以下文字节选自历年真题，划线部分为结合案例进行分析的部分，未划线部分为通用文字（需要熟练掌握），考试时结合案例进行具体分析。

Benefits of integrated thinking

By taking a holistic or integrated approach, the board of SmartWear is provided with a full range of inter-related factors which allows it to focus on creating sustainable business value from a strategic perspective. The strategic focus and future provides great insight into the interdependency between strategy, the business model and value creation. To help the board turn around the business and create value, it should adopt integrated thinking as this will enable the alignment of the low cost-low price business model to the changing market opportunities and enable the company to improve performance sustainably

The board needs to devise and implement a successful strategy which focuses attention on key business issues which drive performance and value creation in the long term so that it can turn around business fortunes. Integrated thinking utilises a broader information base than traditional business decision-making, which tends to focus on relatively short‑term financial outcomes. The board’s decision on whether or not to implement the proposed CDMS must be based on a range of integrated issues, and not simply the appraised financial outcome.

Joined up thinking which results in better performance can be used to promote and market the business more widely. This will strengthen the corporate image and reputation of SmartWear and could allow it to capture even greater market share, as well as consolidating its dominant position in the market place. There is a direct correlation between brand value, good reputation and business value; so the shareholders will ultimately benefit for this approach.

Integrated thinking can lead to improvements in the governance arrangements in SmartWear by enhancing accountability over a broad base of business capitals as well as encouraging a greater understanding of their interdependencies. The resultant better corporate governance should offer greater assurance to shareholders that the board is acting in their best interests through the careful stewardship of all business assets.

At SmartWear, employees can make a very valuable contribution to the operational effectiveness of the company. The knowledge and capabilities of employees must be developed and utilised to best effect, and this can best be achieved through integrated thinking. This management approach actively encourages employee engagement in all aspect of business activity such as better engagement with customers via CDMS and empowers individuals to contribute to the delivery of higher levels of performance.

Successful stakeholder management is vital for any successful business, as it enables the company to respond to the demands of its key stakeholders quickly and effectively. Integrated thinking contributes to good relationships with key stakeholders as it considers how and to what extent the company understands, takes into account, and responds to their legitimate needs and interests.

Integrated thinking requires the continuous transfer of information throughout the company, and so by default improves the lines and nature of internal communication. This more transparent approach will improve inter-departmental cooperation and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations. This should reduce avoidable and unnecessary costs being incurred and improve SmartWear’s financial performance.

Many investors struggle to understand how managing the relevant risk factors contributes to value creation over time into investment decisions, because the information which is often presented is insufficiently strategic, comparable and sector specific. As a result, there is the risk that capital is not being directed efficiently towards retail models at SmartWear which create rather than destroy value.

Two of the biggest challenges faced by any company are breaking down organisational silos and changing existing data capture processes. Integrated thinking will challenge these entrenched behaviours allowing for improved connectivity of people and information, thereby giving the board a holistic view of the interrelated and dependent factors which affect SmartWear’s ability to create value over time.