How to protect your cash flow In the current economic climate more and more companies are finding that their customers are taking longer to pay - or are not even paying at all. As cash flow is key to the survival of any business, effective debt collection tactics are vital for all businesses. This workshop concentrates on the telephone skills and techniques you can use to achieve the most positive outcome in any debt collection situation - payment of money owed, as soon as possible, whilst keeping the collection cost as low as possible. The course will help you: Understand your debtors and communicate with them accordingly Develop a strategy for more effective debt collection Make every call count Handle difficult calls Reduce the amount of time you need to spend on chasing payment Increase your collection rates 1 The debt collection process Understanding the reasons behind payment default Looking at the debt situation from the customer's point of view Developing a strategy for effective debt collection 2 Advanced telephone communication skills Techniques for speaking to the person responsible for paying the debt How to gain the customer's trust when discussing debt Telephone collection skills best practice Key phrases that keep the conversation positive and open 3 Questioning and listening skills for gathering information Different types of question Using high-gain questions to uncover key information Active listening that will help you understand what customers are really saying Leading with examples and high-impact questions Summarising and restating 4 Overcoming objections and excuses Identifying objections Preparing suitable responses Probing objections and ways to overcome them 5 Gaining commitment and ending the call Learn how to negotiate an agreement to suit both parties Summarising actions for you and the customer Ending the call professionally 6 Dealing with difficult and challenging situations Understand different personality types The correct way to respond to an upset customer Ways to calm angry customers (and handle verbal attacks) 7 Action plans Course summary and presentation of action plans
Project Accounting and Finance Skills: Virtual In-House Training Do you manage both project schedules and budgets, but do not have insight into how actual results relate to the approved budget? Do you desire to have more clarity about the relationship between your project's performance with the accounting and financial systems in your organization? Do you need to understand financial and accounting terminology to bridge the gap between the 'world of finance' and the 'world of project management? Organizations have a need to manage-by-projects, because projects are the means to deliver on strategic goals and objectives. Therefore, the project manager must have an understanding of the financial world of investments to ensure the organization will realize expected business value. This requires a foundation in the principles of accounting and finance to comprehend how the project's contribution provides an organization with a competitive advantage. Learn what you must do to give your organization the assurance it needs that its investment in your project will realize business value. Learn what you must do to give your organization the assurance it needs to know that its investment in your project will realize business value. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the aspects of classical corporate accounting and finance effects on managing projects Determine how your project fits into the corporate income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement Analyze the financial aspects of managing projects Use earned value management as the basis for decision making throughout the project life Recognize the importance of the project manager's financial responsibilities Focus on what PMs do and should be doing, in support of accounting and finance Use financial information within a project environment to meet financial results Track and analyze the project's financial status and forecast with the goal of realizing benefits Generate work performance data to ensure a project's outcome aligns with financial metrics Foundation Concepts Accounting and Finance Terms and Concepts Accounting and Finance Essentials Financial Terms and Concepts Projects as Financial Investments Overview of 'Two Worlds' Project as Investments Accounting and Finance World: Standards, Principles and Practices Accounting and Finance Standards and Principles Accounting and Finance Practices Capital Budgeting Corporate Budgeting Accounting and Finance World: Economic Project Selection Methods Economic Project Selection Methods Economic Project Selection and the Business Case Project Management World Project Management and Financial Controls Project Management and Work Performance Data Project Management and Earned Value Management Project Management and Work Performance Reporting
