Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Value Based Management for Agribusiness in North America


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Value Based Management to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A mid-sized agribusiness firm faced challenges in aligning its operations with Value Based Management principles, resulting in suboptimal shareholder returns despite steady market demand. The successful implementation of a tailored Value Based Management framework improved strategic clarity and financial performance, achieving a 65% better alignment between executive actions and shareholder interests.

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Consider this scenario: A mid-sized agribusiness firm in North America is struggling to align its operations with the principles of Value Based Management.

Despite steady market demand, the company's value creation efforts are not translating into expected shareholder returns. The leadership team is challenged by the complexity of agricultural value chains and the difficulty of implementing a consistent Value Based Management framework across diverse business units. The organization seeks to refine its strategic focus, enhance decision-making processes, and improve overall financial performance.



Upon reviewing the provided information, it seems the organization's inability to effectively apply Value Based Management principles could be stemming from an unclear strategic alignment or inadequate performance measurement systems. Another hypothesis is that the organization may be facing challenges in embedding a value-oriented culture throughout the organization, which is critical for Value Based Management success.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The organization can benefit from a proven 5-phase Value Based Management methodology that enhances strategic clarity, financial performance, and shareholder value. This systematic approach is akin to those followed by leading consulting firms.

  1. Assessment of Current State: Evaluate existing Value Based Management practices, financial performance, and strategic alignment. Key questions include: How is value currently measured and managed? What are the existing barriers to value creation?
  2. Strategic Refinement: Align the organization’s strategy with value creation goals. This phase involves setting clear value-based metrics and identifying strategic initiatives that drive value. Key activities include stakeholder analysis and strategic objective setting.
  3. Performance Management System Design: Develop a robust performance management framework that supports Value Based Management. This phase focuses on defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and setting up reporting mechanisms.
  4. Cultural Alignment: Embed a value-oriented culture through leadership engagement and change management techniques. Activities include training, communication, and reward system alignment.
  5. Continuous Improvement and Monitoring: Establish processes for ongoing evaluation and refinement of Value Based Management practices. This involves regular reporting, analysis, and strategic reviews.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Value Based Management best practices:

Value Creation Framework Series: Primer (28-slide PowerPoint deck)
Value Based Management Tools (55-slide PowerPoint deck)
Value Based Management (VBM) (22-slide PowerPoint deck)
Value Creation Framework Series: Corporate Center Practices (22-slide PowerPoint deck)
Value Creation Framework Series: Direct Levers (31-slide PowerPoint deck)
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Value Based Management Implementation Challenges & Considerations

Executives may question the adaptability of the Value Based Management framework to the unique complexities of the agricultural sector. The methodology is designed to be flexible, allowing for customization to address industry-specific challenges and leverage unique opportunities.

The anticipated business outcomes include improved decision-making processes, increased financial transparency, and enhanced shareholder value. The organization can expect to see a more disciplined capital allocation and a stronger alignment between strategy and value creation.

Potential implementation challenges include resistance to change, especially in an industry with traditional practices, and the need for comprehensive data systems to support new performance metrics.

Value Based Management KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Tell me how you measure me, and I will tell you how I will behave.
     – Eliyahu M. Goldratt

  • Economic Value Added (EVA): Important for measuring the value created over and above the cost of capital.
  • Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): Essential to understand how effectively the organization is using its capital to generate profits.
  • Cost Efficiency Ratios: Provide insights into the operational efficiency and can drive cost-saving initiatives.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

During the implementation, the importance of leadership commitment became evident. Firms that successfully implement Value Based Management often have a strong leadership team that champions the initiative. According to McKinsey, companies with committed leadership are 33% more likely to achieve sustained, long-term value creation.

Value Based Management Deliverables

  • Value Based Management Framework (PowerPoint)
  • Strategic Alignment Plan (PowerPoint)
  • Performance Management System Design (Excel)
  • Culture Change Roadmap (PDF)
  • Value Creation Progress Report (MS Word)

Explore more Value Based Management deliverables

Value Based Management Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Value Based Management. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Value Based Management subject matter experts.

Value Based Management Case Studies

One notable case study involves a global food and beverage company that applied a Value Based Management approach to redirect its portfolio strategy, which resulted in a 20% increase in EVA within two years. Another case features a multinational agribusiness that implemented a performance management system aligned with Value Based Management principles, leading to a 15% improvement in ROIC.

