Training Course on Understanding Finance for Strategic Decision Making

Course Description

All businesses continually need finance to maintain their existence. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that businesses exist because of money and to make more money. Initiation of a business, setting up of an enterprise, purchasing inventories, hiring employees, manufacturing products, paying rent, marketing, buying machinery, paying a dividend to shareholders – each and every activity has its emergence because of finance.

Money, capital, cash, investments are all inter-related terms that may carry the same meaning for a non-professional. However, a professional would not only be able to differentiate between these terms but also would understand how each and every aspect of finance needs adroit management. A proper understanding of finance by the manager can prove to be the distinguishing factor between a successful and an unsuccessful business. Merely arranging funds and then spending it on various activities cannot spell prosperity for the firm. It requires apperception that there’s science behind acquiring and allocation of finance. The management needs to strategically make decisions regarding crucial financial aspects. Developing skills regarding strategic use of finance will increase the profitability of the business and ensure its long-term survival among the cut-throat competition.

What are various sources of acquiring finance? Which source is best suited for the firm? How will the time value of money affect the firm’s operations? What will be the best investments for the business? How can investment performance be evaluated? What capital structure mix will best conform to the corporate’s overall objectives? How can the firm strive a balance between managing debt and financial leverage? How proper evaluation of alternatives will result in value maximizing decisions?

These questions might be an enigma for the General Managers of the firm. Their lack of understanding will prevent them from comprehending strategic implications these questions may have on the firm’s financial health. It becomes integral for both General Managers and Finance Managers to understand the interdependence between strategy and finance. General Managers need to gain knowledge of finance for effective decision making and Finance Managers need to discern strategic management for productive financial results.

This Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training course acknowledges that understanding finance is closely associated with strategic decision making and offers a parallel between finance and effective strategy formulation. This course is a prerequisite for any professional who aims to make a positive impact in their jobs with the enhanced practical and conceptual insight into finance. It will inculcate within its participant’s foundational knowledge of finance with best practices, techniques and methods that can be adopted for sustainable value creation for the firm. This course will broaden the decision-making ability of its participants by linking financial theories with business policies.

Course Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this Training Course on Understanding Finance for Strategic Decision Making, participants will be able to:

• Understand the application of elemental principles of finance to business strategy and policymaking
• Appreciate correlation between finance and strategy
• Comprehend how strategic decision making can increase shareholder’s wealth and result in value maximization
• Know various functions of finance and how they affect the overall well-being of the firm
• Value assets and manage financial risk for the firm
• Understand various concepts related to working capital management, evaluation techniques, financial analysis, time value of money.

Training Methodology

The course is designed to be highly interactive, challenging and stimulating. It will be an instructor led training and will be delivered using a blended learning approach comprising of presentations, discussions, guided sessions of practical exercise, case study review, web-based tutorials, group work, exploration of relevant issues collaborative strength training, performance measurement, and workshops of participants’ displays, all of which adhere to the highest standards of training. The training technique is built on learning by doing, with lecturers using a learner-centered approach to engage participants and provide tasks that allow them to apply what they’ve learned. Experiential knowledge is also given equal importance within the format of training. Our facilitators are seasoned industry professionals with years of expertise in their chosen fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.

Who Should Attend?

This Training Course on Understanding Finance for Strategic Decision Making would be suitable for, but not limited to:

• Financial Managers, Credit Managers
• General Managers, Corporate Managers, Operations Managers
• Business Policymakers
• Departmental Heads, Managers, Executives
• Financial Analysts

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Basics of Finance and Strategy

• Financial management
• Role of finance, finance functions
• Role of finance managers
• Agency theory: Management Vs. Shareholders
• Types of financial strategies
• Working capital management

Module 2: Concept of Time Value of Money

• Time value of money
• Future value and present value
• Cash flows and annuity
• Discounting and compounding

Module 3: Risk and Return: Trade-Off

• Calculation of risks using standard deviation, variance
• Beta estimation
• Systematic and unsystematic risk
• Asset pricing models: Capital Asset Pricing Model

Module 4: Capital Budgeting

• Investment Decisions
• Investment Evaluation Criteria
• Investment Decision Making Techniques: NPV, IRR
• Impact Of Capital Budgeting on Strategy Formulation of the Organization
• Risk Analysis

Module 5: Investment Strategy

• Capital Investments
• Investment Decisions and Corporate Strategy
• Capital Rationing

Module 6: Capital Structure

• Capital structure theory
• Understanding debt trap
• Financial leverage
• EBIT-EPS analysis
• Weighted Average Cost of Capital

Module 7: Value Maximization and Risk Management

• Corporate restructuring
• Value creation
• Corporate strategy and mergers & acquisitions
• Leveraged buy-outs
• Risk hedging
• Risk management strategy

Module 8: Financial Planning and Analysis

• Strategic financial planning
• Inter-relating financial planning and strategy
• Financial statement analysis: ratio analysis
• Comparative statement analysis
• DuPont Analysis
• Case study
  

Requirements

• Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.
• Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

NOTE

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

How to Book

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737566961

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com  

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961