Vantage Performance Podcast

The backdrop to the 2024 Federal Budget is one of persistent high inflation and subsequent cost-of-living pressures around the country. How did Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, score Treasurer Jim Chalmers this year? Well, with one eye on an early election, the government did just enough to “appear” to be helping households and businesses. Michael discusses the economy as a whole, par...

When a business is facing distress, it’s worth considering bringing in a Chief Restructuring Officer (CFO). They’re often best equipped to develop a robust turnaround plan, negotiate with suppliers and financiers, and manage the execution of the plan, according to Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance. The decision to bring in a CRO, he says, is made by the company often based on recommenda...

The many thousands of Australian businesses which fall over the cliff each year impacts the economy by billions of dollars. The social consequences are also severe, including bankruptcies, stress, layoffs, unemployment, and even suicides. To avoid collapse, Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, says businesses should regularly assess their financials, identify critical KPIs, and confront t...

How well prepared is your business to withstand any kind of shock? In this episode Michael Fingland introduces ‘productive paranoia’, a concept made famous from business author Jim Collins. Productive paranoia is the trait of being constantly alert to potential disruptions and challenges that could impact a business. Michael explains the process of brainstorming initiatives and creating a plan to...

Working capital, also known as cash flow, is the lifeblood of every business, yet many businesses fail to understand and track it. Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, says as a business grows, the amount of working capital increases. He explains the need to calculate working capital days; for example, capturing the period from purchasing raw materials to receiving cash for sold goods. Tr...

Increased stress levels are impacting businesses, and leaders need to be aware of the personal stressors that employees may be facing. That’s according to Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, who says implementing stress management techniques in the office, such as yoga classes and team outings, can help alleviate stress and improve staff morale. Checking in with employees and demonstrati...

Retail sales have plummeted, indicating a challenging economic climate for businesses, says Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance. Working capital management is crucial during tough times, with a focus on debtors, inventory, and creditor management. AI tools can significantly enhance productivity and provide a competitive edge for businesses, and so it’s important to stay updated on AI appl...

A new way of farming is taking the world by storm. Regenerative Agriculture is aimed at improving the level of organic matter and carbon in the soil. Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, says it includes a series of five core principles: minimise soil disturbance, keep soil covered, maintain living roots in the soil, maximise plant diversity, and reintroduce livestock. Not only is Regen A...

Farmers across Australia – as well as other parts of the world – are facing a multitude of challenges, including a glut of supply, a surge of productions costs, financing and debt issues, inflation, and weather events. Cashflow is being hit hard, and many will still be facing headwinds for another 12 months or so, says Michael Fingland of Vantage Performance. Vantage Performance – https://vantagep...

Australia in many ways hasn’t recovered since the days of COVID. Productivity for instance has continued to suffer and is affecting businesses across the country. Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, says artificial intelligence is a productivity game-changer. He explains why you need to understand and embrace AI or risk being left behind. Vantage Performance – https://vantageperformance....

As the economy struggles, so too are many businesses across the country. Prices are going through the roof and it’s tougher to access funding. Michael Fingland, CEO of Vantage Performance, says if you’re looking for a loan you need to stand out from the crowd. To do that, you need to develop and strategic plan and show the bank that you understand your cashflow and balance sheet. Vantage Performan...

Vantage Performance’s own research has shown that the vast majority of company directors still don’t know about the Safe Harbour regime. Michael Fingland tells Phil Dobbie he is disappointed in the findings, particularly during a pandemic when many businesses are struggling to survive. In this edition of the Vantage Performance podcast he explains why struggling businesses need to have a robust Sa...

The COVID crisis has tested the staying power of many business leaders. In today’s Vantage Performance Podcast Michael Fingland takes Phil Dobbie through the traits of resilient leaders, who can consistently deliver results, carrying their team with them. Listen in to pick up tips about what makes great leaders deal with a crisis, from how they communicate, through to looking after the welfare of...

COVID19 is likely to result in a 1 in 100 year recession – so what does that mean for your business? In this edition of the Vantage Performance podcast Michael Fingland goes through the seven principles that will help your business to survive and come out stronger than before. The seven principles discussed are: 1. A 100 day stabilisation plan 2. One or two big changes in strategy 3. Stakeholder m...

Businesses should be seeing the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity. It’s a time to refocus, says Vantage Performance’s Michael Fingland. In this podcast he tells Phil Dobbie that now is the time to think of the one or two big changes to your strategy that will make your company more resilient and ready to grow as the economy picks up. It means you will have a stronger company. But you also don’t ha...

Right now, the Australia economy faces the same challenges as a business struggling to survive. Michael Fingland tells Phil Dobbie that we need to treat the country in the same way as we would a business, with a turnaround strategy that will rebuild a vibrant economy. The opportunity is to return to a new normal that is more prosperous and resilient than life before the virus. In this podcast he o...

Monday 6th April 2020 In these uncertain times it is vital that managers keep their stress levels under control, for two reasons. First, it’ll stop you getting sick. Secondly, your staff will be looking to you to show that you have the situation under control, so they can manage their stress levels. In this podcast Vantage Performance’s Michael Fingland talks Phil Dobbie through his simple three-p...

Many businesses are facing a severe reduction in revenue, without the cashflow and working capital to see through what could be several months of shutdown. In this, the first of several special Vantage Performance podcasts, Michael Fingland urges business owners not to give-up, because there are options to ‘put on ice’ various expenses and other aspects of your operations, including delaying rent...

Businesses often fail because they lose their way. The original vision gets lost as the company grows over time, or perhaps its less relevant today and hasn’t been subject to regular review. In this edition of The Vantage Performance Podcast Michael Fingland tells Phil Dobbie the number one question his company uses to direct the business. From that spring a series of other questions that are cons...

Over the years, Vantage Performance has developed a set of questions they always ask themselves at the start of a new Turnaround Project. Vantage Performance CEO Michael Fingland talks Phil Dobbie through all seven, explaining their importance in determining how to proceed: 1. What are the 1-2 big changes needed? 2. Can we stabilise cash flow for at least 100 days? 3. How many key issues are insid...

It’s almost two years since the Australian government introduced the Safe Harbour legislation, designed to provide protection for directors whilst they’re developing and executing a turnaround or restructuring plan, to greatly reduce the number of companies that enter Voluntary Administration or Liquidation. In this edition of the Vantage Performance Podcast, Phil Dobbie asks Michael Fingland, Van...

If your business is in trouble, and you fail to meet your obligations with your bank, you could face having your account moved to a workout banker. So, how does that change your relationship with your bank. Phil Dobbie talks to Matt Jesse in this edition of the Vantage Performance Podcast. Matt has 25 years’ experience in the turnaround industry – before joining Vantage Performance he was a workou...

The Queensland Government’s new licensing scheme for labour hire providers came into effect on 16 April 2018 requiring all labour hire providers to lodge a license application by 15 June 2018. The new laws have serious implications for all labour hire businesses, their clients and other stakeholders. Even if they have lodged their application, they may be denied a licence due to the stringent requ...

In today’s podcast Michael Fingland, from Vantage Performance, says we need potential clients to have a clearer understanding of what the Turnaround Industry is. He says there needs to be a better global definition that will encourage directors to seek help earlier. He says, “It’s what every financier, government department, every bank, lawyer, accountants, wants … for their client to seek help an...

The relationship with your bank is equally as important as with your clients and suppliers, says Vantage Performance’s Michael Fingland. In this podcast he talks Phil Dobbie through the five steps you should follow to improve your banking relationship: - Ensuring there are no surprises - Having strategic clarity - Providing financial visibility - Building familiarity with the management team - Dev...