Strategy & Corporate Finance

To an outsider, the world of banking can seem like an enigma. They are the keeper of secrets… Banks provide services for business who want to transact, hedge, lend and invest money. They are huge, complex organisations and you might notice there is a vast selection of products to choose from. Our clients tell us, its hard to get straight answers. Banker on your side helps you navigate your Bank.

Most people would probably say that a great banker is someone who originates and closes the biggest and best deals for the bank, generating significant revenue and enhancing the firm’s brand and reputation. Transaction complexity can usually be solved on the spot. That is a rare thing and a great asset in your corner whether you are fishing or have a whale on the hook. Banker on your side helps you negotiate with your suppliers and customers.

The mindset of a top performing banker fuels the quest to improve and the desire to understand situations not how they are perceived but how they are. They have a need to see the truth, in whatever form it comes in, as they know they are capable of handling whatever may come their way. This provides a unique perspective when pitching to investors and preparing business plans.

There is a direct correlation between financial literacy and business success. Your level of financial literacy affects the speed and success of your growth plans. It is the ability to understand how money works in your business, how you earn it, spend it and invest it to improve your financial position. It affects your ability to borrow money for growth and your relationship with financial lenders.

Building an international business strategy requires the skills necessary to overcome trade barriers and compete in an ever-changing environment. You must plan for any pre-venture or existing business development ideas. You may need specific market research and intelligence, want to access our global network of researchers; international freight forwarders, suppliers, and other professional services to coordinating your workforce and build sustainable growth.

Whether you are seeking to import or export, you will need market development support and access to best practice guidance. In manufacturing, many businesses have already re-shored elements of production, not because of an anti-globalisation backlash but because of rising costs, notably in China. To maximise the opportunities in front of you, new markets, substitute products, or chaos, you must be on the lookout at all times. We have our ear to the ground.

The amount of funds crossing borders is a third of the level seen before the financial crisis, mainly because banks have reined in their lending. But you might not be able to grow without it. Working with Banker on Your Side, applying for finance e.g. overdrafts, trade finance, and foreign exchange facilities (e.g. hedging) with your bank will be straightforward as our bankers know their way around bank lending policies, personas and ever-changing risk appetites within the banking industry.

New technology, products and services have changed the way we do business. Entire industries have arisen and disappeared in a rapidly changing environment that is still accelerating. Quick Professional advice may be what keeps you in front of your competition. Our Partnership with the Institute of Public Accountants and “Professional Assist” is that advantage when dealing with international business challenges.

Internal audit prevents financial mistakes and checks in on company goals, but this can only be done if everyone knows what is expected. If you don’t have policies? Then you should – at least for your core services, and high risks areas, e.g. deliveries, refund or any other contentious areas between departments. It can be as easy as diagrams and flowcharts, it’s up to you!

We check on our health, we service our cars, and if we hear a rattle – check it again. An internal audit’s objective is to ensure that internal policies and procedures are being adhered to and that there’s no rattle. Embracing audits and recognising their role in your business’s success will help build a better culture of accountability and keep everyone on track with your business objectives.

Internal audits don’t just look at your business’s finances, they can examine business operations and management to make sure everything is functioning efficiently and where they are not – fix them, or improve them. This provides opportunities for you to keep improving business processes, investigating new innovations or even further automation.

Nobody should write reports for the sake of writing reports. So much goes unread and this is an unacceptable internal culture if this is happening. However, if this is happening, you have to consider: are the reports understood, the parameters and assumptions set correctly, are managers confident enough to undertake the scrutiny and desire to implement change policies.

Business Capital Investment could be for the expansion into a new product line, a new product market, or an entirely new market. This kind of strategy could, conceivably, change the nature of the business, which often prevents management from exploring this option too far. Opening more stores, or considering franchising; or opening sales offices or plants in other cities, States and Territories, or Countries are all examples of this type of investment.

People are the best part of a business and a good strategy should address who, when, where, how, and how much? Businesses need to be aware of the education, skills, experience and personality type of every employee and determine how they enhance or compliment your business. Then implement a system of up-skilling, training and further education are key to improving, motivating, and retaining your talent – a necessary investment.

Capital Investment could include investing in property (own or rent), technology, plant or equipment. Deciding whether to get additional plant or equipment or when and how to replace worn out plant or equipment is a straight-forward calculation for capital budgeting. There are many capital budgeting methods available in order to evaluate the viability and options of the project, coupled with profit and investment horizons, financing options and cash-flow.

Investing Capital in a merger or acquisition is one of the most exciting, and deeply complex looking for synergies. The benefits of joining forces with another business can be endless, but not always right. Benefits could include economies of scale, new markets, market share and tax benefits. It may also include obtaining quality staff, additional skills, knowledge, know-how, business intelligence or intellectual property and of course reduced costs.