BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  P&L  >  Why Focus Amplifies Corporate Value & Diversification Dilutes

Why Focus Amplifies Corporate Value & Diversification Dilutes

Mir Salim, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

03-Nov-25 11:00

Why Focus Amplifies Corporate Value & Diversification Dilutes

For decades, diversification has been the go-to strategy for hedging risk. But in today's market, does it actually create value, or does it dilute it? A new global study from BCG analysed over 700 companies and found an unambiguous answer: for long-term market performance, consistent focus beats diversification.

Mir Salim, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, joins us to unpack the financial implications of this research.

He explains why diversified firms often suffer from a "conglomerate discount", how strategic focus leads to higher margins, and the playbook for executing a successful portfolio transformation.

We discuss:

  • Why "focus amplifies returns and complexity dilutes them".

  • The conglomerate discount and the pitfalls of capital misallocation.

  • Why downturns are the best time to divest non-core assets.

  • The crucial role of the CFO in driving a continuous portfolio transformation.

  • How these global findings apply to Malaysian and ASEAN conglomerates.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  Corporatesmanaginginvestments

Tags:  capital allocationvalue creationcorporate strategyportfolio managementmergers & acquisitionsm&a





Play / Pause

Listen now : The Selector: Covering all styles of music from indie, dubstep, folk, soul,...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Kenneth Loh, Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence gives us the outlook for global shipping in 2026.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Cha-ly Koh, Founder & CEO of Urbanmetry, weighs in on the strategic plans for Kuala Lumpur.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Prof. David FitzPatrick, Provost & CEO, University of Nottingham Malaysia discusses the university's impact on our economy, student outcomes, and more.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Oh Ei Sun, Principal Adviser, Pacific Research Centre discusses the recent developments in Sabah state.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) Cha-ly Koh, Founder & CEO of Urbanmetry, weighs in on the strategic plans for Kuala Lumpur.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Andrew Henderson, Nomad Capitalist

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Kong Ka Weng & Faw Ali, Cursor ambassadors & co-organisers of the Cursor x Anthropic Hackathon Malaysia

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Prof. David FitzPatrick, Provost & CEO, University of Nottingham Malaysia discusses the university's impact on our economy, student outcomes, and more.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Front Row

We find out about Classical For Kids: The Magic Flute with The klpac Orchestra, a family-friendly concert for everyone from Music Director YiLing Chaing, and Concertmaster Lee Hai Lin.

3:25 PM

Front Row

The new dance production Body For Nobody uses movement, sound, and ritual to invite us to slow down and pay attention. We hear more from its creator, choreographer and dancer, Ethel Deidre.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

The CDC says hepatitis B vaccinations aren’t necessary for all newborn babies. Is this the right thing to do? We ask the experts.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

We review Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - before discussing the best movies and series of the year.

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

Sean Malhotra and Bob Holmes join Daryl Ong to talk about football during the festive period - they look ahead to Matchweek 17 of the English Premier League.

8:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) It’s racing in its purest form - we talk about go-karting and its appeal beyond its recreational fun!

9:00 PM

The Selector

Covering all styles of music from indie, dubstep, folk, soul, electro and everything in between from some of the most exciting artists in the UK.