The International Financial Corporation develops a collaborative relationship with its client companies and works with them to improve their governance practices. This is done through the following:

• Evaluating risks and opportunities. The IFC's priority is to improve an investee company's governance when the company's practices present a special risk to IFC's investment or an exceptional opportunity to improve the client's governance.
• Classifying IFC investee companies into five paradigms: listed companies, family companies, financial institutions, privatized transition economy companies, and state-owned enterprises.
• Implementing a six-step approach for improving a client's corporate governance practices. This approach begins with the investment staff's analysis of the client's governance practices. If necessary, IFC develops a corporate governance improvement program with the client.