Cash Flow Chronicles Open Forum

This week, we’re joined by Matt Elliott, former President of Bank of America Michigan and Founder of Blue Lake Ideas, bringing 35+ years of leadership experience across commercial banking and capital markets.

We sat down with Matt to discuss:
• Why leadership today isn’t about strategy alone, it’s about building the capacity to execute in an increasingly complex, fast-moving world.
• The “Power of AND” — moving beyond binary thinking to unlock better decisions, stronger teams, and sustainable growth.
• How great leaders create space, not just direction, it's empowering teams through trust, clarity, and shared ownership.
• Why culture truly does eat strategy for lunch and how misalignment shows up when organizations are under pressure.
• Communication as the ultimate differentiator from the boardroom to early-career professionals entering the workforce.
• Practical leadership tools like pausing with intention, running small experiments, and embracing uncertainty instead of avoiding it.

📺 Youtube (Full Video): https://youtu.be/1L6vvgRlZmU

Connect with Matt Elliott: linkedin.com/in/matt-elliott-4866b58
Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

This week, we’re joined by Andy Neary, Founder of Complete Game Consulting, and a leading voice in modern sales strategy and personal branding.

We sat down with Andy to discuss:
• The biggest shift in sales since 2020 — why business is no longer about who you know, but who knows you!
• Why traditional outreach is losing effectiveness and how attention, not activity, is now the name of the game.
• Building a personal brand that attracts opportunities.
• The power of consistency — why the most successful sales professionals block time every week to prospect, nurture relationships, and grow their visibility.
• AI vs. authenticity — how to use AI to support your strategy without losing the human connection buyers are craving.

📺 Youtube (Full Video): https://lnkd.in/eycdXgDi

Connect with Andy Neary: linkedin.com/in/andyneary
Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

We sat down with Laurie Harbour with Wipfli to discuss:
• The real state of manufacturing — mixed signals in the market, uncertainty around tariffs, and pockets of strong growth across the industry.
• Margin compression and post-COVID cost pressures — why many manufacturers are seeing higher costs, softer revenues, and the importance of controlling what you can.
• Diversification strategies for suppliers — expanding into adjacent markets, rethinking sales strategies, and actively hunting for new opportunities.
• Cash flow as the lifeblood of manufacturing — why tracking and managing cash is more critical than ever for small and mid-sized suppliers.

Full YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/ZqTYimWK0Gg

Connect with Laurie Harbour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-harbour-264a253/
Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

On this episode of Cash Flow Chronicles Open Forum, Matt Allison and Brad Metzger sit down with Detroit-based founder Nishant Dixit to unpack one of manufacturing’s biggest challenges: getting paid on time.

From 90–120 day payment terms in automotive to the growing working capital gap facing Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers, the conversation dives into how delayed funding strains margins, limits growth, and makes diversification into aerospace, EV, and other sectors even harder. Nishant shares his journey from global emerging markets to launching an AI-native FinTech platform built in Detroit, designed specifically to help manufacturers accelerate payments, improve cash visibility, reduce fraud risk, and make smarter financing decisions.

This episode explores the real-world impact of AI in finance where automation meets human oversight and why the best tech solutions don’t have to come from Silicon Valley.

If you’re in manufacturing, banking, automotive, or supply chain finance, this is a practical, Midwest-rooted conversation about stabilizing cash flow and strengthening the ecosystem from the ground up.

Full YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/cyuDHFv0jDk

Connect with Nishant Dixit: linkedin.com/in/nishantdixit
Business Website for Alisio Fi:  alisiofi.com

Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Grigorian, President & CEO of the Detroit Economic Club (DEC), to explore the role of one of America’s longest-standing forums for business, government and social dialogue.

From the Club’s founding in 1934 and its mission to foster discussion on the most pressing economic and societal issues, to how DEC curates conversations with top business leaders, policymakers and thought leaders. Steve shares how he came to lead the DEC along with what it takes to steward an organization that has hosted every U.S. President since Richard Nixon.

We also dig into how DEC connects emerging professionals through its Young Leaders and career development programs.  But more importantly why Detroit remains a vital stage for national and global economic conversation.

Connect with Steve here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrigorian/

Learn more about the Detroit Economic Club and become a member: https://www.econclub.org/

About the Detroit Economic Club: Formed in 1934 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to the discussion and debate of important business, government and social issues. Fortune 100 CEOs and top government officials continue to deliver thought leadership on our dynamic world, from the DEC’s storied podium.

Connect with Steve Grigorian
Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

In Part 2 of our conversation with Shane Galvin, founder of Power CFO, we move from framework to reality—what fractional CFO work actually looks like once the engagement begins.

This episode is about execution.
About cash.
About accountability.
And about why strong businesses don’t operate in the dark. 

We talk about: What strategic fractional CFO services really mean—and how they differ from tactical finance work

Why cash flow sits at the foundation of every decision How the Profitability Pyramid becomes a working system, not a slide deck What the right client–CFO partnership requires (and what makes it fail)

How statements of work create clarity, ownership, and measurable ROI

Why most fractional CFO engagements should be treated as investments—not expenses How quarterly health checks uncover hidden margin and risk

A real-world case study on failed technology implementation—and what turned it into a multi-million-dollar success

This conversation pulls back the curtain on what finance leaders and business owners are actually wrestling with behind the scenes—and why structure consistently outperforms noise when pressure rises.

