Company culture: setting the right tone
- Article
- 13 Mar 2023
Meet four experienced board members who all understand the power of a strong culture for any organisation to achieve its long-term goals.
Exam guides: the inside track on… Corporate Reporting, Strategic Business Management and Case Study
- Article
- 07 Dec 2022
In the last of our series of guides, tutors share their insights on the Advanced Level Corporate Reporting, Strategic Business Management and Case Study exams.
Starting a £100m business from scratch: Guy Singh-Watson, Riverford
- Article
- 05 Dec 2022
The second of four films showcasing board members’ stories and how they ensure a long-term focus for their companies.
Stewarding a firm through the biggest decisions: Graeme Pitkethly, Unilever
- Article
- 01 Dec 2022
The third of four films showcasing board members’ stories and how they ensure a long-term focus for their companies
Exam guides: the inside track on… Business Strategy and Technology, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Business Planning
- Article
- 07 Nov 2022
In the fourth of our series of guides, tutors share their insights on the Professional Level Business Strategy and Technology, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Business Planning exams.
A scenario planning guide for boards
- Article
- 07 Oct 2022
To conduct rich and engaging strategic conversations with the executive team in a world of deep uncertainties and surprises, boards are helped by using scenario planning.
How scenarios help navigate an uncertain world
- Article
- 07 Oct 2022
Running the Shell Scenarios team from 2006 to 2022, Jeremy Bentham played a key role in identifying the risks and opportunities facing the energy giant.
Navigating change to stay ahead
- Article
- 07 Oct 2022
While all businesses may follow a set long-term strategy, they must be ready to navigate major change when the need arises, and then prepare again for further change in the future.
Reports
Exclusive
SR72 The aspiring CFO
- Report
- 2021
- PDF (1,950kb)
A practical, realistic, hands-on and immense learning opportunity of all you need to know to become the CFO
Exclusive
Platform businesses: A Guide
- Helpsheets and support
- 2021
This guide explores the characteristics of platform businesses and the importance of different aspects of trust in making them work. It concludes with five actions that will help you consider the opportunities they provide.
Exclusive
Business Ecosystems: A Guide
- Report
- 2021
The term ecosystem is regularly bandied about in business conversations. But what does it mean and is it a useful metaphor for improving business performance?
Exclusive
The CFO and Strategy
- Report
- 2020
Our first report explores the nature of strategy, particularly how CFOs balance planning and opportunism. We then consider the various aspects of the CFO's role in strategy.
Exclusive
Special Report 68: Commercial Insight
- Report
- 2020
- PDF (1,761kb)
This special report explores how to be more commercial to add value and generate profit for your firm.
Exclusive
Special Report 65 - Smart Reporting
- Report
- 2019
- PDF (1,597kb)
This special report will be a handy go-to guide – we take you through the latest techniques and thinking behind the new smart world with which CFOs, and aspiring CFOs, must contend.
Exclusive
Special Report 64: Managing People
- Report
- 2019
- PDF (1,487kb)
Managing people is one of the most important skills needed to successfully navigate your way to the top of the corporate ladder. This report provides practical tips and advice on topics such as team management, dealing with difficult people and the effect of technology on recruitment.
Exclusive
Special Report 63: Innovation
- Report
- 2018
- PDF (1,674kb)
Innovation is key to improving productivity and efficiency. This report covers the subject with practical and interesting articles.
Strategy tools
Exclusive
PESTEL - what is it and how to apply it to your business strategy
- Article
Ensure your strategy takes into account the political, economic, societal, technological, environmental and legal context.
Exclusive
Resource Based View of the Firm
- Article
Do your internal resources give you a competitive advantage?
Exclusive
Success Mapping
- Article
Systematically discuss how you will achieve your strategic objectives
Exclusive
SWOT
- Article
Make the most of analysing your organisation’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Webinars
Strategic thinking for senior professionals
- Webinar
- 29 Sep 2020
Find out what the three core questions of strategy are and the common pitfalls to avoid in addressing them.
Statistics for business - How do I know if my trend is a mirage
- Webinar
- 29 Mar 2017
Nigel Marriott explains the principles of hypothesis testing to help you quantify the risks of incorrect decisions.
Training courses
CPD courses: strategy and risk
Explore ICAEW CPD courses covering strategy and risk, across virtual, in-person and elearning options.
Browse courses 
The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive
Essential reads on family offices
- eBook
- 2023
- Globe Law and Business Ltd.
- Globe Law and Business Ltd.
Contains articles from 'The International Family Offices Journal' focusing on three key themes: family office profiles (learn about unique structure, outlooks and best practices); family governance (understand principles and practices of family governance which is critical for preserving family harmony and ensuring the long term success of the family office); and NextGen and succession (exploring how to successfully transition family wealth and leadership to the next generation).
Exclusive
Practical sustainability strategies: how to gain a competitive advantage
- eBook
- 2020
- George P. Nassos, Nikos Avlonas
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Contains guidance on sustainability strategies and tools to improve competitive business advantage.
Exclusive
Exploring strategy
- eBook
- 2017
- Gerry Johnson, Richard Whittington, Patrick Regnér, Kevan Scholes, and Duncan Angwin
- Pearson Education Limited
This book has long been the essential strategy text for managers of today and tomorrow. From entrepreneurial start-ups to multinationals, charities to government agencies, this book raises the big questions about organisations- how they grow, how they innovate and how they change.
Exclusive
Building a resilient organisation
- eBook
- 2014
- James Crask, Charley Newnham, Jack Armstrong, Paul Robertson
- ICSA Publishing
How to build a prosperous and sustainable business.
