Evolve to succeed resource centre

Evolve to Succeed Depressed markets and customer sentiment are forcing management to adjust their plans at pace, outside any of the normal planning and strategy cycles. Businesses must tackle issues such as cash management, cost control, and driving value throughout the organisation as a matter of priority.

To assist you in addressing these and other critical issues we have developed this resource centre, which contains insights and strategies developed by Deloitte teams both locally and globally. We hope you find it useful.

View all publications below:

		Global economic outlook: 2nd quarter 2010, A Deloitte research study As the fog lifts over the global economy, a recovery is clearly under way. Strong economic growth is evident in such disparate places as China, the United States, Brazil, Australia, and India. Other markets are growing more slowly, but there is no significant economy on earth that remains clearly in recession. Yet as good news envelopes the globe, new fears emerge.
		Global economic outlook: 4th quarter 2009, A Deloitte research study The year 2009 is coming to a close, arguably none too soon. The year began on the heels of a near breakdown of the financial sector and talk of another Great Depression. Thankfully, the year is ending on a more positive note with economists offering their views on the potential strength of the all but certain recovery.
		Global economic outlook: 3rd quarter 2009, A Deloitte research study Since our last Outlook, much of the public discussion of the global crisis has shifted. In past months, pundits worried about when the economy would bottom out, what policies would cause such an event to transpire, and whether government policymakers were up to the task. Today, the zeitgeist has shifted toward a discussion about the shape of the recovery, whether recovery will bring inflation, and how policymakers will unwind the massive interventions undertaken.
		Global economic outlook: 2nd quarter 2009, A Deloitte research study Since our last outlook in January, the financial crisis has deepened and become a truly global recession, yet there are indications of light at the end of the tunnel.
		Growing in a changing environment: understanding the upside of tax losses Some of the key considerations businesses need to take into account to ensure tax losses can be utilized as a benefit for future growth.
		Talent forum survey: restructuring responsibility The current challenging economic environment has highlighted the need for an effective treasury function that supports the organisation in identifying and mitigating market risks and maximising the effective use of cash.
		Recession: how will you play to win, CFO program brief Case examples provide insights on how companies have implemented strategies to successfully outperform their peers and position themselves for growth and competitive advantage during prior recessions.
		2009 industry outlook: banking & securities, Challenging times, emerging opportunities Five emerging trends indicate a paradigm shift that will affect not only financial institutions but also borrowers, investors and regulators.
		2009 industry outlook: real estate, Challenging times, emerging opportunities Although real estate remains a relatively good investment option, especially in light of the recent volatility of competing asset classes such as stocks and bonds, the real estate sector itself faces several challenges in 2009 that are symptomatic of a general economy in distress.
		Balancing risk and reward in volatile times, Risk intelligence series, Issue No. 14 The concept of risk intelligence has much to offer the process of managing risk under today's challenging conditions.
		Corporate Treasury Solutions - Effective treasury and financial risk management in the current climate The current challenging economic environment has highlighted the need for an effective treasury function that supports the organisation in identifying and mitigating market risks and maximising the effective use of cash.
		Helping companies respond to the new economic environment. Few companies are immune from the effects of the downturn; for many, the downturn means ensuring they adopt the best practice in managing their finances.
		Evolving Models of Retail Banking Distribution. As the recent “Credit Crisis” continues to reshape the global financial services industry, there are many institutions whose major focus remains on quickly adapting their business models to this new environment.
		There is a future for the bank branches. In uncertain times, it is crucial for banks to maintain a competitive market position. This may mean refocusing their customer and channel strategies.
		Turning the Tide - Opportunities for Public Sector organisations in an economic downturn The crisis across financial markets, a downturn in the property sector, and energy and commodities price volatility made 2008 a challenging year. Across the UK's economy, citizens and businesses are now preparing for a difficult and uncertain period.
		The impact of regulation. While the financial industry is still recovering from the tempest that hit in the fall of 2008, initiatives for improving regulation are gaining momentum.
		Profitable Growth in a Changing Global Economy - Surviving and Thriving During a Downturn Almost 400 of Ireland's leading CEOs attended this year's CEO Forum. Now in its 20th year, this year's theme was "Profitable growth in a changing global economy". View the presentations given by Marguerite Larkin, Partner, Deloitte and others in our CEO Forum section.
