Revising Financial Strategies and Plans In Response to an Economic Downturn

Since mid-2014 when the price of crude oil began to fall dramatically, the economic downturn that followed has had a significant impact on the financial position and financial performance of a large number of corporations, small companies and other organisations. It is unusual for organisations to revise their strategies (long-term) and financial plans in response to short-term changes in market conditions and levels of economic activity. However, in response to the current economic downturn it has become necessary for most organisations to urgently review their strategies and financial plans in order to ensure not only their survival but to maintain profit levels and avoid possible losses, and also to provide the basis for future activity and growth upon returning to ‘normal’ economic conditions.

This interactive and user-friendly training course covers the core principles of finance and strategic management and their links with financial planning. It includes the financial tools, techniques and know-how that influence strategic and financial decision-making and planning and how they are applied practically in real-life business situations, and particularly in response to an economic downturn.

This Revising Financial Strategies and Plans In Response to an Economic Downturn training course will highlight:

• The linking of business and financial strategic decision-making processes with financial planning
• The financial statements and their links with financial planning, and decision-making
• Debt and equity financing decisions, capital structure and the weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
• Alternative costing systems that support financial decision-making
• Discounted cash flow (DCF) and capital investment rationing decisions
• Management of financial risk, interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate exposures

What are the Goals?

By the end of this training course, you will have significantly upskilled to be able to:

• Think strategically and use the strategic management process for improved decision-making and financial planning
• Interpret and use the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows as a basis for financial planning
• Identify the alternative sources of long-term finance, and evaluate the models of optimum capital structure and minimisation of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
• Use appropriate costing and measurement systems for effective financial planning
• Apply the technique of discounted cash flow (DCF) for evaluation of capital project investments, and capital rationing
• Use the technique of hedging of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates

Who is this Training Course for?

The Instructors own commercial career experiences and many other real-world business scenarios are shared throughout this exciting training course  to illustrate and reinforce the use of the essential financial tools and techniques. Their use will enable non-financial and financial professionals at every level to respond in particular to the current economic downturn and make better-informed decisions to improve organisational performance.

This Revising Financial Strategies and Plans In Response to an Economic Downturn training course is essential for a wide range of professionals from companies, corporations and governmental organisations, and in addition to interns, financial analysts, financial controllers, accountants and others active in the planning process this course will greatly benefit business professionals working in:

• sales and marketing
• estimating and costing
• operations
• engineering
• project management
• procurement
• logistics
• asset management
• human resources

and any other financial and non-financial professionals that need or wish to understand the financial aspects of the strategic decision-making process.

How will this Training Course be Presented?

This Revising Financial Strategies and Plans In Response to an Economic Downturn training course is presented in a very hands-on way to suit individuals with varying levels of financial knowledge and experience. To provide a thorough training in the subjects covered the Instructor uses a variety of proven adult learning teaching and facilitation techniques. It is conducted along workshop principles with formal presentations, numerous worked examples, and real-world experiences and scenarios. Interactive team case studies and exercises reinforce the application of each of the learning points and topics covered.

Difficult mathematical concepts are minimised wherever possible and handled in a visual way that is easy to understand – our aim is for this to be an enjoyable learning experience.