Mergers and Acquisitions - Virtual Learning Why Attend This practical course covers the key steps in the Mergers and Acquisitions(M&A) process, from the initial step of valuing the shares in a company through to closing the deal. Whether or not participants practice M&A, this course will provide them an insider's look into what is an undeniable major force in today's corporate arena. This course will give participants an A-Z understanding of the M&A process and the ability to evaluate whether a merger or acquisition fits with their organization's strategy. As a result they will identify the most lucrative M&A opportunities, select the best partners and get the maximum reward from the deal. Course Methodology In this interactive training course participants will frequently work in pairs as well as in larger groups to complete exercises, and regional and international case studies. Course Objectives By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Identify attractive Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) opportunities Formulate the initial steps and the preliminary agreements for a merger or acquisition Carry out a full due diligence into the state of affairs of a target company Understand the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) and the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) Take an active role in the exchange and completion stages of a merger or acquisition Be an effective part of the post-merger integration to ensure the smooth running of the new organization Target Audience This course is suitable for anyone involved in the identification, planning and execution of a Mergers and Acquisitions opportunity. This includes, CEOs, managing directors, general managers, financial directors, accountants, board members, commercial directors, business development directors, strategy planners and analysts, and in-house council. Target Competencies Identifying M&A opportunities Due Diligence Organizing Acquisitions Structuring Negotiations Post-acquisition Integration Post-acquisition Audit Note The Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department has introduced a Continuing Legal Professional Development (CLPD) programme to legal consultants authorised to practise through a licensed firm in the Emirate of Dubai. We are proud to announce that the Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department has accredited EMG Associates as a CLPD provider. In addition, all our legal programmes have been approved. This PLUS Specialty Training Legal course qualifies for 4 elective CLPD points. Fundamentals of Mergers and Acquisitions ( M&A) Distinction between Mergers and Acquisitions Types of Mergers & Acquisitions Horizontal Vertical conglomerate Knowledge of areas of law required in M& A The Preliminary documents required in M&A Heads of terms- legally binding? Confidentiality - do they need to be in writing? Lockout/exclusivity agreements- requirements for enforceability How to structure the Acquisition Share sale Advantages and disadvantages from the buyer's perspective Advantages and disadvantages from the seller's perspective Business sale Advantages and disadvantages from the buyer's perspective Advantages and disadvantages from the seller's perspective Hive down A combination of assert sale and share sale Looking at different valuation techniques Real Estate Value Relief from Royalty Discounted Cash Flow Market Multiples Dividend Yield Net Assets The Due Diligence Process What is it? Why do it? Scope of due diligence Legal Financial Commercial Operational The Purchase Agreements Share Sale Purchase Agreement v Asset Purchase Agreement v Business Purchase Agreements Provisions in a Share Purchase Agreement Importance of warranties and indemnities in purchase agreements Negotiating warranties from a Share Purchase Agreement Contractual protection for the seller Disclosure letter Intellectual property What happens to IP in M&A Stages of the IP during the M&A process Dispute Resolution in M&A Litigation Arbitration Mediation The Exchange and completion stages of M&A Seller's document Buyer's document The auction process The relevant stages Advantages and disadvantages from the buyer's and the seller's perspective
The Forensic Analysis Bootcamp is an 8-week deep-dive into forensic equity analysis, featuring a 90-minute Zoom workshop each week. The content includes extensive use of real-life case studies and covers stocks spanning a wide range of sectors and regions. You will learn how companies manipulate expenses and inflate profits, how to spot balance sheet issues, weaknesses of the cash flow statement and issues and more.