About Power CFO: Power CFO helps business owners and leadership teams bring structure, clarity, and financial discipline to their operations—so growth decisions are intentional, measurable, and aligned with long-term goals.

Youtube (Full Video): https://youtu.be/21s7KwQMpLA

Connect with Shane here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneglavinmba/
Learn more about Power CFO: https://www.thepowercfo.com

Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

This week on the Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum, we sit down with Shane Galvin, founder of Power CFO, for a conversation grounded in how finance leaders actually help companies reach their goals. Not because he followed a content strategy. Not because he was chasing reach. But because he shows up candid, practical, and focused on what actually moves the needle.

In Part 1, we talk about: How the Profitability Pyramid gives leaders a clear system to align growth, cash flow, and decision-making What finance leaders really wrestle with behind the scenes Why clarity beats cleverness when companies are under pressure How structure—not noise—helps businesses achieve what they set out to do This conversation sets the foundation for understanding how strong financial leadership creates direction, discipline, and momentum inside growing companies.

About Power CFO: Power CFO helps business owners and leadership teams bring structure, clarity, and financial discipline to their operations—so growth decisions are intentional, sustainable, and aligned with long-term goals.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 goes deeper into execution, fractional CFO structure, ROI, and real-world application.

Youtube (Full Video): https://youtu.be/J5xbsMHvfoE

Connect with Shane here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneglavinmba/
Learn more about Power CFO: https://www.thepowercfo.com

Connect with Matt Allison: linkedin.com/in/allisonmatt
Connect with Brad Metzger: linkedin.com/in/bradlmetzger
Cashflow Chronicles Open Forum: linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

In this episode of Cash Flow Chronicles, we sit down with John Trendell of Republic Business Credit to dive into the real world of alternative financing and why it can be a game-changer when traditional bank loans fall short. When businesses face sudden cash-flow issues, production delays, or rapid growth opportunities, asset-based lending and factoring can provide the flexible working capital needed to keep things moving. John breaks down when these tools make sense, how they work, and what leaders should consider when navigating non-bank funding options.

What You’ll Learn:

• When unexpected disruptions make alternative lending the smarter move
• How ABL and factoring convert invoices, receivables, and inventory into fast capital
• Why non-bank financing can support both recovery and growth
• Practical insights for owners, CFOs, and operations leaders facing cash-flow pressure

Whether you're scaling, stabilizing, or strategizing, this episode delivers actionable guidance for securing the capital you need without relying solely on traditional banks.

John Trendell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-trendell-133b943/
Cashflow Chronicles Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum/

 #BusinessPodcast #AlternativeFinance #AssetBasedLending #Factoring #WorkingCapital #SmallBiz #CashFlow #Leadership #GrowthMindset #CashFlowChronicles

We were joined by Jason Hill, Co-Founder of J2 IT Group, and together they provide technology consulting and is a managed services provider headquartered out of Southeastern Michigan. 

Specializing in solving business issues, they implement and utilize technology through their people, expertise, and partners. We discuss the importance of making sure that your technology needs are being address but more importantly, its secure.  Having a good managed IT partner can help mitigate the risk of fraud which can disrupt your business thus impacting your cashflow and bottom line.

LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hill-3546201/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/j2it-group/posts/?feedView=all

Website: http://www.j2itgroup.com

Political disruption and technology shifts are the top challenges executives face in 2025. But there's a third crisis quietly destroying businesses: the skills shortage, combined with an aging workforce and changing employment expectations. On this episode, we sit down with Derek Hilbert, founder of Kingfisher Recruiting, a niche recruiting firm serving construction, manufacturing and industrial sectors. Derek shares why engaging a recruiting expert isn't just about posting a job—it's about tapping into networks of passive candidates, matching culture and capability, and streamlining hiring for long-term success. The hard truth: 32% of leaders say attracting and retaining top talent is their biggest concern heading into 2025 . Traditional recruiting isn't what it used to be. 

What Derek reveals:
◼️ Why "people, process, product" is the only order that prevents catastrophic mis-hires
◼️ The real reason top talent won't relocate (it's math, not money)
◼️ How neurobehavioral assessments expose what personality tests miss
◼️ Why not serving competitors simultaneously protects your talent strategy
◼️ The psychology trick keeping you trapped in endless candidate searches
◼️ Real stories: Finding one-in-five-in-the-world engineers and transforming hiring outcomes

Whether you're stuck in the talent war, seeking hidden opportunities, or curious about effective recruiting—this conversation delivers the insider view you need. 

Connect with Derek: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekhilbert/ Website: https://kingfisherrecruiting.com/
Cash Flow Chronicles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cashflow-chronicles-open-forum

Topics: Recruiting | Talent Acquisition | Manufacturing | Construction | Industrial | Leadership | Workforce Planning