilities, etc.)
🚗 Wants (vacations, cars, eating out, etc.)
💸 Goals (savings, investments, extra debt payments, etc.)

Once you have a better idea of your expenses...

See if they align with the 50/30/20 Rule:
- 50% of your income goes to NEEDS
- 30% of your income goes to WANTS
- 20% of your income goes to GOALS

And if your spending doesn’t align [yet] with the 50/30/20 rule?

Start making small adjustments to your budget.

2. 3-6x Emergency Fund Rule

Always be prepared for unexpected expenses.

Surprise expenses could include:
🚔 A car repair
🏡 A house repair
🏥 A medical emergency

Avoid using high-interest credit cards to pay for surprise expenses.

Instead, save 3 to 6 months’ worth of basic living expenses in an emergency fund.

 A high-yield savings account can earn you over 5% APY (variable rate).

A 5% rate on $10,000 of cash would earn you $500.

For doing absolutely NOTHING.

3. Rule of 72

Find out how long it will take your investment to DOUBLE.

Divide the number 72 by the expected growth rate of your investment.

This expected growth rate is expressed as a percent.

Here's an example:

Let's say you invest $10,000 in a rare art painting.

And that painting averages returns of around 17.8% per year.

 So according to the Rule of 72, you would double your money in 4 years.

72 ÷ 17.8 = 4.044 years!

The Rule of 72 can also tell you how long it will take for your money to HALVE due to inflation.

Here's an example:

Let's say you have $10,000 in cash...

And inflation is stuck at 9.1%...

 It would take your money 7.9 years to HALVE itself.

72 ÷ 9.1 = 7.9 years!

4. 3x Rent Rule

5. The 4% Rule

The 4% Rule says you can take out 4% of your savings each year during retirement without running out of money.

It helps you plan how much money you can spend without using it up too fast.

For example:

Let's say you saved $1,000,000.

Here's how to use the 4% Rule:
Total money = $1,000,000
$1,000,000 x 0.04 = $40,000
$40,000 ÷ 12 months = $3,333 (pre-tax)
That means you can spend up to $3,333 per month in retirement.

Now, this rule is not perfect.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind, like inflation.

So it should only be used as a guide.

What would you add to the list?

Source: The_MMW (at X)
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10 things great leaders say:

1. "I believe in you."
2. "Let's find a solution together."
3. "Your feedback is valuable."
4. "I appreciate your hard work."
5. "What do you need from me to succeed?"
6. "I trust your judgment."
7. "Let's learn from this experience."
8. "You can count on me for support."
9. "I take responsibility for my actions."
10. "I'm proud of our team's accomplishments."

What would you add to the list?

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♻ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share with your network ♻

Top 21 Excel Formulas

Original Content Creator: Nicolas Boucher (give him a follow)
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10x your productivity with these 21 Excel must known formulas:

1. SUM
Adds all numbers in a range

Example: =SUM(A1:A9)
Add values from cell A1 to A﻿9

2. AVERAGE
Calculates the ave﻿rage of numbers in a range

Example : =AVE﻿RAGE(B1:B9)
Averag﻿e of B1 t﻿o B9

3. ROUND
Rounds a number to a s﻿pecified number of digits

Example: =﻿ROUND(C1;2)
Round C1 to 2 decimal place s

4. MIN
Identifies the lowest n﻿umber in a range

Example: =MIN(D1:D9)
Find the min﻿im﻿um in D1 to D9

5. MAX
Finds the highest number in a range

Example: =MAX(D1:D9)
Get the maxim﻿um v﻿alue in D1 to D9

6. COUNT
Counts th﻿e number of cells that contain numbers

Example: =C﻿OUNT(F1:F9)
Count numeric cells in F1 to F9
*It only counts the numerical inputs

7. INDEX
Returns a value in table based on row & column number

Example: =INDEX﻿(K1:L10,2,3)
For the value i﻿n the 2nd row & 3rd column from the range K1:K10

8. MATCH
Searches for a value and returns its relative position

Example: =MATCH﻿(L1,M1:M9,0)
To find L1's p﻿osition from the range M1:M9

9. VLOOKUP
Searches for a value in the first column of a range

Example: =VLOOKUP (G1,H1:H10,2,FALSE)
To find G1 in H1:H10

10. HLOOKUP
Searches for a value in the top row of a table

*Number of rows that contains the data you want to retrieve

Example: =HLOOKU﻿P(I1,J1:S2,2,FALSE)
To f﻿ind I1 in the top row J1:S2

11. COUNTIF/COUNTIFS
Counts cells that meet a condition

Example: =COUNT﻿IF (N1:N9;">5")
To count cells greater tha﻿n 5

12. COUNTA
Counts non-empty cells

Example: =COUNTA(O1:O9)
To coun﻿t all non-em﻿pty cells in a range

13. SUMIF / SUMIFS
Counts non-empty cells

Example: =SUMIF(﻿P1:P9,">5")
Add cells that meet a condition

14. IF / NESTED IFS
Performs conditional tests

Example: =IF(R﻿1>5;"Yes";"No")
For sim﻿ple cond﻿itions

Note:

IF: 1 variable
IFS: multiple variables

=IF(test, true, false)

=IF(test1, true, IF(test2, true, false)) Nested IF

=IFS(test1, true, test2, true, test3, true)

15. AVERAGEIF / AVERAGEIFS
Calculates the average for cells that meet criteria

=AVER﻿AGEIF(Q1:Q9;">5")
Average of values over 5

16. Logical Operators (AND, OR)
Combines multiple conditions

Examples:

=AND(S1>5;S2<2)
Both conditions are true => Output is true

=OR(S1>5;S2<2)
Just 1 condition is true => Output is true

17. CONCATENATE
Joins two or more text strings

Example: =C﻿ONCATENATE(T1," ",T2)
Com﻿bine first name and last name in one cell

18. LEFT/RIGTH
Extracts characters from the start/end of a text string

Examples:

=LEF﻿T(U1;5)
Excel

=RIGHT(U1;5)
Class

19. MID
Extracts characters from the middle of a text string

Example: =MID(V1;7;7)
7 characters starting from the 7th => Mastery

20. TEXT
Converts a value to text in a specific number format

Ex: =TEXT(V1;”MMM-YY")
7/02/2024 => Feb-24

21. IFERRROR
Returns a custom result if a formula errors out

Ex: =IFERROR(W1,"0")
Give 0 as output, instead o﻿f "# div" error

Taplio

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