It’s not often that I come across a financing book that gets me excited. Actually, I think that had never happened, until I got my hands on The Decision-Maker’s Guide to Long-Term Financing written by Kathrin Ohle. Too often, books on financing are all theory, but this one has practical knowledge from an experienced practitioner. I feel that this book fills a gap in the finance literature.
Kathrin has masterfully distilled the complex art of long-term financing into a hands-on guide for business owners and managers. In straight-forward language, the book addresses all the financing issues and options decision-makers typically face when raising equity or debt instruments. She explains that she wrote the book as a service to the financing industry, to help small and medium-sized businesses secure the financing terms they want – with confidence, and to save them time and money. And I am convinced the book does exactly that. I believe that this book will make a company’s fundraising process a lot easier and less costly – no matter if you are raising equity, corporate debt, project debt or sub debt.
Kathrin has spent 25 years in financing as a lender, financial investor, strategic investor and financial advisor with companies, such as Deutsche Bank, TD Securities, Business Development Bank of Canada, Emera and then her own company, twig energy. That’s the background and experience she gives the reader access to. The book is full of information, but also definitions, insider tips and real world case studies. It certainly is a “120-page powerhouse”, as Kathrin says.
That’s why I got in touch with Kathrin and negotiated a special price arrangement for the members of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), the association of which I am the President and CEO. I also had CanSIA purchase 50 paperback copies to get the member sale started. I learned a lot about long-term financing from the book and I would love for this great tool to land in the hands of the entrepreneurs, businesspeople and students Kathrin wrote it for.
John Gorman is the president and CEO of the Canadian Solar Industries Association.
