Course in Enhancing Your Understanding of Strategic Decisions and Corporate Finance

In today’s rapidly evolving economic environment, the ability to make sound strategic decisions and align them with effective financial practices has become a cornerstone of sustainable corporate success. The program "Enhancing Your Understanding of Strategic Decisions and Corporate Finance", offered by Geneva Institute of Business Management, is meticulously crafted to provide participants with a comprehensive framework to evaluate and align strategic choices with financial realities. The course delves into essential concepts that bridge strategic thinking and corporate finance, empowering decision-makers to assess investment opportunities, manage risk, and support organizational growth through informed financial planning.

Target Group

• Executive leaders and board members who are directly involved in shaping the strategic direction and long-term vision of their organizations.

• Financial and strategic planning managers responsible for aligning financial strategies with corporate objectives and business expansion plans.

• Business development professionals and financial consultants seeking to deepen their insight into the intersection of strategic planning and financial decision-making.

• Entrepreneurs and owners of start-ups and growing businesses aiming to make well-informed investment and funding decisions to ensure sustainable growth.

• Professionals working in investment and risk analysis units, looking to enhance their analytical toolkit for supporting high-stakes decisions.

• Individuals pursuing career advancement in corporate finance or strategic management, who seek advanced, applicable knowledge to strengthen their expertise.

Objectives

• Clarify the connection between corporate strategy and long-term financing decisions, using practical frameworks that enhance the consistency and coherence of strategic choices.

• Strengthen the ability to assess investment decisions through a strategic lens, evaluating financial implications, risk exposure, and alignment with business objectives.

• Deepen the understanding of corporate financing instruments and their optimal applications, based on a company’s lifecycle, capital structure, and market context.

• Enable participants to evaluate financial risks related to strategic choices, incorporating sensitivity analysis and scenario planning in the decision-making process.

• Equip participants with the ability to align financing strategies with growth and expansion initiatives, without compromising financial stability or operational agility.

• Empower participants to apply financial analysis as a core tool for strategic decision-making, fostering value creation and enhancing competitive advantage.

Course Outline 

1. Introduction to Strategic Thinking in Business

• Understanding the distinction between strategic and operational planning.

• The role of vision and mission in strategic decision-making.

• Key external and internal factors influencing corporate strategy.

• How strategic analysis shapes organizational priorities.

2. Financial Foundations for Decision-Making

• Core principles of corporate finance and their strategic implications.

• The link between cash flows, profitability, and business value.

• Interpreting financial statements to support strategic insights.

• Capital cost and its role in investment evaluation.

3. Evaluating Long-Term Investment Decisions

• Applying Net Present Value (NPV) in investment assessments.

• Using Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to compare project alternatives.

• Recognizing non-financial variables in investment decisions.

• Understanding project life cycles and financial demands.

4. Corporate Financing Strategies

• Overview of internal vs. external funding sources.

• Short-term and long-term financing tools.

• Debt vs. equity: advantages, disadvantages, and timing.

• How capital structure influences performance and risk.

5. Managing Strategic Risk in Financial Decisions

• Identifying types of financial and strategic risks.

• Integrating risk analysis into investment planning.

• Tools for mitigating exposure and uncertainty.

• Embedding risk frameworks into decision processes.

6. Expansion, Mergers, and Acquisitions

• Strategic drivers behind business expansion.

• Financial evaluation of mergers and acquisition opportunities.

• Integration and cultural challenges in corporate mergers.

• Financing options and implications for large-scale growth moves.

7. Financial Policy in Times of Economic Volatility

• How inflation and interest rates impact financing choices.

• Strategies for maintaining liquidity under uncertainty.

• Managing working capital effectively in unstable markets.

• Balancing debt levels to preserve financial flexibility.

8. Governance and Its Impact on Financial Decisions

• Core principles of sound corporate governance.

• The governance-finance relationship in strategic contexts.

• Board-level responsibilities in overseeing financial choices.

• Ethical considerations in allocating financial resources.

9. Linking Strategy to Financial Performance

• Evaluating company performance through a strategic lens.

• Balancing profitability, growth, and stakeholder expectations.

• Economic Value Added (EVA) and other performance indicators.

• Reviewing strategic plans based on financial outcomes.

10. Future Trends in Corporate Finance

• Integrating sustainability into financing frameworks.

• Leveraging fintech tools in financial decision-making.

• Exploring alternatives like crowdfunding and venture capital.

• Global developments influencing capital structure decisions.