8019 Object courses

Better Business Cases™ Practitioner: Virtual In-House Training Better Business Cases™ is based on the Five Case Model - which is the UK government's best practice approach to structuring spending proposals and making effective business decisions. Using this best-practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the practitioner course is to develop a candidate's ability to deliver a comprehensive business case, through encouraging expanded knowledge to guide the practical application of theoretical foundations. Upon the completion of this Practitioner course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and to establish the relationships between the five cases Apply the steps in the business case development framework, in order to support the production of a business case, using the Five Case Model, for a given scenario Overview of Better Business Cases Alignment with the strategic planning process Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model Overview of the Five Case Model Purpose of the key stages in the development of a spending proposal Purpose of a Business Justification Case Business Case Development Process Purpose of project / programme assurance and assurance reviews Responsibility for producing the Business Case Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment Scoping the Scheme and Preparing the Strategic Outline Case Planning the Scheme and Preparing the Outline Business Case Procuring the Solution and Preparing the Full Business Case Implementation and monitoring Evaluation and feedback Making the Case for Change Agree on the strategic context Determine spending objectives, existing arrangements, and business needs Determine potential business scope and key service requirements Determine benefits, risks, constraint, and dependencies Exploring the Preferred Way Forward Agree on critical success factors Determine long list options and SWOT analysis Recommend a preferred way forward Determining Potential Value for Money Revisit the short list Prepare the economic appraisal for short-listed options Undertake benefits appraisal Undertake risk appraisal Select preferred option and undertake sensitivity analysis Preparing for the Potential Deal Determine the procurement strategy Determine service streams and required outputs Outline potential risk apportionment Outline potential payment mechanisms Ascertain contractual issues and accountancy treatment Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement Prepare the financial model Prepare the financial appraisals Planning for Successful Delivery Plan programme / project management Plan change and contract management Plan benefits realization Plan risk management Plan programme / project assurance and post project evaluation Procuring the Value for Money Solution Revisit the case for change Revisit the OBC options Detail procurement process and evaluation of best and final offers (BAFOs) Contracting for the Deal Set out the negotiated deal and contractual arrangements Set out the financial implications of the deal Ensuring Successful Delivery Finalize project management arrangements and plans Finalize change management arrangements and plans Finalize benefits realization arrangements and plans Finalize risk management arrangements and plans Finalize contract management arrangements and plans Finalize post-project evaluation arrangements and plans

Better Business Cases™ Foundation and Practitioner Using this best-practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the combined foundation and practitioner course is to develop a candidate's ability to deliver a comprehensive business case through encouraging expanded knowledge to guide the practical application of theoretical foundations. Upon the completion of this course, a candidate will be able to start applying the model to a real business case development project. The outline presented in the course overview will be addressed in the first 2 days, with the Foundation exam conducted on the morning of Day 3. Then the topics will be revisited at a deeper level, for 2 more days, with the Practitioner exam conducted on the afternoon of Day 5. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Develop the lifecycle of a business case and establish the relationships between the five cases Apply the steps in the business case development framework, in order to support the production of a business case, using the Five Case Model, for a given scenario. Overview of Better Business Cases Alignment with the strategic planning process Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model Overview of the Five Case Model Purpose of the key stages in the development of a spending proposal Purpose of a Business Justification Case Business Case Development Process Purpose of project / programme assurance and assurance reviews Responsibility for producing the Business Case Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment Scoping the Scheme and Preparing the Strategic Outline Case Planning the Scheme and Preparing the Outline Business Case Procuring the Solution and Preparing the Full Business Case Implementation and monitoring Evaluation and feedback Making the Case for Change Agree on the strategic context Determine spending objectives, existing arrangements, and business needs Determine potential business scope and key service requirements Determine benefits, risks, constraints, and dependencies Exploring the Preferred Way Forward Agree on critical success factors Determine long list options and SWOT analysis Recommend a preferred way forward Determining Potential Value for Money Revisit the short list Prepare the economic appraisal for short-listed options Undertake benefits appraisal Undertake risk appraisal Select preferred option and undertake sensitivity analysis Preparing for the Potential Deal Determine the procurement strategy Determine service streams and required outputs Outline potential risk apportionment Outline potential payment mechanisms Ascertain contractual issues and accountancy treatment Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement Prepare the financial model Prepare the financial appraisals Planning for Successful Delivery Plan programme / project management Plan change and contract management Plan benefits realization Plan risk management Plan programme / project assurance and post-project evaluation Procuring the Value for Money Solution Revisit the case for change Revisit the OBC options Detail procurement process and evaluation of best and final offers (BAFOs) Contracting for the Deal Set out the negotiated deal and contractual arrangements Set out the financial implications of the deal Ensuring Successful Delivery Finalize project management arrangements and plans Finalize change management arrangements and plans Finalize benefits realization arrangements and plans Finalize risk management arrangements and plans Finalize contract management arrangements and plans Finalize post-project evaluation arrangements and plans

