Bob Cole is a managing partner for 5 Diamonds, LLC. Bob has over 25 years of financial experience in Fortune 100, small & medium-sized and start-up businesses, including:
Director of Finance - In a multi-company environment for a Roanoke-based technology incubator, prepared business case for a vision care start-up resulting in significant capital raise (~$15M+) from nationally known VC partners. Also managed complex re-financing to eliminate parent company debt.
Cash flow – as a hands-on controller, Bob designed and implemented aggressive cash controls in crisis situations, focusing first on book/bank issues then moving into aggressive working capital management techniques, including AR collections acceleration and conservation through vendor negotiations.
Start-up - At IBM Global Services, Bob had acknowledged expertise in managing start-up operations for 3 contracts in excess of $500 Million each. He designed and documented financial processes and controls, including financial analysis as the basis for Revenue/Profit projections to year-end and beyond.
Business Analysis - Bob has evaluated terms and conditions and priced (business case optimization) over 100 business proposals leading to go/no-go decisions
Business Planning – Bob supported the announcement of IBM’s 1st portable PC product and briefed incoming executive management on plans for the then-emerging line of ThinkPad products. Bob was also instrumental in developing business models to support joint ventures, an emerging approach for a company then known for its insular business practices.
Due diligence – While involved in public accounting, Bob performed field work to evaluate acquisition candidates. Bob is also very experienced in responding to due diligence requests.
Internal controls – in a multi-company environment, Bob consolidated a disorganized chart of accounts down to a useful – and common – structure across 10 subsidiaries. In addition, common processes eased start-up of 4 subsidiaries while 6 others were either spun off or discontinued. Bob has always taken a risk-based approach to controls development and implementation.
Relationships - Bob has always exhibited a team-oriented management and leadership style and has maintained superb professional relationships. Bob also commonly worked with teams across several locations to develop a consistent – and actionable – message for the line executive.
Bob Cole, Managing Partner