Frank Aloise has some stories to tell! As the CFO of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) for 16 years, having served as the board chair of NBOA, and as the board chair of PAISBOA, he has seen the ups and downs of school leadership.

In my interview Frank shares his wisdom and insights about cultivating cohesiveness in the team, advice that he wishes he had known years ago, along with some tips for improving as a consultative business officer (CBO). As you will see, Frank is an outstanding example of a CBO, especially in light of his servant leadership attitude, how he prioritizes his time, his collaborative spirit, and in his expert ability to build trust and engagement. Below I've summarized the key points from our dialogue.

I recently read an article about the Dallas Cowboys new training facility, that many say will give them an advantage against other NFL teams. But what if it will also give some local schools a competitive advantage as well?

What you may also find interesting is that the Frisco Independent School District will share this state-of-the art athletic and entertainment facility that will include a 12,000-seat indoor stadium, a luxury hotel, and convention center. "Teaming up with the Cowboys on the indoor stadium allowed the city to save about $500,000 a year in operating costs and between $10 million and $15 million in capital costs." 

This will certainly be an innovative destination that provides powerful marketing but also economies of scale for the local public schools. That's smart! We've seen some other new designs for facilities that inspire a whole new approach to education. These are some of the school buildings in your future. 

To be the best it makes sense to learn from the best. Barbara Daush has served as the President at St. Agnes Academy - St. Dominic School for the last 22 years. Very few have achieved the level of success and influence that she has established during this illustrious career.

To understand the full scope of her school leadership, consider that Barbara is:

* Currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
* Was named the 2014 CEO of the Year by MBQ Magazine
* Is a member of the inaugural class of the Memphis Business Journal's Super Women in Business in 2012
* Is a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS)
* Is past president of the Memphis Association of Independent Schools.

Listening to families in your school--along with those that have left and some that chose other options--is the best way to understand how you can create greater value and grow enrollment.

You have different tools for listening: electronic surveys, interviews, observations, social media, etc. But how can you more accurately hear what current and prospective families are really saying, thinking, and feeling? The best way to improve your knowledge and understanding of families in your target market is to consciously make the effort to hear not only their words, but, more importantly, appreciate the complete message being sent. 

These perceptions contribute to the success of your school--whether you are expertly professional or awkwardly lazy in your standards and expectations. Excellence is the word most commonly used on school websites and in marketing materials, and your families are daily evaluating your commitment to excellence based on their interactions with you.

What evidence would you look for in a school where the leader says:
"Our people are our greatest asset."

A few months ago we received a call from one of the best human resources directors in education because she was searching for a professional development program on managing difficult people and conversations. Her school had gone through some challenging situations that required courageous leadership to successfully navigate through the danger zones. She knew that with the right training and skills, the administrative team would be better prepared to make the best decisions to guide the organization forward.

Repeatedly we have heard the same message when discussing school strategies for enrollment, communication and innovation planning:

"The Safety Lab training helped put a sharp spotlight on the weaknesses in our current crisis plan." -- Heather B., School Principal

The audit is a misunderstood tool that provides vital information--if you know the right questions to ask. Are you getting the most benefit from your annual financial audit? What questions should a board member be asking?

Some accrediting agencies require an annual audit, and sometimes one is required for compliance with the school's loan covenants. Even if it isn't mandated, an annual audit is a best practice that is highly recommended to protect board members and the administrators from significant liability risks.

Most of the world's richest people are successful entrepreneurs--people who had the courage and stamina to take a business from startup or early stage to remarkable profitability. Just this week, for example, the founders of mobile app Snapchat were inducted into Forbes list of billionaires. You may not have people in your school community at that level of wealth, but your likely to have some successful entrepreneurs who have substantial leadership skills and financial capacity.