The Quintessential Customer Experience (QCx) Forum is a ‘peer advisory’ community of communications and Cx professionals whose primary objectives are: To help members keep abreast of the latest CX developments To share best practice across different industry sectors. To provide individual support, advice and guidance for members Membership includes quarterly meetings, team coaching, 1:1 mentoring and online resource. Benefits The QCx Forum benefits both the CX professional and the organisations they work for. Employer Benefits include: Benchmarking performance against organisations in different sectors Keeping up to date with latest trends Maintaining competitive advantage through exceptional customer experience. Individual Member Benefits include: Inspiration for new ideas and approaches Guidance and advice to implement new strategies Support and reassurance from peers What’s included: The current membership package* includes: Forum Meetings Quarterly ‘Mastermind Group’ gatherings in person at a London venue. Each meeting features a specialist speaker providing insights about new trends and best practice. Team Coaching Attendees have the opportunity to share and solve key CX-related challenges they face.  1:1 Mentoring Support Members have access expert mentors to develop new strategies, gain valuable new knowledge and enhance their professional growth. Online Resource Members have access to a dedicated portal providing access to useful templates, tools and articles. * The first annual conference is planned for 2024 Membership Fees and options Three options are available: Essentials - quarterly Forum meetings, team coaching and online resources. £1,400.00 (ex VAT) pa Standard annual membership - includes quarterly forum meetings, team coaching, 4 x 1:1 mentoring sessions and online resource.  £3,600.00 (ex VAT) per annum Platinum membership - over and above the standard membership, includes an intensive quarterly programme of bi-weekly coaching sessions  £4,700.00 (ex VAT) per annum Credentials The Chair of the QCx Forum is Quentin Crowe MA, FCIM. His CX consultancy journey began in 2001 working with clients in the fitness and education sectors. Using an adaptation of the SERVQUAL methodology, he and his team have worked with clients in the charity, quality assurance, construction and cutout sectors (including ISG). Quentin also mentors entrepreneurs, senior marketers and corporate executives. He also chairs a number of ‘mastermind’ groups.  Brands represented include Shell, Asahi, Reuters and St James’s Place Welsh Management.

Managing for Growth is designed for anyone who has management and leadership responsibilities within an organisation. Suitable for newly promoted managers, team leaders and supervisors through to senior managers; the objective of the programme is to develop a culture that will translate strategy into measurable outcomes by engaging these leaders to facilitate change and innovation. The programme is extremely effective at giving managers the tools and skills to deliver sustainable change and business growth. It's also been proven to reduce costs and increase profit – even before the programme has ended.   Managing for Growth is built upon three aspects common to every job:   Managing Resources. Ensuring that the resources available are appropriate for the tasks for which they are required and are being used effectively. Learning how to control and coordinate a mix of available resources for maximum efficiency. Managing Relationships. Positively influencing people’s behaviour in order to motivate them and promote effective working. Focusing on listening skills, we share ways to improve communication and teamwork to get the best from both internal and external relationships. Controlling Routines. Investigating the processes/systems/routines/series of actions that are linked together to achieve a desired outcome. Recognising the importance of controlling, developing, simplifying and following routines.   Managing for Growth shows your team leaders, supervisors and managers how to cultivate a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement within your organisation.   Focus for Action Throughout the programme the participants take part in work-based activities that will cause them to evaluate every aspect of their job and identify areas for improvement. By the end of the programme, the participants act on these action lists and implement improvement projects that will deliver measurable results.   Continuous Improvement Managing for Growth sets the framework for continuous improvement by transferring skills and knowledge enabling your team leaders to translate organisational strategies into real, measurable outcomes.   Format Designed for groups of up to 6 people, the programme is spread over 4 months with the first 7 sessions being held every 2 weeks and the final session a month later. Each session lasts approximately 2 hours.

