VALUE IMPERATIVE : MANAGING FOR SUPERIOR SHAREHOLDER RETURNS

Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Shareholder Value Introduction
Review: A good introduction to shareholder value -- despite its age. If Marakon Associates ever decides to update and revise the edition, I have a few suggestions: (1) add more graphical representations of the concepts, including strategic models; (2) add more case studies to the appropriate sections, and (3) provide a clearer description of the shareholder value calculations (particularly the cost of capital). If these critisisms don't deter you, you'll find "The Value Imperative" to be a helpful guide. As an independent consultant specializing in shareholder value, I would also recommend Young and O'Byrne's "EVA and Value-Based Management" as well as Marin and Petty's "Value Based Management."

Rating:
Summary: Good for understanding how to create shareholder value
Review: Good ideas for day-to-day management to manage value as well as big ideas for strategy. There were interesting section on how budgeting strangles strategic planning and what to do with about it. I think this is a great book for executives managing large companies in mature industries. It shows how to focus on value creation at every level of the organization. It gave advice on how to take action and achieve results.

Rating:
Summary: Good for understanding how to create shareholder value
Review: Good ideas for day-to-day management to manage value as well as big ideas for strategy. There were interesting section on how budgeting strangles strategic planning and what to do with about it. I think this is a great book for executives managing large companies in mature industries. It shows how to focus on value creation at every level of the organization. It gave advice on how to take action and achieve results.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible
Review: I consider this book the bible of all books on value creation and how to achieve it. It is eminently practical and should be on every financial practitioner's bookshelf. I also recommend reading it annually. It is a wonderful compliment to the other value-based managment books in the market which tend to go long on theory. They're also excellent; but this combines value-based managment and strategy superbly.