From time to time we publish new and interesting articles, which are available here for you to download as pdf files. We respectfully request that you register with us in order to access them.

Developing value-based strategies (article)

Companies face ever increasing regulation and stakeholder scrutiny whilst internally, integrated value chains are fragmenting into complex webs of relationships. Strategy and finance theory and practice have been evolving to confront these challenges; but too slowly - and in different directions.

Since Porter’s seminal work in the 1980’s, strategy has meandered– e.g. business excellence, TQM, BPR, core competencies, balanced scorecards, VBM, blue oceans. Whereas all these tools have a place, it is no wonder that managers are now confused about what strategy actually comprises – and how it is to be applied in practice. Strategy needs a new ‘integrating philosophy’.

Finance by contrast has developed rigorous mathematical approaches to value and risk management but, in the process, has become less transparent to the layman-manager. Advanced financial tools are no substitute for sound business planning. Finance needs to become more integrated with the underlying strategy and structure of the business. 

Strategy and finance operate with completely different mindsets but the two disciplines need each other as never before – and both disciplines need to be more accessible to a wider range of managers and stakeholders.

Register/login to download

Real options valuation (white paper)

Financial options have revolutionised decision making in capital markets. The challenge is for ROV to achieve the same status in the commercial market place. 

 However, in the real world - companies have to make strategic decisions based on the deployment of real resources over time - in complex organisational and market environments.  

 Although conceptually similar, there the practical analogy with financial options ends.

Major practical ROV problems occur in three areas: 

• ‘Framing’ decision options      
• Implementing strategic options
• Communicating to stakeholders. 

There is a major academic, educational and commercial opportunity for a method and toolset that provides a solution to these problems.

Register/login to download