What do engineers and project managers need to know of finance? 'Nothing - leave it to the accountants!' No, no, no! Engineers must be conversant with the terminology and statements that accountants use. Technical expertise in projects, service delivery, production or other areas can only really be harnessed if the managers understand the accounting and reporting that drives businesses. This course gives the necessary understanding to project, production and technical managers. It develops their skills in understanding financial and management accounting. Accountants may not always like it but a major part of their work is to be the 'servants of business' and to gather, compile and present your figures. So you must understand the figures - they belong to you, your processes or projects. There are many reasons for maintaining accurate accounts. This course focuses on the strategic issues (those over-used words) - what figures reveal about the drivers of business and what they reveal about the day-to-day issues that accountants bother you with. The course will enhance your understanding of finance and of the accounting issues which affect your projects, production and technical areas of business. This course will help you: Understand the business world in figures - make sense of what the accountants are telling you Appreciate what drives business - and how this affects your role in your part of the business Relate your activities to the success of the business - through figures Gain the skills to advance in management - financial awareness is a 'must have' if you are to progress in your career 1 What do accountants do? The finance function, types of accountant, financial v management accounting and the treasury function Understanding the role of the finance function and how the information you provide may be used 2 The basic financial statements Balance sheets and income statements (P&L accounts) What they are, what they contain and above all what they can reveal - how to read them The accounting process - from transactions to financial statements What underpins the statements - accounting systems and internal controls 3 Why be in business - from a financial perspective The driving forces behind financial information Performance measures - profitability, asset utilisation, sales and throughput, managing capital expenditure 4 Accounting rules - accounting standards Accounting concepts and the accounting rules: accruals, 'going concern' - substance over form and other 'desirable qualities' Accruals - why the timing of a transaction is so important to the finance function Depreciation and amortisation - the concepts and practice Accounting standards - the role of International Financial Reporting Standards 5 Cash The importance of cash flow - working capital management Cash flow statements - monitoring overall cash flows Raising cash - levels of borrowing, gearing Spending cash - an outline of capital expenditure appraisal 6 Budgeting Why budget? - good and bad practice Determining why budgets play a key role and should not be simply an annual ritual Justifying your budgets - the link between the strategic plan and day-to-day budgeting - alignment of company culture Budgets as motivators - the importance of the right culture Techniques to improve budgeting - whether day-to-day or capital budgeting 7 Costing The type and detail of costing very much depends on your business - eg, manufacturing piston rings is quite different from the construction of a power plant Issues with overhead allocation Accounting for R&D 8 Reading financial statements Annual financial statements - why they are produced, what's in them and what you should look for Learning what a set of accounts reveals about a company's current situation, profitability and future prospects 9 Performance measurement - analytical reviews and ratio analysis ROI/ROCE Profitability, margins and cost control Sales - asset turnover Efficiency (asset / stock turnover, debtor / creditor days) 'City' measures Investment (interest / dividend cover, earnings per share, dividend yield)
Management of Value (MoV®) Foundation This interactive MoV® Foundation course provides a modular and case-study-driven approach to learning Management of Value (MoV). The core knowledge is structured and comprehensive; and well-rounded modules cover the methodology and various techniques. A case study is used to help appreciate the relevance of MoV in its practical application. What you will Learn Upon completion of an MoV course candidates should be able to discuss and explain: The main processes and techniques used within MoV and the reasons for using them How MoV may be applied at portfolio, program, project and operational levels The differences in applying MoV at different stages in a project and the expected outputs from a MoV Study at each stage The circumstances under which MoV should be used The concept of value and how value may be improved The main benefits arising from the use of MoV Approaches for implementing MoV How to respond to external and internal influences The principles of embedding MoV into an organization The key topics in document checklists, the toolbox, health check, organizational maturity and individual competence. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Organize and contribute constructively to a Management of Value (MoV) Study Demonstrate a knowledge of MoV principles, processes, approach and environment Analyse a company, program or project to establish its organizational value; includes identification and weighting of Value Drivers Pass the AXELOS MoV Foundation Examination Introduction to value management and MoV Value and Value Management Capabilities, Outcomes, Benefits and Disbenefits What is Value? What is Management of Value (MoV)? Why use MoV? Where use MoV? When MoV should be used? What using MoV involve? Selected MoV benefits Relationship with other AXELOS Global Best Practices and Models How MoV fits with other AXELOS Global Best Practice Guides MoV principles Align with organization's objectives Focus on functions and required outcomes Balance the variables to maximise value Apply throughout the investment decision Tailor MoV to suit the subject Learn from experience and improve Assign clear roles and responsibilities and build a supportive culture MoV processes Frame the programme or project Gather information Analyse information Process information Evaluate and select Develop Value Improving Proposals Implement and share outputs MoV techniques Function Analysis Function Analysis System Technique (FAST) Traditional (or classic) FAST Technical FAST Customer FAST Value Trees Measuring value Value profiling (a.k.a. value benchmarking) Simple multi-attribute rating technique (a.k.a. SMART) Value index Value metrics Value for money (VfM) ratio Value Engineering / Analysis Common techniques used in MoV Analysis of information Benchmarking Process Mapping Root Cause Analysis Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Generating Ideas Brainstorming Evaluation and option selection Option Selection Matrix Idea selection Allocation to Categories Idea Selection Matrix Weighting techniques Paired Comparisons Points Distribution Developing VIPs Developing Proposals Cost Benefit Analysis Building Decisions Implementing VIPs Implementation Plans Feedback Following up Tracking Benefits Approach to Implementation Generic approach to MoV implementation Plan the MoV activities Understand and articulate value Prioritize value Improve value Quantify value Monitor improvements in value Learn lessons Environmental factors Portfolio Considerations Programme considerations Project considerations Operational Considerations Embedding MoV into an organization Benefits of Embedding MoV into an organization MoV Policy MoV Policy Composition Embedding MoV into an organisation Key steps Suggested MoV Management Structure Overcoming barriers We do it anyway It takes up too much time We can't afford to make the changes What's in it for me? Don't fix it if it ain't broke Fixed returns on investment MoV products Briefing Meeting Agenda (A.1) Communications Checklist (A.2) Equipment list for an Effective Study/Workshop (A.3) Invitation to join the Study Team (A.4) Option Evaluation Matrix (A.5) Plan the Study (A.6) Recording Idea Selection (A.7) Reporting Study outputs (A.8) Scoping the Study (A.9) Study or Workshop Handbook (A.10) Value-Improvement Proposal Forms (A.11) Value Improvement Tracking Report (A.12) MoV toolbox MoV health check and maturity model P3M3 Maturity Model MoV Maturity Model (aligned with P3M3)
Management of Value (MoV®) Foundation: Virtual In-House Training This interactive MoV® Foundation course provides a modular and case-study-driven approach to learning Management of Value (MoV). The core knowledge is structured and comprehensive; and well-rounded modules cover the methodology and various techniques. A case study is used to help appreciate the relevance of MoV in its practical application. What you will Learn Upon completion of an MoV course candidates should be able to discuss and explain: The main processes and techniques used within MoV and the reasons for using them How MoV may be applied at portfolio, program, project and operational levels The differences in applying MoV at different stages in a project and the expected outputs from a MoV Study at each stage The circumstances under which MoV should be used The concept of value and how value may be improved The main benefits arising from the use of MoV Approaches for implementing MoV How to respond to external and internal influences The principles of embedding MoV into an organization The key topics in document checklists, the toolbox, health check, organizational maturity and individual competence. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Organize and contribute constructively to a Management of Value (MoV) Study Demonstrate a knowledge of MoV principles, processes, approach and environment Analyse a company, program or project to establish its organizational value; includes identification and weighting of Value Drivers Pass the AXELOS MoV Foundation Examination Introduction to value management and MoV Value and Value Management Capabilities, Outcomes, Benefits and Disbenefits What is Value? What is Management of Value (MoV)? Why use MoV? Where use MoV? When MoV should be used? What using MoV involve? Selected MoV benefits Relationship with other AXELOS Global Best Practices and Models How MoV fits with other AXELOS Global Best Practice Guides MoV principles Align with organization's objectives Focus on functions and required outcomes Balance the variables to maximise value Apply throughout the investment decision Tailor MoV to suit the subject Learn from experience and improve Assign clear roles and responsibilities and build a supportive culture MoV processes Frame the programme or project Gather information Analyse information Process information Evaluate and select Develop Value Improving