Some Companies Have a CFO… we have a CFNo!
Many small businesses in the FedGovCon space have a CFO, who is accountable for a litany of activities in the business – Accounting and Finance, Treasury Management, Banking, Risk Management, Contracts, Legal, and more. Here at ICS, I have the luxury of not only having a CFO on my leadership team, but, as I fondly […]
Communicate Like a Pro: Talk, Don’t Type
In my tenure as a CEO in the government contracting arena, I’ve observed a pivotal trend: the over-reliance on email communication often leads to poor outcomes in Government and Industry. This isn’t just about miscommunication; it’s about the real costs incurred when trying to communicate and understand mission requirements. The Over-Reliance on Email Email and […]
How to Craft a Clear, Executable Vision
A clear, galvanizing vision serves as the bedrock for enduring business growth. We instill unity by articulating our niche, ideal customer, and commitment to guarantees. Documented strategically, this aligns our entire organization. Niche: Our niche establishes our special value. Rather than generic positioning, analyze the precise market gaps you fill better than anyone. Refine that […]
Overcommitted leaders struggle to focus
As leaders of small businesses, we wear many hats and juggle countless responsibilities. It’s easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of day-to-day operations, putting out fires rather than moving the needle on strategic goals. This prevents us from dedicating time to high-impact activities that actually move our companies forward. To thrive in today’s […]
Stop “Doing”. Start Leading
As leaders of growing organizations, we often wear many hats and juggle an endless list of tasks. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work, putting out fires, and doing whatever it takes to keep the business running. However, in our quest to do it all, we risk losing sight of the big […]
The $10,000 Mistake Rule: Evolving from Doer to Strategic Leader
The $10k Mistake Rule For small business owners and CEOs, the transition from doer to strategic leader is both rewarding and demanding. In enterprise IT services, this evolution becomes particularly essential, as growth mandates a shift from hands-on tasks to a focus on strategic planning and execution. The Importance of Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities […]
Ideation is the Antidote to the Law of Unintended Consequences
Tom Brazil, CMI-CIO Chief Digital & Innovation Officer, ICS, Inc.; Chief Innovation Officer, Red Team Engineering August 23, 2020 I love just to sit and think. The problem is that there never seems to be enough time to do so. From a business perspective, my CEO recognizes the value of setting aside time […]
How do we Keep “Uncontested Superiority” Once we Regain it? A Case for Innovation Management
Tom Brazil, CMI-CIO Chief Digital & Innovation Officer, ICS, Inc.; Chief Innovation Officer, Red Team Engineering September 19, 2019 For those that don’t know me, my name is Tom Brazil, and I am a board member of the US-based Non-profit International Association of Innovation Professionals (www.iaoip.org), the only ANSI and ISO-supported global certifying […]
