The private equity edge: how private equity players and the world's top companies build value and wealth / Arthur B. Laffer, William J. Hass, Shepherd G. Pryor.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 393-396) and index.

Value : rules of thumb : simplistic, usable and often wrong -- Wealth, tax rates, and income : leaders who dig deeper can change the world -- Risk : life is not a straight line--the world is not normal -- Incentives : value-based executive compensation leads the way -- Scenarios : options and alternatives can add value -- Speed : the race is to the swift -- Renewal : continuous emphasis on value and customer discipline is critical -- Inflection points : act on insights from the fundamental drivers -- Experimentation and innovation : action accelerates learning -- Summary and conclusions : insight and action give private equity the edge.

The world is changing and has never been more challenging to private equity players, public companies, and investors. With record market volatility and a global economic crisis, decision makers of all types can learn from successful private equity players and other top value builders. Private equity is growing at a rapid rate, with $2.7 trillion in transactions since 2001 and buyouts occurring in every type of market, including declining ones. And now, with the end of investment banks as we know them, the door is open to more opportunities than ever. In The Private Equity Edge, economics giant Arthur B. Laffer, along with value-building experts William J. Hass and Shepherd G. Pryor IV, combines the concepts of intrinsic value, macroeconomics, and incentives into a single strategy used by today's top value builders. You'll learn how to create value while reducing risk by: a) Thoroughly exploring relevant data to quantify ranges of value and risk; b) Anticipating reactions of those whom you seek to influence; c) Exploring possibilities and options before making major decisions; and d) Employing incentive systems that work in both up and down markets.