Technology and innovation and its profound impact on financial operations Technology adoption indeed comes with risks, particularly around data security and privacy. As CFOs, we must ensure robust cybersecurity measures and adhere to strict data protection regulations. It requires ongoing investment in secure systems, staff training, and proactive monitoring to mitigate risks and protect sensitive financial information. Change management is also crucial. The adoption of new technologies requires proper planning, training, and cultural adjustments. As CFOs, we need to foster a culture that embraces innovation and continuous learning. Clear communication about the benefits and objectives of technology adoption is essential to gain buy-in and drive successful implementation. Fantastic insights! Now, let’s discuss the future. What emerging technologies do you foresee shaping the future of finance functions? One area that holds immense potential is blockchain technology. Its decentralised and transparent nature has the potential to streamline financial transactions, enhance auditability, and revolutionize supply chain finance. We’re closely monitoring blockchain’s development and exploring pilot projects to leverage its benefits. I agree, blockchain is a game-changer. Additionally, as the internet of things (IoT) expands, we anticipate new opportunities and challenges. CFOs will need to adapt to the influx of real-time data from interconnected devices, leveraging this information to optimize financial processes, enhance risk management, and improve operational efficiencies. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts or advice for our CFO audience? Embrace technology and view it as an opportunity rather than a threat. Invest in understanding the technological landscape and its implications for finance. Stay curious, adapt, and be open to change. Technology will continue to evolve, and as CFOs, we must evolve with it. Absolutely. Collaboration is key. Engage with IT teams, industry peers, and external experts to stay informed about the latest technological advancements. By fostering partnerships and sharing knowledge, we can collectively navigate the ever-changing technology landscape and drive innovation within our organisations. https://www.fdcapital.co.uk/podcast/technology-and-innovation-and-its-profound-impact-on-financial-operations/ Tags Online Events Things To Do Online Online Conferences Online Science & Tech Conferences #technology #innovation #financial #impact #operations

Identifying, attracting and shortlisting candidates for the recruitment process to fulfil the requirements of the business brief.

Attracting candidates and matching them to temporary or permanent job positions with client companies.

Ensuring an efficient flow of goods and services between manufacturers and their skilled trade customer base.

Ensuring learning and development contributes to improved performance in the workplace at an individual, team and organisation level.

An M&A specialist is a senior CFO with a proven track record of overseeing and implementing mergers and acquisitions. An M&A specialist is a senior CFO with a proven track record of overseeing and implementing mergers and acquisitions. They may be hired on a full-time basis and carry a full CFO workload or can be recruited on a part-time or interim basis to focus on a specific merger or acquisition. This flexibility is ideal for start-ups and SMEs who don’t have the budget to recruit a full external team to oversee an M&A or to hire a full-time CFO. The CFO is a link between both companies engaged in the M&A, acting as the eyes and ears for both the board and CEO. Their financial skills enable them to identify potential M&A opportunities and incorporate risk management into their strategy to get the most value out of their deal. Most companies evolve their approach to mergers and acquisitions organically, especially those who rely on an M&A specialist instead of having a dedicated team that works solely on M&A. The CFO is responsible for considering any potential acquisitions, crunching the numbers involved, and ensuring due diligence. They’ll be responsible for determining the value of a potential M&A and presenting it to the company’s board and leadership team to determine whether to make the purchase. An M&A specialist is responsible for gathering the data – including both positive and negative factors – to present an objective look at the other organisation and the potential value the acquisition could bring. CFOs will spend most of their time getting to grips with the numbers involved, long before presenting the M&A proposal to the board. This exercise also requires them to have real-time insight into their own company’s performance, value, and finances to paint a wider picture. An M&A specialist will take the critical steps of ensuring that the numbers presented to them are correct. CFOs who don’t specialise in M&As will still have the skill set required to oversee the process but may lack the efficiency and unique insight of an M&A specialist. Companies that are exploring the option of a merger or being acquired by another company may also decide to recruit an M&A specialist to prepare their accounting. The organisation will want to ensure they present the correct numbers to get the correct valuation and prevent any delays further in the process if incorrect numbers pop up. Getting on top of the data early can enable CFOs to plan accordingly. Most will want to provide extra time within their strategy for any potential hiccups along the way. Spending more time on the data early on can speed up the process while still ensuring due diligence is met. Visit our website to learn more https://www.fdcapital.co.uk/mergers-and-acquistions-specialist/ Tags Online Events Things To Do Online Online Networking Online Business Networking #finance #insights #cfo #mergers #acquisitions