Proposals Implement and share outputs MoV techniques Function Analysis Function Analysis System Technique (FAST) Traditional (or classic) FAST Technical FAST Customer FAST Value Trees Measuring value Value profiling (a.k.a. value benchmarking) Simple multi-attribute rating technique (a.k.a. SMART) Value index Value metrics Value for money (VfM) ratio Value Engineering / Analysis Common techniques used in MoV Analysis of information Benchmarking Process Mapping Root Cause Analysis Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Generating Ideas Brainstorming Evaluation and option selection Option Selection Matrix Idea selection Allocation to Categories Idea Selection Matrix Weighting techniques Paired Comparisons Points Distribution Developing VIPs Developing Proposals Cost Benefit Analysis Building Decisions Implementing VIPs Implementation Plans Feedback Following up Tracking Benefits Approach to Implementation Generic approach to MoV implementation Plan the MoV activities Understand and articulate value Prioritize value Improve value Quantify value Monitor improvements in value Learn lessons Environmental factors Portfolio Considerations Programme considerations Project considerations Operational Considerations Embedding MoV into an organization Benefits of Embedding MoV into an organization MoV Policy MoV Policy Composition Embedding MoV into an organisation Key steps Suggested MoV Management Structure Overcoming barriers We do it anyway It takes up too much time We can't afford to make the changes What's in it for me? Don't fix it if it ain't broke Fixed returns on investment MoV products Briefing Meeting Agenda (A.1) Communications Checklist (A.2) Equipment list for an Effective Study/Workshop (A.3) Invitation to join the Study Team (A.4) Option Evaluation Matrix (A.5) Plan the Study (A.6) Recording Idea Selection (A.7) Reporting Study outputs (A.8) Scoping the Study (A.9) Study or Workshop Handbook (A.10) Value-Improvement Proposal Forms (A.11) Value Improvement Tracking Report (A.12) MoV toolbox MoV health check and maturity model P3M3 Maturity Model MoV Maturity Model (aligned with P3M3)
Learn the basics of financial awareness and better understand the language used by accountants and how financial statements fit together within organisations. Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) This workshop will provide participants with a grasp of basic financial awareness, to help them to better understand the language used by accountants and how financial statements fit together. Training is done in a jargon-free way that is aimed building attendees’ confidence in using financial terms and concepts within their organisation. Competent financial management has many aspects, it is wide reaching and requires multiple skills but if participants work to become organised and effective in planning, these skills can be easily acquired. There is a misconception that to be a good operational manager dealing with financial decisions people must be accounting or numerical geniuses. There are basic skills that attendees can easily learn that will support them in those areas. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Identify the importance of financial management and its impact Identify the link between financial information and decision making Set, manage, monitor and review budgets Analyse financial statements Demonstrate the link between the statements, budgets and decision making. Content Financial Management Budgeting process (generic / client specific if possible) Forecasting and re forecasting process The need for accurate forecasting Accrual v cash accounting revisited Financial Objectives of the business Users of the accounts Financial Tools Depreciation and Amortisation Accruals and Prepayments Deferred and Accrued Income Costs, Opex and Capex Financial Statements The Income Statement The Balance Sheet Understanding capital employed The relationship between balance sheet and income statement The cash flow statement Profitability: gross, operating and net margins Review of client’s management information reports Building the Business Case Break even analysis Discounted Cash Flow Discount factors Net Present Value (NPV) Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
About this Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) This 4 half-day Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) course will address a variety of contract and loan structuring issues associated with geothermal energy projects as well as comparison with solar, wind and battery storage. The course is designed to investigate how various project finance techniques and contract structures can be used to achieve a competitive power prices while maintaining a satisfactory equity return. Distinctive project finance features of power facilities that depend on geothermal, wind, hydro or solar resources will be evaluated with financial models. The course will cover economic analysis of exploration and development of geothermal facilities and how to incorporate probability of failure and success into an IRR framework. Subsequent sessions will address the theory underlying liquidated damages for delay, and performance as well as design of other incentives that is inherent in different contract structures. Nuanced project finance issues associated with structuring debt for renewable projects will be discussed including under what conditions the DSCR drives debt capacity and when the debt to capital ratio is instrumental. The