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Corporate Development function services - Ernst & Young - Australia

Supporting corporate development

It is hard to imagine a more challenging environment for corporate development. The turbulence in the financial markets has made access to capital extremely difficult, with the terms on which capital is available becoming onerous. This volatility of financial markets makes it all but impossible to make sensible forecasts and many companies are very much focusing on survival rather than growth.  However there are still market growth opportunities for those prepared to seize the moment; any company with access to capital will be in a strong position to make value-enhancing acquisitions.

In this rapidly changing market, the corporate development functions and corporate development officers (CDOs) are more crucial than ever.  CDOs are becoming effective strategic advisors to their boards, actively managing portfolios, divesting non-core assets on accelerated timelines and pursuing acquisitions to transform their market share.  CDOs will need to adapt their current practices and develop new ones.

We understand the importance of supporting corporate development officers and other leading executives in navigating through transaction strategy and execution. Our priority is to provide you with the insight, experience and knowledge you need in these challenging times to help you balance your short term needs with your long term aspirations.

10 CDO imperatives

  1. Respond to signs of organisational stress
  2. Actively assess your portfolio for strategic fit
  3. Prepare your team to divest non-core assets
  4. Manage transaction risk
  5. Build strategic relationships with alternative capital providers
  6. Evaluate new deal and financing structures
  7. Create more transparency of information to satisfy buyers, investors and financiers
  8. Pursue strategic acquisitions that can significantly enhance your market share and geographic footprint
  9. Build a strong investment case and infrastructure to do deals quickly – both buy and sell side
  10. Assess the impact of the regulatory environment
The leading edge - July 2009

In the July 2009 edition of The leading edge (pdf, 2.4mb)  we discuss the current opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the uncertain transaction environment, as well as examine the new drivers of M&A activity. We also acknowledge other key business considerations beyond the financial crisis; carbon regulation modelling, infrastructure at home and abroad and workforce challenges in Australia’s healthcare sector. Subscribe to The leading edge.

What's next for corporate development? Opportunity and risk in the financial crisis

What's next for corporate development? Opportunity and risk in the financial crisis (pdf, 638kb), a joint study by Ernst & Young and Oxford Analytica, focuses on the impact the financial crisis is having on merger and acquisition activity, assessing the implications for corporates and providing insights into how Corporate Development Officers can optimise their activities to address tomorrow’s challenges today.

The leading edge - December 2008

Companies are facing a time of great volatility as the world struggles with certainly the most complex and possibly the worst financial crisis in history. But in these uncertain times, there are unusual opportunities to gain competitive advantage. In the December 2008 edition of The leading edge (pdf, 1.06mb), we discuss market conditions and financial trends in both the domestic and global transactions arena. Subscribe to The leading edge.

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