		Global economic outlook – 1st quarter 2009 Since our last quarterly report, the global economy has stabilised somewhat—albeit at a low and declining level. Stability implies a lack of near daily shocks. It does not imply good times. Although there are no longer daily shocks, there are some shocking things happening. Read more !
		Global Economic Outlook – 4th Quarter 2008 Financial events are moving rapidly and, although we cannot be sure of how things will unfold, with the release of the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Global Economic Outlook 4th quarter report, we hope to provide some perspective regarding the current crisis.
		Management Briefing: Staying ahead of the curve - How to transform your cost base Cost management is high on every business leader’s agenda given current market and economic conditions. This Management Briefing from the Irish practice sets out the best way to achieve a sustainable impact on the cost base, without sacrificing customer loyalty and the long term growth of the business – by redefining the business model, with a clear focus on what your customers value.
		Combat the credit crunch As you adapt your business plans in light of the current economic climate, a review of your tax position could result in significant savings. In addition to realigning your tax approach with your business plans, every area of tax currently paid should be reviewed for opportunities to: • Increase or speed up tax repayments • Reduce or defer tax outgoings As well as improving the cash position of your business, all strategies should deliver earnings benefits – with VAT and PAYE strategies directly increasing pre tax profits.
		Workforce Transition Services Today’s competitive business environment poses many strategic challenges to businesses. As a result,some organisations may need to restructure or reshape their employee profile in order to maintain competitiveness. Such change is difficult to achieve and may sometimes require the introduction of workforce redundancy programme. This brochure outlines how to approach this.
		Breathing room - ten ideas for squeezing more working capital from your supply chain This report looks at both short-term and long-term practices and strategies to consider in minimizing risk and planning for growth in this uncertain time. The report is based on findings from a Deloitte survey that asked supply chain managers throughout Canada how the current credit crisis is affecting their business. Approximately 80% of those surveyed believe that the credit crisis will continue to have a significant impact over the next 12 to 24 months.
		Chief Executive – To Survive or Thrive This CEO Magazine article by Don DeCamara examines the looming performance challenges that are masked during periods of economic boom. The article puts forth a series of strategies for confronting these challenges and cites actual company examples that illustrate enterprise performance during a Downturn.
		Efficiency strategies for the CIO In order to navigate the current downturn, organisations of all sizes are focusing on reducing their cost base. IT plays a key role in most functions within an organisation and is clearly a contributor to cost. In fact research indicates that IT can represent from 15 to 30 percent of an organisation’s cost base.
		Sustaining the Enterprise Early preparations can help companies sustain the enterprise during a period of economic slow-down. Moreover, these steps can help position the organization for renewed growth when the economy rebounds. This concise POV is complementary to the CEO article To Survive or Thrive and introduces Six Strategies for surviving and thriving in the downturn.
		Panic, Turmoil and Rescues: Now what? This CFO Perspective document sets out both the challenges that will forever change how CFOs will access short and long-term capital, as will as the opportunities now presented.
		The Cutting Edge Companies are undertaking cost reduction programme at a rapidly accelerating rate. These programmes are highly disruptive, based on UK experience, and very demanding on resources. This article discusses Deloitte’s perspective on a sustainable approach to reducing costs.
		Changing Your Tune This article expands on the issues raised in The Cutting Edge and discusses some of the key components driving business value and critical success factors to reducing costs.
		Retention Strategies During Difficult Economic Times Many companies are facing particular challenges retaining their valued employees. These companies are searching for ways to help their employees feel valued and motivated while still adhering to their existing compensation philosophies and principles. Deloitte Consulting LLP’s survey was designed to capture ways companies are approaching this problem.
		In fighting shape – cost improvement in Fortune 500 companies This article expands on the findings of the '2008 survey of cost improvement trends in the Fortune 500'. Deloitte conducted a series of in depth interviews with executives from 70 Fortune 500 companies. The aim was to understand and present cost improvement approaches, effective practices, pitfalls, and lessons learned that companies of every shape and size could apply to their situation.
		Breaking Rank This brochure highlights Deloitte's benchmarking capability, and describes how organisations can drive value through Deloitte's Benchmarking Center of Excellence.
