Strategy briefing – Advisors: Value Adding or Expensive Self Interest?

When Fred Goodwin spent £71bn of Royal Bank of Scotland’s money on ABN-AMRO in 2007 this was quite possibly the worst acquisition ever made. Although many would argue that the competition is particularly high in this respect! The acquisition effectively bust the bank, requiring the British Government to rescue it. Before doing the deal, Fred …

Strategy briefing – Transient or Turbulent: Does it Really Matter?

The life span and volatility of a particular industry will provide some clues as to the strategic approach which may be appropriate for competing businesses. This article considers transient and turbulent industries and the extent and circumstances of financially engineered risk which a business should carry. I also relate my own recent strategic experience of …