Finance & M&A Strategist with about a decade of experience. I share expert insights into finance, M&A, investment banking - and guides to help you navigate deals and investment strategies.
M&A
For a private company, the decision to go public by issuing shares on a stock exchange is a monumental one. It's a complex process known as an Initial Public Offering (IPO), and it marks a significant transition in a company's life cycle. While the allure of
M&A
Whether advising on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, or other strategic transactions, investment bankers rely on a suite of valuation methodologies to arrive at a supportable price or value for a business. While numerous approaches exist, four methods form the bedrock of most valuation analyses: Discounted Cash Flow, Comparable
Strategy
Elon Musk is known for tackling audacious problems, from building rockets to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. While often portrayed as a visionary reliant on gut instinct, Musk actually employs a rigorous, almost algorithmic approach to engineering, design, and process improvement. He's explicitly shared a 5-step framework
Strategy
Developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, the Six Thinking Hats framework is a powerful tool designed to encourage comprehensive thinking by looking at a problem or decision from multiple distinct perspectives. It's about directing your thinking process. This structured approach is particularly valuable in finance, where decisions often
M&A
Background - Operating as a Holding Company When we think of investing, we often picture asset management firms crafting portfolios of publicly traded stocks and bonds. But then there's Berkshire Hathaway, a colossus that operates on a fundamentally different playing field. While it manages a vast pool of
Strategy
Developed by military strategist John Boyd, the OODA loop is a decision-making framework that emphasizes rapid and effective decision-making in unpredictable environments. What is the OODA Loop? OODA stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. It's a cycle that businesses can use to gain a competitive edge by
Strategy
For any business, understanding its internal workings – the financials, operations, and team – is undoubtedly crucial. However, a business does not exist in a vacuum. Its success is profoundly influenced by the external environment in which it operates. This is where industry analysis comes in, providing the vital context needed for
Strategy
New ideas come to mind everyday. The real challenge lies in identifying which of these ideas will actually move the needle and allocating your limited resources to them effectively. This is where prioritization frameworks come in, providing a structured way to evaluate opportunities and make informed decisions. One simple yet
Strategy
Often, the immediate, intended outcome of a decision is clear. Lowering a price might boost sales today; investing in new equipment might increase capacity this quarter. However, truly effective business planning and insightful advisory go beyond the immediate effect to consider the subsequent effects – the downstream consequences and wider implications
Strategy
It's easy to get caught up in the immediate. We see a stock price drop and panic sell, or hear about a hot new trend and jump in headfirst. This is often the result of first-order thinking: a straightforward, immediate reaction to an event or situation. First-order thinking
Strategy
Success is rarely a smooth, predictable journey. Companies constantly face a myriad of potential challenges that can impact their operations, profitability, and even survival. Identifying these business risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies is not just good practice – it's essential for long-term resilience and growth. This post explores
Strategy
We often make decisions based on what others are doing or what we've always been told. But what if there was a more effective way? First principles thinking. Inspired by thinkers like Aristotle and popularized by modern innovators like Elon Musk, first principles thinking is about deconstructing complex