course will be taught with a combination of theoretical discussions, term sheet review and focused financial models. Training Objectives Evaluation of the economic risks that arise from uncertainty associated with drilling exploration wells and development wells for geothermal projects. Analyse the theoretical issues with computing LCOE for geothermal projects compared to other renewable and non-renewable resources and the importance of cost of capital for renewable projects; Understand differences in contract structures for renewable projects and dispatchable projects and how a single price structure can distort incentives for efficient construction and operation; Understand components of financing that influence the bid price required to meet a required rate of return on equity and can result in relatively low prices with reasonable returns. Understand the importance of debt sizing constraints and what strategies are relevant when the debt to capital constraint applies relative to when the debt service coverage ratio drives the debt size; Understand how to compute P50, P90 and P99 for different projects driven by resource risk; Understand the difference between mean reverting resource variation and estimation mistakes that do not correct as the basis for 1-year P90 and 10-year P90. Understand under what conditions debt sculpting can affect returns and how synthetic sculpting can be used to increase returns when the DSCR constraint applies. Understand the theory of credit spreads, variable rate debt and interest rates in different currencies and compute the implied probability of default that in inherent in credit spreads. Understand how to evaluate the costs to equity investors and the benefits to lenders for various credit enhancements including DSRA accounts, cash flow sweeps and covenants. Course Level Basic or Foundation Training Methods The VILT will be delivered online in 4 sessions comprising 4 hours per day, with 2 breaks of 10 minutes per day, including time for lectures, discussion, quizzes and short classroom exercises. Trainer Your expert course leader provides financial and economic consulting services to a variety of clients, he teaches professional development courses in an assortment of modelling topics (project finance, M&A, and energy). He is passionate about teaching in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. Many of the unique analytical concepts and modelling techniques he has developed have arisen from discussion with participants in his courses. He has taught customized courses for MIT's Sloan Business School, Bank Paribas, Shell Oil, Society General, General Electric, HSBC, GDF Suez, Citibank, CIMB, Lind Lakers, Saudi Aramco and many other energy and industrial clients. His consulting activities include developing complex project finance, corporate and simulation models, providing expert testimony on financial and economic issues before energy regulatory agencies, and advisory services to support merger and acquisition projects. Our key course expert has written a textbook titled Corporate and Project Finance Modelling, Theory and Practice published by Wiley Finance. The book introduces unique modelling techniques that address many complex issues that are not typically used by even the most experienced financial analysts. For example, it describes how to build user-defined functions to solve circular logic without cumbersome copy and paste macros; how to write function that derives the ratio of EV/EBITDA accounting for asset life, historical growth, taxes, return on investment, and cost of capital; and how to efficiently solve many project finance issues related to debt structuring. He is in the process of writing a second book that describes a series of valuation and analytical mistakes made in finance. This book uses many case studies from Harvard Business School that were thought to represent effective business strategies and later turned into valuation nightmares. Over the course of his career our key course expert has been involved in formulating significant government policy related to electricity deregulation; he has prepared models and analyses for many clients around the world; he has evaluated energy purchasing decisions for many corporations; and, he has provided advice on corporate strategy. His projects include development of a biomass plant, analysis and advisory work for purchase of electricity generation, distribution and transmission assets by the City of Chicago, formulation of rate policy for major metro systems and street lighting networks, advocacy testimony on behalf of low income consumers, risk analysis for toll roads, and evaluation of solar and wind projects. He has constructed many advisory analyses for project finance and merger and acquisition transactions. Lastly, our key course expert was formerly Vice President at the First National Bank of Chicago where he directed analysis of energy loans and also created financial modelling techniques used in advisory projects. He received an MBA specializing in econometrics (with honours) from the University of Chicago and a BSc in Finance from the University of Illinois (with highest university honours). POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL) To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized 'One to One' coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Request for further information about post training coaching support and fees applicable for this. Accreditions And Affliations