Tariffs, Transparency, and Timely Decisions: A CFO’s Playbook for Manufacturers

In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with Todd Shores, a fractional CFO with Creative Planning, to unpack the financial realities facing Iowa businesses in the new tariff-driven economy. As tariffs expand, manufacturers are being forced to navigate fluctuating input costs, alternative supply chains, and shifting global trade relationships. Shores provides a CFO’s perspective on how business leaders can build resilience by adjusting strategies, tightening execution, and maintaining open communication with their teams.

One of the key themes in the conversation is transparency with employees. Shores explains why it’s vital for leaders to share the financial implications of tariffs and cost pressures with their workforce—helping teams understand the “why” behind the decisions, whether that’s cost reductions, new sourcing strategies, or revised market priorities. This approach not only builds trust but also positions employees as informed partners in adapting to change.

The episode also explores the strategic pivots manufacturers must make in light of tariffs. From identifying new target markets less exposed to trade conflicts, to sourcing products from regions with lower tariff impacts, Shores highlights the need for companies to think creatively about where and how they compete. He emphasizes the importance of reviewing financial data frequently and reacting quickly—recognizing that lag time in decision-making can magnify risks and erode margins.

Listeners will come away with a practical framework for navigating uncertainty: embrace transparency, analyze financials with urgency, and stay nimble in pursuing new opportunities. For Iowa’s manufacturers, these strategies could mean the difference between surviving the current environment and seizing it as a springboard for future growth.