Common sense is key says Krishan

“Strategy has always been integral to the way we do business”

“Any organisation needs to plan ahead and allocate resources accordingly…”

Krishan Balendra – Head of Corporate Finance & Group Strategy at John Keells Holdings – illustrates the importance of corporate strategy in the March issue of pioneering business journal LMD. The JKH Executive Vice-President is featured in the magazine’s ‘Next Generation’ column.

Citing JKH as an example to demonstrate the importance of ‘strategy teams’ in virtually any business, he discloses: “Strategy has always been integral to the way we do business. The strategy team at JKH reports directly to and works closely with the Chairman. We constantly evaluate our portfolio of businesses and invest in industries with growth potential, while also divesting ourselves of businesses that do not fit in with our long-term strategic priorities.”

Strategising, says Balendra, can add value to a business. And he affirms that many projects have been successful “as a result of rigorous strategic planning”. Balendra emphasises: “Any organisation needs to plan ahead and allocate resources accordingly,” he adds.

As for investor relations, he explains that this plays as important a role in determining strategy. It covers interacting with shareholders through periodic investor presentations and meetings, and responding to the numerous queries that are generally received – more often than not, via email – from institutional and individual investors, about the company and its prospects as well as those relating to the country situation and macro environment.

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES: Balendra identifies opportunities that have been created in the private sector and believes that the country is marching forward. He advises businesses to exploit opportunities that arise, citing the example of India’s booming economy as a result of its ability to make capital of a particular situation, LMD reports.

And Balendra predicts that “the 21st century will be India’s century – that is an exciting prospect for Sri Lanka.”

In conclusion, he urges the ‘the next generation’ to “have confidence in yourself and your team, much common sense and a passion for the job at hand”, in order to succeed at whatever they do.