Every business eventually hits a wall. Revenue stalls, cash feels tight, growth slows. Most founders assume the solution is to simply do more — more ads, more sales calls, more staff. But growth doesn’t halt everywhere at once. It halts at the weakest link. Until that link is fixed, nothing else matters.
At Argento CPA, we use the MOZI 6 Framework, originally popularized by Alex Hormozi, as a structured process to diagnose and fix these constraints. Here’s how it works, and how we apply it through a CFO/advisory lens.
Core Principles
- One constraint at a time: Growth halts at the weakest link. Until it’s fixed, nothing else matters.
- Constraint = Priority: If you have more than one “priority,” you’re the problem.
- Leverage drives output: Two forms — skills (capability) and tech (tools).
- Compounding accelerates growth: Systems that keep producing (retention, referrals, brand) create momentum without equal input.
Step 1: Diagnose the Constraint (MOZI 6 Framework)
A linear checklist, adapted from Alex Hormozi’s framework, to pinpoint where growth is blocked:
- More – Can you simply do more of what’s already working?
- For sub-$1M businesses, volume solves most problems.
- If “more” works, double down before changing strategy.
- Metrics – Do you know your numbers?
- Track leads → scheduled → show → sales.
- Financials: CAC, LTV, revenue, profit, cash flow.
- If the data is missing, the constraint is visibility.
- Market – Is the target market actually too small?
- 99% of the time, it isn’t.
- Expand channels, geographies, or avatars before declaring “market” the issue.
- Model – Does the business model scale?
- Is retention built in?
- Does pricing support reinvestment?
- Fast paths to $10M often collapse before $100M without foundational fixes.
- Money – Is cash the issue? Break it down:
- Leads cost too much → improve ads, offers, branding.
- Low close rate → improve CRO, sales process, training.
- Low profit per client → increase pricing, upsells, reduce costs.
- Cash flow delay → adjust terms, prepay incentives, BNPL.
- Manpower – Are you supply-constrained on talent?
- Track Lifetime Gross Profit Per Employee (LTGPPE).
- Treat recruitment like lead gen: ads, funnels, group interviews.
- Use referral bonuses tied to value created (e.g., 10:1 ratio).
Step 2: Match Constraint to Solution
Once identified, apply the most effective fix:
- More → Increase output volume (ads, outreach, sales calls).
- Metrics → Build dashboards; make visibility the top priority.
- Market → Expand avatars, geographies, or segments.
- Model → Restructure pricing, retention, or delivery.
- Money → Fix CAC/LTV mismatch, tighten sales economics, shorten cash cycle.
- Manpower → Invest in brand + talent, train for leverage, recruit differently.
Step 3: Apply Leverage
Leverage multiplies output without multiplying input:
- Skills: Training, standards, hiring for the smallest deficiency.
- Tech: Systems, automation, AI, software.
- Goal: One input, multiple outputs (flywheels).
Step 4: Build Compounding Vehicles
Linear growth depends on constant effort. Compounding growth builds momentum:
- Retention: Clients stay longer, margins improve.
- Referrals: Clients bring clients.
- Reputation: Brand creates inbound demand.
- Network effects & integrations.
Step 5: Implementation Strategy
- Break equilibrium with demand: Push 30% harder for 8–12 weeks.
- Redline capacity: Create cash flow and momentum.
- Reinvest into fixing the constraint: Talent, systems, pricing.
- Repeat: New constraint will always emerge.
The Advisor’s Checklist
- Identify one constraint using MOZI 6.
- Validate with metrics (100+ data points minimum).
- Decide: Is this solved by doing more or fixing fundamentals?
- Allocate resources (time, capital, talent).
- Apply leverage (skills/tech).
- Layer compounding into the solution.
- Monitor: when constraint shifts, restart cycle.
The Advisor’s Role
- Chief Prioritization Officer: Keep clients focused on the constraint, not noise.
- Decision Accelerator: Provide data, frameworks, and clarity to act fast.
- Behavior Change Driver: Ensure the business implements — not just learns.
Ready to Break Your Constraint?
We run 2 Agency Finance Health Checks per month.
In 45 minutes, you’ll get:
- A constraint diagnosis using the MOZI 6 Framework
- A 90-day cash + margin plan tied to your bottleneck
Book yours HERE.
About the Author
Michael Argento, CPA
Founder + Fractional CFO at Argento CPA
Michael helps ambitious business owners align compensation with performance. From creative agencies and SaaS startups to scaling construction trades businesses, he builds financial systems that reward results—without sacrificing sustainability.