Who is it for?
A course for managers
who want to develop their commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking
in order to influence the direction of their business as well as deliver to
theirfull potential.
What is it about?
Day one provides the
skills and insights to make sense of the company’s financial position andperformance. Day two
then considers the strategic thinking tools required to plot the forwardcourse needed to
maximise the potential of the business.
What will I get out
of it?
- An understanding of
the balance sheet, profit & loss account cash flow and statutory and management accounts
- Employment of key
financial ratios to analyse your business
- A practical definition
of strategy
- Analysis tools to
examine the current environment and capabilities
- Steps to devise a
mission and vision statement
- Recognition of the
skills and resources needed to achieve the vision
- Generation of
appropriate strategic and tactical commercial objectives
Course overview
Day 1 – Financial analysis “looking at the wake”
- Finance – back to
basics
- Overview of company
structure
- Balance sheet, profit
& loss, cash flow
- Users of statutory
& management accounts
- Basic accounting
principles
- Ratio analysis –
profitability/liquidity/ efficiency/gearing. Relating ratios to reality
Day 2 – Thinking strategically “the view from the bridge”
- Strategy – the basics
- Definitions and types of strategy
- The five step
strategic planning model
- Where are we now? – SWOT & PESTLE analysis
- Where do we want to get to? – defining success & the role of
the mission & vision
- What have we got to be good at to get there
- Creating an identity & values
- Translating into SMART objectives
- Strategy & leadership
- Translation into
commercial plans
- Forecasting & budgeting – the financial implications
- Project accounting – discounted cash flows
- Risk analysis
- Review
- Strategic business planning
- Improving margins through delivering value
- Cost control and efficiency programmes
- Short term action planning
- Long term
vision setting