Strategy, Finance and Sustainable Value Creation

Book excerpt: Strategy and finance are generally viewed as two separate subjects. Once regarded with fascination, they have become the subject of strong criticism, the first considered too theoretical and long term to be of any use and the second too speculative and short term to contribute to value creation. This book argues, however, that strategy and finance are in fact value twins, both of which need a thorough overhaul, from their toolkits to their end goals. The author contends that we rely on strategic and financial frameworks that were developed decades ago, but, in an increasingly complex and risky environment, these need to undergo a profound transformation, one that follows an intertwined approach, enabling companies to achieve the twin goals of value creation and sustainability consistently and successfully. The book provides a fresh and innovative view of strategy and finance. It discusses the concept of strategy extensively, examining its history, application, and importance in modern business. It also explores how strategy has evolved and how it can be adapted to better serve companies in a rapidly changing business landscape. The book emphasizes the role of finance in corporate strategy, suggesting that it is a crucial element in achieving sustainable business success, and explores how financial tools and concepts can be integrated with strategic planning to drive growth and value creation. Further, it investigates how strategic and financial planning can be used to manage business risks effectively. Readers are given useful insights via the inclusion of case studies from numerous industries, including corporations, banks, and wealth and asset managers; these real-world examples serve to close the gap between theory and practice.