Publisher's Synopsis
A New Approach to the Valuation of Businesses and Technologies Based on Options Theory
The Real Options Solution presents a practical approach to applying real options analysis that is based on one core insight: all business plans are options. Whether you´re a manager or an investor, this straightforward guide offers a proven new approach to the valuation of businesses and technologies based on options theory-the "total value" model. The Real Options Solution outlines a six-step method for applying this model in a high-risk environment, whether you want to evaluate . . .
* Start-ups
* R&D-intensive companies
* Bellwether companies
* Capital investments
* Hypothetical business problems
. . . and describes how diminishing returns, risk, and innovation can affect this model.
Filled with real-world examples and insights from F. Peter Boer-an expert on valuation and risk-The Real Options Solution provides comprehensive coverage of the real options approach to valuation and will help you pinpoint opportunities which emerge from high-growth and high-volatility situations.
Drawing on the concepts of his earlier book, Valuation of Technology, and on his extensive experience as a senior executive in R&D intensive industries, Peter Boer, in his new book The Real Options Solution, has provided vital and quantitative new insight for those investing in an increasingly risk-dominated and volatile marketplace. In The Real Options Solution the author combines traditional economic evaluation with strategic evaluation based on option theory-on the possible courses of action (options) that transcend the purely economic evaluations in both time and very frequently economic and other returns. This excellent book should be required reading for venture capitalists and indeed both those in, and those contemplating entry into today´s and tomorrow´s markets. The basic ideas here are both simple-like all really good ideas-and potentially very powerful as exemplified in Boer´s charming presentation of Queen Isabella´s investment in Columbus´s first voyage. -D. Allan Bromley, Yale University
Dr. Boer´s ideas about the economics and management of industrial R&D have had a significant impact. This novel and wonderfully written book provides a modern framework for the analysis of high-risk, high-reward endeavors, which include research and development. The methodology has great intellectual appeal: it integrates real options analysis and net present value analysis, thus capturing the traits of the "new" and "old" economies in the same analytical framework. This it does in a practical, pragmatic manner, suitable to real-life problems in opportunity (and risk) management. -L. Louis Hegedus, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc.
The Real Options Solution should be read by CEOs, investors, and anyone else interested in making sense of our markets and our economy.-Jeffrey E. Garten, Dean, Yale School of Management
This book is exciting...[Boer has] taken an intellectually challenging subject and made it very interesting. -Jeffrey M. Lipton, President & CEO, NOVA Chemicals
