Learn to Think in Color

How do you frame a financial ask so it feels like an opportunity, not a request? Turn “Can you help us?” into “Do you want in on this?”   Big-Picture Framing Framing a  financial ask  as an opportunity starts with a mindset shift: you’re not begging for budget, you’re opening a door to value. The more clearly you connect money to outcomes—results, impact, or returns—the more your financial ask feels like a smart option instead of a burden. At the same time, opportunity framing must stay honest: no hiding risks, no inflating upside. When you mix clarity, ethics, and just enough vulnerability, people experience your ask as a chance to build something with you, not simply fund you. Reframe the Financial Ask Around Value Most financial asks sound like a gap that needs filling:  “We’re short on funds; can you help?”  That triggers defensiveness and scarcity. Shift the focus from  what you lack  to  what their money unlocks : What concrete outcome will ...

Why Should Every Employee Understand an Income Statement? Your Secret Weapon for Making Smarter Business Decisions Understanding how your company makes—and loses—money isn’t just useful, it’s transformative. Whether you’re designing software, managing campaigns, or supporting customers, the income statement reveals the financial DNA of your business. This knowledge helps you make decisions that actually move the needle, align your work with what matters most, and accelerate your career growth. What Is an Income Statement (And Why It’s Your Business GPS)? An income statement is like a financial report card showing how your company performed over a specific period—monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Think of it as your business GPS: it shows where you’ve been financially and helps navigate where you’re going. The Income Statement Visual Framework REVENUE (Top Line) ↓ - COST OF GOODS SOLD (COGS) ↓ = GROSS PROFIT (Efficiency Score) ↓ - OPERATING EXPENSES (OpEx) ↓ = OPERATING PRO...