As Matt Slonaker, Founder at M. Allen, my extensive experience advising numerous fintech and services companies has provided me with invaluable insights into what distinguishes top-performing companies from the rest. Allow me to share a detailed narrative of these learnings, enriched by key assessment questions to consider at each critical juncture.

1. Vision as a Cornerstone:
In my journey, I've always held that a clear vision is the bedrock of any successful company. I recall working with a fintech company struggling to align its team around a shared goal. We diligently crafted a compelling vision, articulating it through 3-Year, 1-Year, and 90-Day goals. This clarity transformed the company, with over 90% of employees aligning with the mission. Their enthusiasm highlighted the transformative power of a shared vision in advancing towards a better future.

- Assessment Questions:
- Is our vision clearly articulated and understood by all team members?
- How do our short-term goals align with our long-term vision?
- What steps are we taking to ensure our team feels connected to the company's mission?

2. Deep Customer Insights:
Customer insights have always intrigued me. Partnering with a services company that had only a vague understanding of its Ideal Customer, we embarked on a journey to uncover their Unique Value Proposition (UVP) and refine their marketing strategies. The outcome was a deep, trust-filled relationship with their Ideal Customers, reinforcing my belief in the necessity of intimately knowing your customer to build lasting relationships.

- Assessment Questions:
- Do we have a detailed profile of our Ideal Customer?
- How effectively are we communicating our Unique Value Proposition?
- What mechanisms are in place to gather and analyze customer feedback?

3. People and Culture at the Heart:
The people and culture form the heart of any organization. I advised a fintech startup where cultural misalignment caused significant friction. By focusing on hiring individuals who embodied the company's core values, we fostered a harmonious work environment. The transformation was palpable, with more productive meetings and swift issue resolution, underscoring the importance of nurturing a culture that aligns with company values.

- Assessment Questions:
- How do we ensure cultural fit in our hiring process?
- What steps are we taking to reinforce our core values within the team?
- How do we measure and improve team harmony and productivity?

4. Leveraging Data Effectively:
In today's data-driven world, leveraging data effectively is imperative. I remember a company struggling to make data-driven decisions. By implementing weekly scorecards and clear KPIs, the team became more accountable, making confident decisions. This experience emphasized the necessity of using data as a strategic asset.

- Assessment Questions:
- Are we using data to inform our decision-making processes?
- How regularly do we review and update our KPIs?
- What tools and systems do we have in place to ensure data accessibility and accuracy?

5. Transformative Meetings:
Meetings, often dreaded, can be powerful if conducted properly. I've witnessed companies transform through regular, efficient team meetings. One notable instance was a services company that streamlined meetings with clear agendas, focusing on resolving key issues, resulting in a more aligned and motivated team that propelled the company forward.

- Assessment Questions:
- Are our meetings structured with clear objectives and agendas?
- How do we ensure that meetings are productive and time-efficient?
- What follow-up actions are in place to ensure accountability and progress post-meeting?

6. Scalable Processes as a Backbone:
Scalable processes are the backbone of any successful company. I've assisted organizations in documenting and implementing processes that align with their enterprise value. One project involved aligning processes with long-term goals, leading to consistent outcomes and scalable operations.

- Assessment Questions:
- Do we have documented processes for all critical operations?
- How do our processes align with our long-term strategic goals?
- What measures are in place to ensure process scalability and efficiency?

7. Understanding Enterprise Value:
Understanding enterprise value is crucial. I've guided companies through economic downturns by focusing on key drivers of enterprise value. By achieving revenue and margin goals, these companies emerged stronger and ready to seize new opportunities.

- Assessment Questions:
- What are the primary drivers of our enterprise value?
- How do our current strategies support revenue and margin growth?
- What contingency plans do we have in place for economic downturns?

Through my experiences, I've learned that while each company is unique, the principles of vision, customer insight, people, data, meetings, process, and enterprise value are universal. They form the pillars upon which successful companies are built, and I am privileged to have contributed to guiding many organizations toward success.