Integrated Value Management

Rating:
Summary: Strategic Complexity Addressed
Review: Integrated Value Management provides a framewwork for understanding the dynamics underlying value creation and management of both publicly and privately held companies. Many books have been written in recent years regarding facets of value creation (e.g. knowledge capital), however, this is the only book I have found that does not limit itself to one, or best a few, dimensions of value. While conveying a theoretical feeling, Gomez writes the book based on actual experience as a mangement consultant. Therefore, the book maintains a delicate balance between theory and practice, a balance many seek and few master.

Integrated Value Management makes liberal use of insightful graphics that walk the reader through structured applications of the methodology. This approach is both a strength, and a weakness of the book. Many strategy books leave the reader with an empty feeling of "well that was interesting...now where do I start". Rather, Gomez provides an approach for those readers who wish to stick with it that can be utilized as a foundation for strategic thinking.

The foundation of Integrated Value Management is based on a field called System Dynamics, which is the application of advanced techniques to better understand the nature of complex systems. Unfortunately, generations of MBA's have been trained to break down problems through analysis, which too often leaves them not being able to "see the forest for the trees". Gomez's systemic view rather provides insight into the complex web or network of interelated variables that drive behavior of the system. Through these techniques, the practitioner is able to distinguish between controllable and uncontrallable variables, and better focus efforts with results. This systems view of the world can accomodate many perspectives (e.g. financial, operational, environmental, etc.), and thus does not have the built-in limitations of approaches that are based on single disciplines (e.g. cost-accounting). I highly recommend the book for both the serious minded excutive faced with strategic challenges, and the student wishing to learn a new way of understanding and managing strategic complexity.

Rating:
Summary: Strategic Complexity Addressed
Review: Integrated Value Management provides a framewwork for understanding the dynamics underlying value creation and management of both publicly and privately held companies. Many books have been written in recent years regarding facets of value creation (e.g. knowledge capital), however, this is the only book I have found that does not limit itself to one, or best a few, dimensions of value. While conveying a theoretical feeling, Gomez writes the book based on actual experience as a mangement consultant. Therefore, the book maintains a delicate balance between theory and practice, a balance many seek and few master.

Integrated Value Management makes liberal use of insightful graphics that walk the reader through structured applications of the methodology. This approach is both a strength, and a weakness of the book. Many strategy books leave the reader with an empty feeling of "well that was interesting...now where do I start". Rather, Gomez provides an approach for those readers who wish to stick with it that can be utilized as a foundation for strategic thinking.

The foundation of Integrated Value Management is based on a field called System Dynamics, which is the application of advanced techniques to better understand the nature of complex systems. Unfortunately, generations of MBA's have been trained to break down problems through analysis, which too often leaves them not being able to "see the forest for the trees". Gomez's systemic view rather provides insight into the complex web or network of interelated variables that drive behavior of the system. Through these techniques, the practitioner is able to distinguish between controllable and uncontrallable variables, and better focus efforts with results. This systems view of the world can accomodate many perspectives (e.g. financial, operational, environmental, etc.), and thus does not have the built-in limitations of approaches that are based on single disciplines (e.g. cost-accounting). I highly recommend the book for both the serious minded excutive faced with strategic challenges, and the student wishing to learn a new way of understanding and managing strategic complexity.