Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

We have a biotech client whose executive leadership team, starting with the CEO, demanded net present value estimates for fledgling, "beginning" ideas.and they wondered why they weren't launching any game-changing innovations.

Process 15

Process Innovation Stage-Gate Net Present Value 15

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 25, 2013

It doesn’t need to be complicated; in one company, a marketing department saved 20 percent after simply benchmarking the money they were spending on external agencies. CFOs are more interested in capital investment estimates, net present values, and a clear outline of the trade-offs of any investment.

CFO 8

CFO Short-term Long-term Benchmarking 8

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 10, 2011

To make sure they're comparing apples to apples, they discount those future cash flows to arrive at their net present value. One of the architects of the survey, Mark Scott, is also one of its beneficiaries.

CAPM 14

CAPM Cost Discounted Cash Flow Cost of Capital 14

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 24, 2011

But why compare apples (book value) to oranges (share price and dividends)? Buffett explains that book value is the best proxy for "intrinsic value," the net present value of all estimated future cash flows. Consider that since 1965, Berkshire's book value grew 434,057% and the S&P index grew only 5,430%.

Letter 15

Letter P&L Net Present Value Insurance 15

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 7, 2011

Anyone who has had to make the argument for an investment knows the basic tool involved: a Net Present Value (NPV) calculation. The overall value of a foreign investment is equal to the NPV of the expected stream of profits for the life of the investment.

NPV 13

NPV Short-term Discount Politics 13

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 18, 2015

For instance, despite the prominent role that discounted cash flow valuation methods play in academic finance courses, few PE investors use discounted cash flow or net present value techniques to evaluate investments. Rather, they rely on internal rates of return and multiples of invested capital.

CAPM 8

CAPM Discounted Cash Flow Company Rate of Return 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 22, 2015

. “It’s one of the more popular ways that managers calculate marketing ROI,” says Avery, pointing out that other common ones include calculating the investment payback period, calculating an internal rate of return, and using net present value analysis.

Payback Period 8

Payback Period Fixed Costs Analysis Price 8