Absolute Numbers

How you price your services can have a bigger impact than you might think.

This article explores why more consulting firms are moving beyond the traditional hourly billing model and looking for pricing strategies that better reflect the value they provide.

It is a good reminder for any professional services business to review whether its pricing still aligns with the way it delivers value today. Looking at utilization, profitability, and client needs can help support stronger decisions over the long term.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.wsj.com/cfo-journal/inside-consultants-messy-shift-from-hourly-billing-7bd9b802

The best pricing strategies are built on a clear understanding of your business, your clients, and your numbers.

Looking for a good business read this weekend?

As part of our Summer Reading Series, this week's recommendation is The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.

It is not a traditional business book, but it offers a valuable reminder that the best meetings, events, and conversations all start with a clear purpose.

Whether you're meeting with clients, leading your team, or connecting with your community, being intentional about why you're bringing people together can lead to stronger relationships and better outcomes.

It is a perspective that applies to every business, regardless of industry.

Have you read The Art of Gathering? We'd love to hear your biggest takeaway or your favorite business book recommendation.

Small expenses can add up faster than many businesses realize.

This article looks at the growing impact of credit card swipe fees on breweries and why even small increases can put pressure on profitability over time, especially for businesses with a high volume of transactions.

It is a good reminder to regularly review operating costs that can quietly chip away at your margins, from payment processing fees to vendor pricing.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs-updates/ba-joins-push-to-rein-in-swipe-fees-squeezing-breweries/

Keeping a close eye on your numbers makes it easier to spot margin pressure early and make informed decisions before small costs become bigger challenges.

Summer can create a little extra space to pause and think about where your business is headed.

As we move into the season, we are kicking off a Summer Reading Series featuring books with valuable insights for business owners, founders, and leaders.

Our first pick is Small Giants by Bo Burlingham.

The core idea is simple but powerful: bigger is not always better.

Many business owners feel pressure to constantly grow, but growth only matters when it supports the business you actually want to build. Some of the strongest companies are not the biggest. They are the ones with clear values, strong systems, healthy margins, and a clear vision for success.

That perspective aligns closely with how we think about sustainable growth. Building a resilient, profitable business is often more valuable than chasing growth at any cost.

This summer, we will be sharing more books and ideas around leadership, strategy, finance, and long term growth.

What does success look like for your business?

Changes in the economy or regulatory environment can impact small businesses in ways that are not always obvious at first.

This article looks at what small businesses should know following the recent Supreme Court ruling on tariff refunds. Even if the ruling does not affect every business directly, shifts like these can influence costs, cash flow, and planning decisions over time.

Staying informed matters, but understanding how those changes affect your business is what helps you make better decisions.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.uschamber.com/economy/tariff-refunds-faq-what-small-businesses-need-to-know-after-supreme-courts-ruling

Businesses with strong financial visibility are often better prepared to adapt when conditions change.

Running a successful restaurant takes more than great food and great service.

Labor challenges, rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and unexpected setbacks can all impact day to day operations. The key is having systems in place that help you identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.

This article explores how restaurant operators are taking a more proactive approach to managing risk and planning for uncertainty.

🔗 Read the full article: https://totalfood.com/enterprise-risk-management-best-practices-restaurant/

The businesses that navigate challenges most effectively are often the ones that have the clearest visibility into their operations and finances.

Rising fuel and transportation costs can affect a business in more ways than many people realize.

Over time, higher costs can influence purchasing decisions, vendor pricing, delivery expenses, and even customer expectations. The challenge is finding ways to adapt without putting unnecessary pressure on your business or your customers.

In this resource, we look at practical strategies small businesses can use to navigate rising operating costs while maintaining strong customer relationships and financial stability.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.absolutenumbers.com/resources/quick-reads/how-small-businesses-can-survive-soaring-oil-prices-and-keep-customers

Having a clear understanding of your numbers makes it easier to respond to changing conditions and make informed decisions along the way.

The coffee industry is always evolving, and staying adaptable matters.

This article explores the next chapter for coffee through changing ideas around quality standards and education. While the focus is on specialty coffee, the bigger takeaway is simple: industries change, and businesses with strong systems are often better prepared to adapt.

For coffee businesses, consistency in sourcing, production, and quality plays a major role in building trust over time.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.roastmagazine.com/stories/cqi-next-act

Strong foundations make it easier to adapt while continuing to deliver the consistency customers expect.

Professional services continue to evolve, and today’s strongest advisors are expected to bring more than technical expertise to the table.

This article explores how emerging leaders are moving beyond ex*****on and focusing more on strategy, insight, and long term client value. As expectations shift, firms are being challenged to think more proactively about how they operate and support clients.

Having a clear understanding of performance, capacity, and profitability can make it easier to make strategic decisions and build stronger client relationships over time.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.consultingmag.com/2026/04/22/shaping-the-next-generation-of-advisors-key-takeaways-from-the-2026-rising-stars-professional-series/

Strong advisory work often starts with strong visibility into your own business.

Pricing decisions impact more than just margins. They also shape how your brand is positioned, how flexible your business can be, and how you plan for growth.

Many craft beverage producers still rely on simple formulas or industry benchmarks when setting prices. Over time, that can make it harder to see true costs and protect profitability.

In our latest blog, we walk through a more complete way to approach pricing, including a few areas that are often overlooked and how they affect long term margins.

🔗 Read Now: https://www.absolutenumbers.com/blog/how-to-price-your-craft-beverages-for-profitability

With the right financial structure in place, pricing becomes more intentional and easier to adjust as your business grows.