Exclusive
Professional services marketing: how the best firms build premier brands, thriving lead generation engines, and cultures of business development success
- eBook
- 2013
- Mike Schultz, John Doerr
- John Wiley and Sons
Guide to marketing from a US perspective.
Exclusive
Strategic cost analysis
- eBook
- 2012
- Roger Hussey, Audra Ong
- Business Expert Press
Cost analysis for managers, from an American perspective.
Terms of use
You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.
The Library provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive
Data management trends: privacy, security and AI
- Article
- 29 Jul 2024
- Gary L Boomer
This article discusses the importance of data management for accountancy firms, focusing on the trends of privacy, security, and artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights the challenges posed by cyberthreats and regulatory requirements, emphasizing the need to prioritize privacy and security measures. The article suggests strategies such as data encryption, cybersecurity measures, and staff training to enhance data management. It also recommends leveraging AI tools for automation, predictive analytics, and data visualization.
Exclusive
AI in retail: Cutting-edge solutions for modern challenges
- Article
- 16 Jul 2024
- Shelby Hiter
In today's hyper-competitive retail landscape, retailers are increasingly using AI to gain advantage. AI can enhance retail operations in a growing number of ways including boosting customer engagement, improving sales and marketing strategies, optimising inventory management, streamlining supply chains and providing advanced data analytics and insights. A range of AI tools and technologies for retailers are explored with examples of how leading brands are using AI.
Exclusive
Leading remote or hybrid teams
- Article
- 01 Nov 2023
- David J.Elrod
Leaders need to take special care to communicate effectively with remote or hybrid team members, says David J.Elrod. The article runs
through useful methods of communication and emphasises the need to provide clarity on strategic plans and priorities and give regular feedback.
Exclusive
Reimagine how you recruit and train managers
- Article
- 01 Nov 2023
Traditionally companies focus on skill and development programs to help prepare their managers, but a Gartner study suggests that a fundamental shift in the managerial pipeline is crucial. The study recommends a better selection process, where employees can nominate themselves for managerial roles, preventing biases and diversifying the pipeline. Training programs should prepare aspiring managers for the complexities of the role, focusing on issues like pay equity, remote work and redundancies.
Exclusive
Navigating AI: a pragmatic guide for corporate boards
- Article
- 01 Oct 2023
- Chris Smith
The article focuses on how the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors is compelling boards to redefine their roles in providing oversight and guidance on AI strategy and risk management. It emphasizes the importance of a human-centred approach to AI, aligning strategic decisions with an organization's mission and values, addressing ethical dilemmas, intellectual property concerns, and privacy challenges.
Exclusive
Innovative processes in finance and accounting
- Article
- 01 Oct 2023
- Vineet Jain
Adopting innovative technologies can lead to streamlined processes, real-time insights, and increased focus on strategic planning, says Vineet Jain CA. The article looks at innovation in the record-to-report (R2R), accounts payable and procure-to-pay processes and the potential for automated tools to assist with these tasks. Finally, important challenges associated with AI and other innovative technologies and skill sets which forward-thinking finance and accounting professionals should develop are covered.
Online magazines
Some online journal titles are available only to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. To view the full range of titles available to you, please log in.
Strategic Risk
- Website
- Newsquest Media Group
Risk management journal focused on Europe. Includes breaking news, comment and analysis.
Disclaimer
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.
Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection
The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on corporate strategy and planning. Use the links below to see what we have available to request in our Library catalogue (Libcat).
Business model innovation: a blueprint for strategic change
- Library book
- 2024
- C. Velu
- Cambridge University Press
This book identifies new business models capable of creating sustainable competitive advantage, and guides readers through their implementation. The author sets out numerous real-world examples which illustrate key issues.
The good governance guide to strategy
- Library book
- 2021
- M.Wearden
- CGI Publishing
This book looks in detail at strategic planning and management. It also zooms out to highlight the importance of environment, organisational culture and governance structures to a successful strategy. With in-depth analysis of the theory behind strategic development as well as lots of practical advice and tips, it aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to take your strategic thinking to the next level.
Strategy: an international perspective
- Library book
- 2020
- B. De Wit
- Cengage Learning EMEA
This book covers the many perspectives in the field of corporate strategy, navigating readers through contrasting viewpoints to encourage discussion and debate.
Directors' checklists
- Library book
- 2020
- M.Wearden
- ICSA Publishing
An easy-to-use A-Z guide to the key tasks and responsibilities of a director. It is designed for quick reference, with each entry including an introduction and explanation, a checklist of points to consider, procedures to follow and cross-references to relevant legislation and regulation.
The pioneering practice: The 9 key strategies for your accounting practice to stand out and build lucrative relationships
- Library book
- 2018
- A.C.Watts
- CreateSpace
A step-by-step guide to the nine key marketing strategies your practice needs for success.
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.
External resources
Creating a valuable business
- Website
- Atom Content Marketing
A LawDonut guide to making strategic decisions that can help create and maintain a valuable business. Running a business often involves reacting to circumstances, making minor decisions that have a limited, short-term impact. In contrast, creating a valuable business is about taking strategic decisions that have a lasting effect.
Your sales strategy
- Website
- Atom Content Marketing
A MarketingDonut guide to creating a sales strategy. Your sales strategy identifies which customers your business is targeting, it specifies how you will reach them and it outlines how you will convince them to buy from you.
Get key business strategies right
- Website
- Atom Content Marketing
A Start-up Donut guide to mastering key business strategies. Business owners must remain focused on the key issues that ultimately determine success or failure. With dozens of different tasks competing for your time, you need to identify activities that will make a real difference to long-term success.
Terms of use
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.
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