I would like to introduce myself: my name is Hector Meza, and I have been a consultant at Trusteer Financial since its inception in 2020. My role primarily involves helping clients create financial projections for their businesses and projects with over a decade of experience in financial consulting. Before that, I worked in many different industries during my youth in NYC. In the early 2010s, I was taken by the Tech Startup/Lean Startup culture, truly believing that technology could be a force for good in solving some of society’s most pressing problems. These days, my belief has waned for many reasons, including but not limited to growing inequality, a worsening climate crisis, and the way tech/social media enables political polarization. In short, I've grown skeptical of the notion that businesses, especially tech ones, are the most effective means of tackling these issues. It may seem counterintuitive then that I have been put in charge of writing the blog for a consulting company whose main clientele is tech startups. I do believe my skepticism is an asset when advising our clients. What kind of consultant would I be if I didn’t challenge my clients’ overly optimistic outlook? While I aim not to be a pessimist and strive to be diplomatic, I've found that challenging clients often lead to positive impacts on their projects. Similarly, my goal in writing is to provide you with much more than just “content,” I aim to offer real value and insights, even if they're challenging. I want this blog to reward the time and attention you’ve given to Trusteer and me. We want you to know there is a real human with real human insights writing this column (granted, AI will still help us with a bit of style checking and proofreading). My goal with this blog is to create meaningful, insightful pieces that provoke thought, offer tangible benefits, and start discussions.
I have concerns not only regarding the quality of “content” but also regarding the prevailing narrative in much of the business and startup press. To be honest, it has been some time since I actively engaged with these sources. While I do stay informed with the latest economic news through reputable newspapers such as The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, I maintain a level of skepticism even towards these established outlets. Frequently, the news presented tends to be overly optimistic and tailored to align with specific political agendas.
The Harsh Reality, outlined since the 1970s by books such as “The Limits to Growth,” is that unlimited economic growth is not only unsustainable from an ecological perspective but also impossible. Sooner rather than later, we will be forced, either by choice or external circumstances (as we are starting to see right now), to shrink our economy and undergo what is called “de-growth.” However, a shrinking economy does not necessarily mean there is no place for business and commerce, and not all businesses will shrink. In fact, there will be ample opportunities for businesses that face the new paradigm with a grounded, calm, and realistic outlook to thrive under these circumstances.
At Trusteer, we would be remiss in our duties if we didn’t present clients with a realistic picture of what is heading our way—even if it contradicts the mainstream narrative. Equally, it is just as important for us to equip our clients with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead. We believe there is still a place for finance and accounting in this emerging new world, and we hope to use this blog as a teaching tool to help keep you up-to-date and well-armed. In our quest to provide meaningful insights, we plan to cover a variety of topics over the next few months, including:
Changing Business Landscape: Analyzing how business conditions are rapidly evolving in today's era, highlighting the decline of venture capital and the need to adapt to an ever-changing environment.
Business Ethics and Sustainability: Exploring how expectations are changing in relation to business ethics and sustainability, and how companies must adjust to these new demands to remain relevant and reputable.
Responsibility of Financial Consultants: Discussing the role of financial consultants in providing an honest and realistic view to their clients, rather than simply praising their actions. Emphasize the importance of identifying and addressing potential financial risks.
Labor Conditions and Corporate Social Responsibility: Examining the importance of demanding better working conditions and practicing corporate social responsibility in all facets of a company, including the supply chain.
Global Perspectives and Market Analysis: Highlighting the advantage of having a global perspective in financial decision-making, and how a broader approach can provide a more complete understanding of risks and opportunities.
Financial Projections as a Strategic Tool: Exploring how financial projections can be more than an abstract exercise, serving as a tool to co-create and better understand the business, as well as to strategically prepare for the future.
Impact of Emerging Technologies: Analyzing the impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency on the financial and ethical landscape, and how companies can navigate these developments ethically and strategically.
Circular Economy and Sustainability: Discussing the importance of adopting circular and sustainable business practices in a world where complex value chains can be fragile and exposed by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tax Implications and Future Trends: Exploring the tax implications of changes in the business landscape and highlighting the types of businesses that are expected to be important in the future, as part of a broader discussion on economic trends and forecasts.
We also aim to conduct interviews with esteemed experts and much more authoritative voices than our own (so you can trust that our perspectives are grounded). Additionally, we will curate reading lists and links to various useful tools to enhance your understanding and capabilities.
Which topics are you most interested in? What other topics would you like us to write about? Please feel free to leave us comments below. You have free rein to express your thoughts candidly.