Traversing the Avalanche: A practical guide to the implementation of effective governance for SME growth by Carl Bates

When on an expedition to the summit of a great mountain, the last sound you want to hear is the ‘whumph’ under your feet – the tell-tale sign that an avalanche is about to descend. In that moment you realise that the sudden and devastating shift in snow may just destroy you.

In business, an avalanche could be a sudden or unexpected business catastrophe that threatens to destroy everything you have created. Or it could be the potential for disaster that you face when trying to reach the next level of success; a step up that perhaps requires more than you can currently give.

While SMEs and privately-held companies are particularly vulnerable to risks that can result in business disaster, they also have huge potential and opportunities that, if correctly governed, could lead to rapid growth and sustained profitability. The lifeline required to achieve this success? Effective enterprise governance that practically supports the unique requirements of the SME and privately-held company environment.

Traversing the Avalanche takes you on a journey to understand what it means to practically and effectively use the foundations of governance to move through and over the risk of business failure, while maximising the opportunities for increased profitability, improved shareholder value and fundamental and sustainable business growth. Through this book you will develop a deeper understanding of what enterprise governance entails, how to maximise its benefits and who you should take with you on the journey.

About the Author:

Carl Bates is a global entrepreneur, speaker, author, mentor, director and dynamic thought leader. He is considered to be an international expert on business growth and the education and implementation of governance for SMEs and privately-held companies. Carl is an experienced chairman and independent director with great insight into the operation of companies and how they can create long-term value for shareholders and other stakeholders, inspire their teams and deliver effectively for clients. As founder and chief executive of Sirdar Global Group, he is world renowned for his practical understanding of governance and is constantly invited to share his knowledge and insight on the subject.

Testimonials:

“Traversing the Avalanche is a practical guide that should be of great assistance to the shareholders and directors of SMEs and private companies to understand their respective roles.”

Professor Mervyn King SC

“I should have read Carl Bates’ book Traversing the Avalanche before starting out in business. It would have saved me from making so many silly missteps and badly flawed assumptions. You can’t make a success of business by reading a manual on the subject, but you can avoid major pitfalls. Carl Bates helps you skirt them. Read the book… and take a few notes while you’re at it.”

Reg Lascaris, Co-founder of TBWAHuntLascaris and Author of ‘Lessons From the Boot of a Car’