The concept of togetherness of Corporate Finance and Strategy in any company I would say is very much like the concept of chickens and eggs on this planet. The reason I say on this planet is because I am not aware of other planets that have chickens and eggs. Even if there are chickens on other planets, eggs might not be the reproduction means of the chicken-like creatures of those planets.

Starting from the mid-1980s, there has been more talk about the missions and visions of organizations. It is not a new concept in business, but it has recently gained popularity in management circles. Most, if not all of the highly successful companies are said to have well-defined missions. Let’s get familiar with them to see if you need one. Where do we get them? What if you still do not have one?

Over several years of working in the financial industry and as a management consultant, I have often been asked by borrowers and clients the question of the right level of ‘debt to equity’ for their companies or new projects. Many were looking for the ‘right’ ratio or hard and fast rules for deciding the figures. My answers were hardly the same every time which often made my assistants, who had been following me to different clients, raise their eyebrows.

Decisions in corporate finance, involve resource allocation; strategy shape companies’ future directions. To be successful in the long run, it is important that resources are allocated to the “right” direction or to the direction we are heading. Undeniably, decisions on these two issues today determine the future of businesses and our lives for years to come.

One of the commonly-held beliefs state that one should avoid the topics of religion or politics where it could create conflicts within a group setting. Because of the potentially polarizing nature of these two highly-charged topics, it’s wise simply to save those conversations for occasions where it isn’t rude to excuse oneself if things get out of hand. Over the years, I have seen countless friendships turn sour simply because their belief systems are ardently opposed when it comes to religion and politics.

Does it sometimes feel like déjà vu when you walk into a meeting at your company? Do you think to yourself, “Hey! I’ve heard this conversation before. Why we are talking about it again?” Is your company tackling the same problems week after week, using the same people, and sitting in the same meeting room?

How often is it that when you rush to finish something, the slower your progress seems to get? There are times, especially when relationships are involved, where when you move slowly, more momentum will build because of how slowly you’re taking things. This situation can also apply to you as a corporate manager trying to achieve a new target or KPI, or even when talking your teenage children into doing something they aren't particularly interested in.

As the world gets more connected and multiple cultures come together to execute across the globe, the way we think and do things continues to evolve. Best practice is contextual and co-created.