A short presentation of S@R

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series A short presentation of S@R

 

My general view would be that you should not take your intuitions at face value; overconfidence is a powerful source of illusions. Daniel Kahneman (“Strategic decisions: when,” 2010)

Most companies have some sort of model describing the company’s operations. They are mostly used for budgeting, but in some cases also for forecasting cash flow and other important performance measures. Almost all are deterministic models based on expected or average values of input data; sales, cost, interest and currency rates etc. We know however that forecasts based on average values are on average wrong. In addition deterministic models will miss the important uncertainty dimension that gives both the different risks facing the company and the opportunities they produce.

S@R has set out to create models (See Pdf: Short presentation of S@R) that can give answers to both deterministic and stochastic questions, by linking dedicated EBITDA models to holistic balance simulation taking into account all important factors describing the company. The basis is a real balance simulation model – not a simple cash flow forecast model.

Generic Simulation_model

Both the deterministic and stochastic balance simulation can be set about in two different alternatives:

  1. by a using a EBITDA model to describe the companies operations or,
  2. by using coefficients of fabrications  as direct input to the balance model.

The first approach implies setting up a dedicated ebitda subroutine to the balance model. This will give detailed answers to a broad range of questions about operational performance and uncertainty, but entails a higher degree of effort from both the company and S@R.

The use of coefficients of fabrications and their variations is a low effort (cost) alternative, using the internal accounting as basis. This will in many cases give a ‘good enough’ description of the company – its risks and opportunities: The data needed for the company’s economic environment (taxes, interest rates etc.) will be the same in both alternatives.

EBITDA_model

In some cases we have used both approaches for the same client, using the last approach for smaller daughter companies with production structures differing from the main companies.
The second approach can also be considered as an introduction and stepping stone to a more holistic EBITDA model.

What problems do we solve?

  • The aim regardless of approach is to quantify not only the company’s single and aggregated risks, but also the potential, thus making the company capable to perform detailed planning and of executing earlier and more apt actions against risk factors.
  • This will improve stability to budgets through higher insight in cost side risks and income-side potentials. This is achieved by an active budget-forecast process; the control-adjustment cycle will teach the company to better target realistic budgets – with better stability and increased company value as a result.
  • Experience shows that the mere act of quantifying uncertainty throughout the company – and thru modelling – describe the interactions and their effects on profit, in itself over time reduces total risk and increases profitability.
  • This is most clearly seen when effort is put into correctly evaluating strategies-projects and investments effects on the enterprise. The best way to do this is by comparing and choosing strategies by analysing the individual strategies risks and potential – and select the alternative that is dominant (stochastic) given the company’s chosen risk-profile.
  • Our aim is therefore to transform enterprise risk management from only safeguarding enterprise value to contribute to the increase and maximization of the firm’s value within the firm’s feasible set of possibilities.

References

Strategic decisions: when can you trust your gut?. (2010). McKinsey Quarterly, (March)

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About the Author

S@R develops models for support of decision making under uncertainty. Taking advantage of recognized financial and economic theory, we customize simulation models to fit specific industries, situations and needs.

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  2. I think I found your materials great as a researcher.

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