FINANCIAL CHALLENGES IN A VUCA WORLD

TRAINING OVERVIEW

In the current business landscape, DixonTech's course acknowledges that organizations are grappling with unprecedented financial challenges. Navigating sustainability, maximizing shareholder wealth, boosting profitability, and maintaining liquidity in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) world requires strategic financial acumen. The Financial Challenges in a VUCA World training course offered by DixonTech delivers a comprehensive understanding of evaluating financial decisions while considering the impact of VUCA on Revenue, Costs, Cashflows, and Budgets. Participants, including those trained by DixonTech, will create and leverage financial models for analysing real-world case studies. The incorporation of sensitivity and scenario analysis, simulating global events, enhances decision-making skills. This empowers professionals to seamlessly apply these acquired skills in their workplace, making substantial contributions such as cost reduction, profit maximization, and risk mitigation.

TRAINING TOPICS

• An evaluation and assessment of real-world volatility in Financial Markets: Commodity Prices, Exchange Rates, Interest Rates, Investments
• Practical application of financial modelling skills to real life case studies and your company
• Development of finance knowledge and its application to business problems and decision-making
• The development of Financial Models which will be of practical use to you and your organization.

By the end of this training course, delegates will be able to:

• Evaluate the impact of VUCA factors on their organization.
• Develop financial models to meet the financial challenges of today and the future.
• Manage and Control Budgets in a VUCA world.
• Manage financial risk using financial models and the latest hedging tools and techniques.
• Contribute to Sustainable Strategies & Policies

TRAINING IS TAILORED TO

• Financial professionals faced with the challenges of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity
• Professionals who need to develop a greater understanding of finance.
• Professionals who need to develop their financial modelling skills.
• Those who make decisions using financial models or are impacted by those decisions.
• Those responsible for managing finance.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

In delivering the Financial Challenges in a VUCA World training course, DixonTech employs a diverse range of effective adult learning techniques to optimize understanding and retention. The methodology incorporates engaging discussions, real-world case studies, and practical exercises. Delegates actively contribute, bringing factual issues from their professional contexts into the workshop for comprehensive exploration. The highly participatory nature of the training, facilitated by experienced financial practitioners from DixonTech, ensures a dynamic learning environment. Delegates receive guidance on finance fundamentals and the latest tools and techniques, empowering them with valuable skills for both personal and organizational development.

DAY ONE:

THE VUCA WORLD

• What is VUCA?
• Volatility in Financial Markets: Commodity Prices, Exchange Rates, Interest Rates, Investments
• Measures of Volatility
• Uncertainty & Ambiguity: the differences and implications
• Risk: Identifying & measuring the major Financial Risks
• Complexity: Making complex financial decisions using Decision Trees

DAY TWO:

FORECASTING INCOME, COSTS, AND ECONOMIC VARIABLES

• Forecasting Demand & Revenue using Quantitative & Qualitative Data
• Forecasting Commodity Prices, e.g. Oil Prices, using statistical models.
• Expected Monetary Value (EMV) & Probability Analysis
• Statistical Forecasts Methods in Excel – Time Series Analysis, Exponential Smoothing, Correlation & Regression Analysis
• Cost Estimation – Incremental; Inflation, PERT
• Forecasting Interest Rates & Exchange Rates using historical data, Interest Rate Parity Theory and Purchasing Power Parity Theory

DAY THREE:

MANAGING VUCA BUDGETS & WORKING CAPITAL

• Preparing Budgets based on Day 2
• Budgetary Control & Flexibility
• Variance Analysis
• Earned Value Analysis: Cost & Schedule Variances
• Examining the impact on Working Capital & Break Even
• Managing Working Capital & Liquidity in Uncertain & Complexed times

DAY FOUR:

FINANCIAL MODELLING TO AID DECISION-MAKING IN A VUCA WORLD

• Preparing Cash Flow Forecasts based on Day 2
• Modelling Finance Decisions – Equity or Debt and the Cost of Capital
• Capital Investment Decisions – Payback, ARR, NPV & IRR using Excel.
• Modelling Risk & Uncertainty in Excel
• Sensitivity & What if Analysis
• Scenario Analysis

DAY FIVE:

LEADERSHIP & RISK MANAGEMENT IN A VUCA WORLD

• Leadership & Management through VUCA
• Implementing Sustainable Strategies & Policies
• Strategies to remove the VUCA.
• Hedging Financial Risks
• Financial Derivatives – Forwards, Options Futures & Swaps
• Using Derivatives to Managing Oil Price Volatility, Interest Rates & Exchange Rates