Explore additional related case studies

Aligning Value Based Management with Corporate Strategy

Integrating Value Based Management (VBM) with a company's overarching corporate strategy is essential. A common concern is how to ensure that VBM principles are not just a set of financial metrics but are embedded into the strategic planning and execution process. To achieve this, companies must articulate a clear value proposition and align every business unit and function with this value-centric approach. This includes setting strategic objectives that are directly linked to value creation and ensuring that every initiative has a clear line of sight to these objectives.

Furthermore, the organization must establish a governance structure that reinforces VBM principles. This may involve creating a dedicated VBM office or integrating VBM responsibilities into existing roles. According to a report by PwC, companies that have a well-defined governance structure in place are better positioned to sustain value over the long term, as it promotes consistency in decision-making and accountability.

Performance Metrics and Incentive Structures

Another critical element of successful VBM implementation is the development of appropriate performance metrics and incentive structures. The executive team must identify and agree upon a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) that accurately reflect value creation and are tailored to the company's specific context. These KPIs should be used to set targets, measure progress, and drive behavior throughout the organization. It is also important to align incentive structures with these KPIs to ensure that employee and management behaviors are focused on long-term value creation.

According to a study by BCG, companies that align incentives with value creation can see a significant impact on their performance. For instance, when incentives are linked to long-term value drivers, such as EVA or ROIC, companies can achieve up to a 65% better alignment between executive actions and shareholder interests.

Change Management and Cultural Transformation

Adopting VBM often requires a significant cultural shift within the organization. Executives might be concerned about how to manage this change effectively to ensure buy-in at all levels. A successful cultural transformation starts with clear communication from the top, explaining the rationale behind VBM and how it will benefit the organization and its stakeholders. Leaders must be visible champions of the change, demonstrating their commitment through their actions and decisions.

Additionally, it is crucial to provide training and development programs that equip employees with the skills and knowledge needed to operate within a VBM framework. As reported by McKinsey, organizations that invest in capability building at the time of a major transformation are 2.5 times more likely to succeed in sustaining the change.

Adapting VBM to Industry-Specific Challenges

Executives in specialized industries, such as agribusiness, may be concerned about the applicability of VBM to their unique challenges, such as the impact of external factors like weather or commodity prices on value creation. To address this, VBM must be tailored to the industry context, taking into account the specific drivers of value and risks inherent to the sector. This might involve developing specialized metrics or adapting existing ones to better capture the nuances of the industry.

For instance, agribusiness firms might consider metrics that focus on sustainable practices and resource efficiency, given the increasing importance of sustainability in value creation. Accenture's research highlights that companies focused on sustainability-related innovations can tap into a potential market opportunity of $12 trillion by 2030, as they align with shifting consumer and regulatory preferences.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Implemented a Value Based Management framework that improved strategic clarity and financial performance.
  • Established key performance indicators (KPIs) including Economic Value Added (EVA) and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.
  • Aligned incentive structures with long-term value creation KPIs, resulting in a 65% better alignment between executive actions and shareholder interests.
  • Conducted comprehensive training and development programs, significantly improving the organization's capability to sustain cultural change towards value orientation.
  • Customized the Value Based Management approach to address agribusiness-specific challenges, focusing on sustainability and resource efficiency.
  • Created a governance structure that reinforced Value Based Management principles, promoting consistency in decision-making and accountability.

The initiative to implement Value Based Management (VBM) in the mid-sized agribusiness firm has been largely successful. The establishment of clear KPIs and the alignment of incentive structures with these KPIs have significantly improved decision-making processes and operational efficiency. The 65% improvement in aligning executive actions with shareholder interests is particularly noteworthy, as it directly translates to enhanced shareholder value. The success of the initiative is also evident in the effective adaptation of VBM to the unique challenges of the agribusiness sector, focusing on sustainability and resource efficiency. However, the journey was not without its challenges, particularly in managing the cultural shift required for VBM adoption. Despite these challenges, the comprehensive training and development programs have laid a strong foundation for sustaining the change.

For next steps, it is recommended that the firm continues to refine and adapt its Value Based Management framework to further align with evolving industry challenges and opportunities. This includes ongoing evaluation and refinement of KPIs to ensure they remain relevant and effective in driving value creation. Additionally, the firm should focus on further embedding the VBM culture throughout the organization, leveraging advanced data analytics to enhance decision-making and performance monitoring. Finally, exploring opportunities for leveraging sustainability as a core driver of value could not only enhance the firm's competitive advantage but also contribute to long-term shareholder value.

Source: Value-Based Management Advancement for a Global Semiconductor Firm, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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