What most programs fail to do is link the various segments of the planning and implementation process of business. This program is different. You start with strategic planning to determine what direction the firm should take. Then you will develop a workable forecast based on your assumptions; move onto results focused budgeting from this forecast; then use the “what-if” tools based in Excel© to “test” you budget; and finally develop reports of the results for accountability. This program gives the delegates real tools that value their firm.

Learning Outcomes

• You will be able to further your professional skills
• You will be able to make more informed and hence better corporate decisions
• You will walk away with a comprehensive planning to implementation tool
• You will be better placed to contribute to the overall success of your organization
• You can teach your peers your new skills
• The participants will become more aware of the importance of links between these critical areas
• New skills of integration management will help to make more informed and hence better management decisions
• Exposure to different techniques will help the company to efficiently collect and use the most critical data
• Forecasting of cash flows will help the company in its day-to-day and long-range plans
• The knowledge gained can be shared amongst other departments of the company

Everyone who is involved in strategic planning, forecasting, budgeting, reporting & measurements, to include:

• Senior executives
• Financial Professionals, Finance Controllers & Treasurers
• Operating and Inventory Professionals
• Any Professional, at a medium and senior level, who is a part of the decision making team
• New interns and trainees with any of the above related responsibilities

Introduction

·         What is strategic planning & why do it

·         Limitations of strategic planning

·         Specific problems associated with strategic planning

·         Assessment tools including SWOT, Porter’s 5-forces, GE & BCG models

·         Developing the plan & strategic objectives

Mapping your strategy

·         Strategic Planning Process Flowchart

·         Competitive Analysis

·         SWOT Analysis

·         Strategic Goals

·         Why we have to plan before we forecast

Introduction to Forecasting

·         What is forecasting?

·         Strategic role of forecasting

·         The forecasting process

·         Forecasting demand

·         Sales forecasting using various methods in Excel© (LINEST, LOGEST, etc)

Qualitative Forecasting models

·         Market surveys, Delphi, Life cycle analogy, Expert opinions, Sales force polling

Quantitative Forecasting models

·         How the FORECAST, GROWTH & TREND Functions in Excel© simplify the forecasting process

·         The Components of a Time Series

Day Three: “What-if” analysis

·         What is Scenario Analysis?

·         What is Sensitivity Analysis?

·         What is Simulation Analysis?

·         What is Optimization?

What-if tools

·         How to develop random numbers using Excel©

·         How to use Goal Seek in Excel©

·         How to use Solver in Excel©

Budgeting and the Management Process

·         What is a budget?

·         Why & how is it different from a forecast?

·         Budgets - the financial expression of the operating plan

·         The purpose of budgets – planning & control

·         Advantages and limitations of budgets

The Framework for Budgeting

·         Elements of the budget framework

·         Types of budgets: flexible, zero-based, static

·         The pro forma financial statements

·         Operating versus non-operating revenue

·         Listing of major budgeting software

·         How to evaluate budgeting software

Budgeting Costs and Expenses

·         Operating expenses - selling, G&A, R&D

·         Direct variable expenses

·         Indirect Fixed expenses

·         Assignable and non-assignable expenses

Reporting & Meaningful Measurements

·         Variance analysis

·         Calculating different types of related variances

·         Performance measurement as a linking and integrating tool

·         The Balanced Scorecard

ü  Operational

ü  Financial

ü  Customer

ü  Learning & growth

Reporting

·         Internal – managerial

·         External – financial & regulatory

Linking it together

·         Linking strategic planning, forecasting budgeting and reporting

·         Reporting and performance analysis 

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

·         (30%) Based on Case Studies

·         (30%) Techniques 

·         (30%) Role Play

·         (10%) Concepts

·         Pre-test and Post-test

·         Variety of Learning Methods

·         Lectures

·         Case Studies and Self Questionaires

·         Group Work

·         Discussion

·         Presentation

This rate includes participant’s manual, Hand-Outs, buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival, morning & afternoon of each day.

Daily Course Timings:

    08:00 - 08:20       Morning Coffee / Tea

    08:20 - 10:00       First Session

    10:00 - 10:20       Coffee / Tea / Snacks

    10:20 - 12:20       Second Session

    12:20 - 13:30       Lunch Break & Prayer Break

    13:30 - 15:00       Last Session