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Australian Venture Capital: the worst of times – or best of times?
The Australian venture capital fundraising environment is tough right now – according to recent numbers from the AVCAL 2010 Yearbook, total Australian VC commitments were down by half during 2010, with Australian VCs raising $168 million in new commitments during the year. In keeping with the experience of most other countries around the world as.. read more →
How strategy consultants can help bankers grow their businesses
One of the roles that Morgan Cradock serves is not just a corporate advisor to our growing client base on transactions, but also in helping bankers increase their loanbook to lower risk customers. By helping our clients navigate the complexities of raising capital to finance dramatic growth, organically or by acquisition, we also help bankers.. read more →
Organisational archaeology – find buried treasure
Acquiring an SME or restructuring an existing company can be an exercise similar to archaeology – it’s like digging for “buried treasure.” When re-evaluating an organisation’s strategic options or setting a new direction for an organisation after a merger, there might be valuable processes or ideas “buried in the layers” of how things were done.. read more →
Intangibles of Strategic Leadership
For most companies, growth is a matter of leadership. Companies with great leaders are likely to achieve higher profits, better margins, bigger market share, and lasting value. But what makes an effective leader? Are leaders born or made? Is leadership something that is easy to quantify or is it harder to place? Effective strategic leadership.. read more →
Does Australia need a new economic growth strategy?
Most recent news coverage of the Australian economy has been generally optimistic – in general, Australia has weathered the global recession and the Australian housing market is still strong. But one note of caution is that Australia is so reliant upon natural resources for much of its recent economic growth. Whilst Australia is currently benefiting.. read more →
Americans are coming: What can we learn about strategy from the influx of American investment in Australia?
Many well-known American brands – including Costco (retail), Gap (clothing), Carl’s Jr. (fast food), and TCBY (frozen yoghurt) are establishing a first-time presence in Australia. There are various strategic considerations driving each of these companies’ expansions into Australia, but there are some common principles here that illustrate some good points and lessons about strategy. What.. read more →
How to create a “living strategy” for your company
Strategy is often thought of as being a “high level” activity that is too often disconnected from the daily life of the organisation. “It’s all fine and good to think lofty thoughts,” a critic might say, “but what about those of us down on the ground, doing the actual work?” A common misconception about strategy.. read more →
Acquisitions self-assessment: How good are you at handling acquisitions?
Company managers often over-estimate their own skill in making successful acquisitions. The truth is that acquisitions require a specialised skill set and contain different nuances than most managers’ typical work day. Being successful in running a company does not guarantee success in evaluating, valuing, negotiating, and most of all, integrating an acquired firm. Use this.. read more →
Morgan Cradock’s 5 Gs: right reasons to make an SME acquisition
It’s easy to talk about all the ways in which mergers and acquisitions can go wrong – but what about the ones that succeed? What are the “right reasons” to make an acquisition? It all comes down to “the five Gs.” Get bigger: Acquisitions can make your organisation grow faster than organic growth alone. Geography:.. read more →
5 SMEs to avoid acquiring
70% of all mergers fail to realise the intended benefits. All too often, the best deals are the ones you don’t do. What are some of the typical SMEs that firms should avoid acquiring? And how can you tell the difference? Here are five types of SMEs to avoid acquiring. If you steer clear of.. read more →