Key Takeaway
- Benchmarking against peers helps uncover hidden performance gaps
- Deconstructing key metrics reveals what’s really driving results
- Turning data into clear insights improves team alignment and leadership
- Strategic decision-making is about clarity, not complexity
- Even small businesses can benefit from boardroom-level thinking
How a CFO’s approach to data can inspire smarter decision-making for your business
In uncertain times, one thing remains constant: the value of making decisions rooted in data, not just instinct.
That was a key theme in a recent panel discussion hosted by QwickAnalytics, where bank executives—including our CFO, Kimberly Schugart—shared how they use data to guide strategic planning, communicate with stakeholders, and stay focused in a volatile market.
While the discussion centered on banks, it revealed lessons that are just as relevant to business owners across all industries.
1. Benchmarking Can Reframe Your Strategy
A major topic was the use of peer data to identify meaningful differences in performance. For a bank, this means looking at how its balance sheet, margins, or asset mix compares to similar institutions. These insights then guide board discussions and risk assessments.
For a business owner, the concept is the same. Ask yourself:
- How do your profit margins compare to peers in your industry?
- Are your inventory turns, customer retention, or pricing strategies in line with the market?
- Are you over- or under-performing in ways you haven’t examined closely?
Benchmarking isn’t about blindly chasing averages—it’s about asking better questions to sharpen your strategy.
2. Deconstruct Performance to Understand What’s Really Driving It
Kimberly also spoke about “margin decomposition” to break down a key banking metric called net interest margin (NIM).
While that’s a technical term, the principle is simple: Don’t just look at the result. Understand what’s causing it.
Business owners can apply the same logic:
- If revenue is flat, is it due to a drop in volume, a change in pricing, or a shift in your customer mix?
- If profits are up, is it sustainable or a one-time windfall?
- What factors are driving your most (or least) profitable business segments?
When you dissect performance, you gain clarity—and clarity leads to smarter action.
3. Translate Complexity into Actionable Insight
A theme echoed by multiple panelists was that data is only valuable if you can communicate it clearly. Whether you’re reporting to a board, presenting to investors, or aligning your internal team, your ability to distill complex metrics into a meaningful story makes the difference between being understood and being ignored.
If you lead a business, consider:
- How are you sharing financials or key performance indicators (KPIs) with your team?
- Are your key stakeholders aligned around the numbers that matter most?
- Do you need to simplify your reporting to enable better decisions?
As Kimberly put it: “QwickAnalytics helps us present complex data in a format even non-bankers can understand—and allows us to focus more time on strategy, not spreadsheets.”
Data Isn’t Just for Big Companies—It’s for Better Leaders
You don’t need to be a CFO to think strategically. You just need to:
- Track what matters
- Benchmark when possible
- Break down performance
- And communicate insights clearly
Whether you’re managing a $5 million business or a $500 million balance sheet, better decisions start with better understanding.
Watch the Full Discussion
You can watch the full Coffee Talk Q&A hosted by QwickAnalytics here:
The panel features several banking leaders, including Kimberly Schugart, Chief Financial Officer of New Omni Bank, sharing practical insights into how financial institutions use data to guide strategy and decision-making. Many of the takeaways are relevant to business owners as well.
The views expressed in this blog are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. New Omni Bank does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information provided by third parties. Please consult with a qualified advisor regarding your individual business or financial needs.