		Three steps to sustainable and scalable change (Part I) An effective business model helps define how a company is organized or structured to go to market, interface with stakeholders, and react to externalities. This article, Part 1 of a series, introduces the importance of re-evaluating the Business Model and making adjustments to align with future needs.
		Three steps to sustainable and scalable change (Part II) This document is Part 2 of a series focused on aligning operational governance with the business model. It presents a framework for aligning and improving the way decisions are made and executed, a step companies often overlook.
		Seven Secrets to Downturn Survival Sustainable long term cost improvements need to be approached from a structural and transformational perspective, as incremental “belt-tightening” yields only short-term improvements. This POV examines seven practical tips that will help frame an overall cost improvement approach. In addition, a “leading company” study of the positive relationship between cost improvement and market capitalization is put forth to illustrate the positive impact of these programs on shareholder value.
		Six Sigma's Role in Enterprise Cost Reduction Six Sigma is a disciplined approach to quality improvement. It uses measures to bring organisational processes as close to perfection as possible. This paper discusses how businesses can ferret out structural or out-of-line costs throughout the enterprise, while providing a framework for sustainable improvement.
		HBR – Shaping Strategy in a World of Constant Disruption In this Harvard Business Review article,“Shaping Strategy in a World of Constant Disruption” (October 2008), authors John Hagel III (director, Deloitte Consulting LLP and co-chair, Deloitte LLP's Center for Edge Innovation), John Seely Brown (independent co-chairman, Deloitte LLP's Center for Edge Innovation) and Lang Davison (director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and executive director, Deloitte LLP's Center for Edge Innovation) provide a road map for the daunting task of shaping strategy as technology-driven infrastructures constantly change.
		Preparing for an Economic Storm – How retailers can thrive in challenging times This report provides perspective on the many trends that are creating today’s tough environment and suggests several ways retailers can turn these challenges into opportunities.
		Executive report - magazine for THL industry After a period of record growth, the tourism, hospitality, and leisure industry is now entering more uncertain times. This report focuses on strategies companies can draw on in response to more challenging market conditions and also looks at those emerging global markets that continue to offer fresh growth opportunities.
		Achieving Excellence in Default Management The current environment places a premium on financial institutions having an effective default management operation. Senior management of banks and finance companies should be asking themselves — and be able to answer — a series of important questions about their default management operations. To the extent they do not know the answers to such questions, there likely is a substantial opportunity to enhance their default management operation.
		Mastering Finance in Government This survey of senior government officials representing more than 200 government organisations from 28 countries around the world makes up one of the largest global data sets on financial transformation in the public sector and provides an unprecedented look at the world of government finance. Taken as a whole, the survey tells us that government finance officials must surmount a number of significant, but attainable, hurdles to reach a maturity level that would justify their place at the executive decision-making table.
		Making the most of the economic downturn: Seven Steps states can make today Today’s downturn presents an opportunity to attack both the current crisis and the longstanding structural problems that hobble government operations. Instead of producing “quick fixes,” tough times should be a catalyst for deeper changes that improve long-term prosperity and withstand unpredictable budget cycles and shifting demographics. This report presents seven steps states can take today to seize the opportunity to tackle longstanding structural problems that leave state budgets vulnerable to economic swings and shortchange both taxpayers and benefit recipients.
		Tax Strategies: Corporation Tax \| PAYE \| VAT Many companies are re-assessing their business plans in response to today’s uncertain economic climate. We believe that a review of a company’s tax position can identify significant savings in the form of improved cash tax efficiencies and effective tax rate.We have a range of ideas that cover all taxes, many of which will generate direct above the line benefits.
		Deloitte CFO Survey: Corporates Respond to the Credit Crunch This study provides a perspective on what separates effective and ineffective deal making approaches.
		Mitigating Mortgage Losses Before Loans Become Delinquent This publication illustrates how the science of predictive modelling can help mortgage lenders identify potential losses.
		Triggering the Tax Advantage This report looks at several key areas of a global financial services institution's business and uncovers how tax can play a role in creating immediate value in each area.
		Risk Management in the Age of Structured Products: Lessons Learned for Improving Risk Intelligence This report explores what happened during the recent credit crisis and why.
		Designing a successful ERM function Recent events in the global financial services sectors, including the insurance sector, have offered a harsh reminder of the devastating consequences of financial risk. This Point of View focuses on the governance and structure of an effective Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program. It examines the Risk Management Capability Maturity Model, global regulatory authorities, principles for ERM structure and governance and discusses the next steps to establish or enhance an ERM program.
