Decisions related to customers, suppliers, employees and bankers almost always have financial components. Do you frequently make decisions without the proper financial analysis? Do you need supporting financial data but you’re not sure what it should be or how to retrieve and format it? Does your bias toward a preferred outcome keep you from clearly seeing the empirical facts of the matter? Financial analysis requires a specific skill set which when lacking leaves the decision makers without clear vision.
What makes a great CFO?
The best CFOs think strategically, are good communicators, anticipate what’s ahead and know how to build high performance teams. They have insight to drive the numbers, can understand business from an owner’s and an investor’s perspective, and communicate effectively with bankers, board members, key team members and other professionals. Leading CFOs also support and challenge the leaders of the business and offer guidance. They assist leaders in navigating risk, making sure that decisions are based off of accurate and meaningful metrics, and provide creative insight as to how to best plan for growth and add value to to the company. It goes without saying that they operate with the highest level of integrity and a genuine enthusiasm for the success of the business.
In what industries is Ed's knowledge and experience most beneficial?
An extensive knowledge of the manufacturing and service industries (including oilfield, general and agricultural sectors) combined with years of experience in developing, refining and executing operational processes applicable to all types of businesses make me suited to assist entrepreneurs in most markets.
Meet Ed Dauphin
The value of service I provide is built on 43 years of experience.
26 Years of Executive Level Experience in the Banking Industry
Originally starting my banking career in Lafayette, Louisiana, with a combination of operations and commercial lending experience, I built a reputation that afforded me the opportunity to turnaround a failed bank bought from the FDIC by a group of investors. As President, I quickly transformed Louisiana Delta Bank into a high-performance bank. I exceeded investor goals through developing updated operational systems, reducing operational cost through the implementation of technology, and acquiring a large agricultural loan portfolio. I then assumed the role of CFO of the holding company, which owned Louisiana Delta Bank, other banks and loan related businesses.
Discovering My Passion
Being at the helm of Louisiana Delta Bank and leading the Chamber of Commerce of that area for many years afforded me the opportunity to work closely with business owners in Northeast Louisiana. I soon recognized that a majority of entrepreneurs of privately held companies had a need for a Part-Time CFO or Business Coach to assist with financial and management issues. Assisting entrepreneurs in their visions to further grow their companies became my passion and my consulting career began.
17 Years of Offering Consulting Expertise
Since moving back to Lafayette in 1998, I have focused on providing part-time CFO services and executive level business coaching to Louisiana entrepreneurs. In addition to my own client base, I have been a third-party consultant providing services to the clients of the Small Business Development Center in Lafayette and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana for over 10 years. I have also been a member of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana Industrial Advisory Board since 2000 (retiring from that board in 2010 and returning in 2014) and served as its Chairman for 3 years.
Setting you up for success is my main goal. I will listen, observe and provide my expertise in order to help make the vision you have for your company and your future a reality.
Dr. Barbara Thornton Brierre, President/Owner of Seablue Vitamins, LLC
Ed Dauphin has been my business consultant since 2006. He was referred to me by Chris Gambel, and I will be forever grateful to both of these gentlemen because without them I probably would have quit a lot of things a long time ago.