In a Talk @ Google presentation, Brookfield’s head of investment, Flatt, shared his firm’s investment approach. He stressed avoiding crowded trades and chasing short-term trends. Instead, Flatt said investors should seek areas where capital is scarce and focus on segments temporarily out of favour. He said, “growth, by itself, does not necessarily translate into value creation.” Brookfield prioritizes assets that generate steady profits and cash flows over long periods, even if they are not part of market hype. A core part of the strategy is investing in real assets like infrastructure, real estate, and renewable power. These provide long-term contracted cash flows and protect against inflation. Flatt explained these assets help reduce volatility during market ups and downs. He warned investors against following popular stories and excessive optimism. “Successful investing often requires a contrarian mindset,” he said, highlighting the need to invest when others withdraw. Flatt also highlighted buying quality assets, even at a slight premium, if they come below replacement cost. This approach offers a safety margin and better chances of lasting returns. With market volatility expected to stay high, Flatt recommends focusing on fundamentals like cash generation and resisting the urge to chase market fashions. In his view, patience and value-driven discipline are key to reliable, long-term growth.