		Insurance Firms: The Missing Link in the Sovereign Wealth Fund Acquisition Spree This report examines how IFRS may lead executives to reevaluate key areas of their business strategies.
		Reconnecting for Profit: Strategies for Building Sustainable Profits in Wealth Management This report examines the challenges associated with selecting and designing a system that will replace a bank’s complex patchwork of legacy systems.
		Hedging your bets This report provides ten operational hedging strategies for dealing with volatile times in the currency market. The report is based on findings from a Deloitte pulse survey that asked supply chain managers throughout Canada how the currency volatility is affecting their operations. Approximately 56% of those surveyed believe that the Canadian dollar will strengthen in the next 12 months, but nobody can say for sure. In the meantime, companies can explore operational hedging as a way to lessen the impact of a lower dollar.
		More from less At the best of times, CIOs face a number of challenges. Unexpected problems that need immediate attention such as integration problems and mismatched budgets are par for the course. During volatile times, CIOs are expected not only to deal with everyday problems, but also to focus on how they can help drive value to the entire organization with fewer resources. This piece was written to help CIOs do more with less and we’re sure it will provide some great ideas for them to consider.
		See the Bigger Picture Being a CFO in this market just became a lot harder. Global markets have affected every major organization and CFOs need to lead their finance departments to find innovative solutions to conserve cash while planning for future growth. This report outlines what finance organizations can do to adapt to changing financial markets.
		People are at the Heart of Business Success HR departments everywhere are undoubtedly facing a wide range of challenges unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. Not only are they trying to manage talent in an already limited market, they’re now being asked to reduce workforces in cost containment exercises. This piece shows how we can help clients build strong foundations and get more value from the right people in volatile times.
		When CFOs debate It’s tough being a CFO these days. Not only are you dealing with difficult market conditions, but you must also make important decisions concerning all aspects of your business. Our new handbook, When CFOs debate, addresses eight pertinent business issues that CFOs are grappling with and guides you through a point/counterpoint argument for each one. It’s designed to encourage open conversation in your business where you can easily guide others through the decision-making process.
		Government around the world on the edge Governments’ roles will change with the financial crisis. On one hand, governments around the world will expand and broaden their domestic role just as they have done in the past. On the other hand, they will reinforce global interdependence among their economic partners, and will see a renewed tendency toward devolution of state power from the center to the edge, according to the point of view by Greg Pellegrino, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Global Public Sector Leader.
		Strategy Execution - Linking value, metrics and rewards This research piece was launched in conjunction with CFO Research Services to examine how successful companies use performance management to generate value for stakeholders. We conducted in-depth interviews with senior finance executives at more than 25 companies based in North America & Europe to hear their views, practices, and priorities in performance management. These finance executives - as stewards of the finance function, collaborators with the business, and strategic advisors – told us about the broad array of methods they use to ensure their companies deliver the performance their stakeholders demand.
		2008 Survey on the IT-Business Balance Today’s CEO must cooperate with their CIOs to more consciously manage costs, results and risks which can be influenced by IT. Today, CEOs are still insufficiently aware of the added value of strategic cooperation with the IT department in optimally gearing the IT strategy to the business strategy and managing business risks, such as safety, fraud and privacy. This is one of the remarkable findings of Deloitte’s yearly IT Business Balance Survey.
		Seeing the forest from the trees Complexity is a key driver of cost in IT. It is easy to assume that the increasing complexity of IT is a direct result of the increasing complexity of business. But in reality, the drivers of complexity are many and varied and finding a clear route to simplification can prove overwhelming to many CIOs.
		Why settle for less? Outsourcing is increasingly being used to cut IT costs. Although Deloitte’s 2008 outsourcing report found that 89% of outsourcing initiatives are achieving a return on investment of more than 25%, key non-financial benefits are not being realized.
		Getting started with master data management In the face of the downturn and fierce global competition, many companies are striving to hone their information technology (IT) systems to a sharper edge. One way many companies have found to reduce costs, improve business performance management and, thus, operational efficiency, increase revenue, and spur growth is to analyze their enterprise master data and implement a program to standardize, improve, and manage it.