First Friday Book Synopsis

JULY 21, 2011

Grant (Partner, Project Development & Finance Group, Shearman & Sterling) written by Melissa J. Anderson (New York City) for The Glass Hammer, an online community designed for women executives in financial services, law and business. Here is an excerpt from a profile of Denise M.

Hammer 93

Hammer Finance Project Execution 93

Strategy Driven

MAY 17, 2019

In the former case, the owner of the project only has to pay a fixed cost that includes overhead and profit. You may have to send lots of emails and hammer the phones. It will help in absorbing any deviances in a project that result in increased cost. Consider adding an escalation clause in all your projects as well.

Cost 58

Cost Strategy Hammer Fixed Costs 58

Harvard Business Review

APRIL 6, 2018

It happens all the time: A group of managers get together at a resort for two days to hammer out a “strategic plan.” Now to ensure implementation, a strategic planning team must identify some project- or program-level actions. Strategic planning is a journey, not a project. Busá Photography/Getty Images.

Strategic Planning 14

Strategic Planning Planning Objective Seminar 14

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 10, 2011

An executive in the company's finance operations adopted a Six Sigma belt-driven approach to reduce costs in the company's global shared service centers. The firm then tasked each employee with a specific project to cut costs, armed with their tools and training. However, the push approach comes with complications.

Six Sigma 15

Six Sigma Bottom-up Cost Project 15

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 21, 2011

But because we failed to hammer out exactly how we would operate (including our respective roles and responsibilities), infighting distracted from operating, cash became a concern, and the business slowly, then quickly, imploded. As we moved from idea to execution, I asked another friend to take a key role in the project.

Due Diligence 14

Due Diligence Magazine SWOT Christensen 14

Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Or you could participate in projects financed in part by conventional investors and in part by non-profits. If you start seeing everything through the impact investing lens, it starts looking like you have a hammer and everything looks like a nail. Secondly, it’s about combining philanthropic and financial investors.

Insurance 9

Insurance Bond Hedge Bottom-up 9

Chris Brady

FEBRUARY 8, 2010

Government is like a sledge hammer. Many private corporation are building one project to LEED requirements to get certifed by the agency and then they are building all of their other buildings the same way without the LEED stamp of approval. It is only good at one thing, and the use of a sledgehammer is obvious.

Politics 77

Politics Blog Travel Letter 77