Organizational Alpha: How to Add Value in Institutional Asset Management

I did my master's thesis on endowment investing, and I wish this book was around at the time I wrote the paper. This book, alongside both works by David Swensen, is required reading for institutional investors. Here is the link to Swensen's works for you reference:https://www.amazon.com/David-F.-Swensen/e/B001H6NC42Unlike other works I've read on institutional investing (which simply offer a laundry list of investment strategies without detailing the risks inherent in them or the challenges of implementing them), Carlson spends a lot of time on the "how" of institutional investing. This is not a titillating listing of sexy-sounding investment strategies. Instead, Carlson (much like Swensen) offers valuable wisdom in the tools required for successful institutional investing.I'm not sure how much more I can say about the caliber of this book. Every institutional investors needs to read this.

This book is concise, pithy, and richly insightful for those involved in fiduciary oversight of other people's money. It should be required background reading for anyone stepping into an institutional asset management role, but also makes a wonderful discussion framework for board retreats and workshops. It makes Fiduciaries acutely aware of what can and cannot be controlled, and outlines a protocol and process for doing so, which will increase your effectiveness and oversight as a Fiduciary. An essential practical bookshelf reference for Trustees of any vintage that's worth reading again and again.

Given how important institutional financial management is to so many of us (whether we know it or not — via pensions, foundations, and endowments), it’s remarkable to me that there aren’t more books written about the subject. Ben is an incredibly clear thinker and writer, and this should be required reading for any fiduciary involved in the management of institutional assets. The advice in this book is not specific to any period of time, and I suspect this book will have an incredibly long shelf life in terms of its utility and applicability. Perhaps most impressive of all is the fact that Ben covered such a wide range of important topics in such a compact form.

Ben's style of writing is in line with the message delivered in this book: keep it simple. Very easy read with incredibly powerful advice.Both organizations and individuals can take many lessons away from Organizational Alpha. It outlines a process for building a successful, structured and purpose driven investment organization.As illustrated by the many examples in the book, much of the institutional asset management industry needs rethinking. This quick read can have a powerful impact. Ben provides a fresh take and his book should be required reading for all who work in that space.

I loved reading this book. It is accurate, clear, true - and short, as it can be read in a couple of hours. The return on investing couple of hours could be amazing, if the lessons are properly implemented. Obviously that is easier said that done, as it goes against our human nature, career risk and all those other biases that stand between us and long-term investment success.The author does an outstanding job of describing what is really needed to achieve investment success for institutional investors. In my opinion, the lessons are applicable to individual investors as well.

Chapter 4 May be one of my favorite overviews of creating an investment process ever penned. Great book, well written. Great value per page & per $.

This is truly what's missing from institutional asset management. Ben hits the nail squarely in the head. I'm buying a copy of this book for every member of my investment committee.

Great book with knowledge that can be applied across several areas of everyday life but especially investing. Not long winded like many other books.

Tremendously helpful book with practical content delivered succinctly. As the title suggests, very much focused on providing advice for those involved in institutional investing (whether as advisor, consultant or Client). The book is relatively thin but well worth buying as a practical guide.

A+

Simple & Profound