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Day: March 31, 2020

Is it Possible to Up-skill My Career to Crack Interviews?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Here’s the story of Swapnil Wade and how he transformed his career through upskilling.

I completed my graduation in April 2019 in B.Com – Computer Applications with a distinction.

After graduation, I appeared for interviews at banks but was not able to crack any of them. That’s because I think, I didn’t have the skill set that was required for the job role. After my last interview, I received confirmed feedback that, yes, I was indeed lacking the skills and knowledge necessary for the dream jobs that I was applying for.

First, I researched on my own about the skills that were required for the investment banking and finance industries. After seeing many Imarticus Learning reviews, I came to Imarticus, and the counselors told me about the CIBOP course. I instantly joined, and I haven’t looked back since.

Upskilling gave me a competitive edge that many former classmates didn’t have.

Upskilling helped me a lot. Earlier, I didn’t have the knowledge required on crucial topics like derivatives, money market, and so many more. However, after coming to Imarticus and joining the CIBOP Investment Baking course, I was able to answer the same questions which I was not ready to tackle earlier. I used to fumble a lot but after doing this course, now I say that I can answer all IB-related questions with confidence.

I think many of my former classmates are still struggling to find a job without upskilling. Some of them are still looking for jobs; some have them in their hand but are not happy with what they’re doing. This is because they don’t have the required skills for the jobs they actually desire. This is precisely why I feel that upskilling is very important to get the job of your dreams.

Imarticus Learning helped me land a most-coveted job.

I think the competition in this field is growing every single day, but actual job roles are less. So, your skillset is the most essential factor you possess to get your desired job. I can confidently say I do not lack anywhere now, in terms of skills. I have enough knowledge and backing through Imarticus Learning to get my desired job.

Looking to Upskill Your Career but don’t know where to start? Chat with our counselors today.

What Are the Tools of Financial Analysis?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Understanding Financial Analysis

Financial Analysis can be understood as the process in which the financial stability and profitability of a business or a project are determined by using various analysis techniques. It is also used to find out profitable investment opportunities and longevity of the business. It helps the managers to make informed future business decisions by acting on the predictions. In addition to this, it also helps managers to understand the historical business trends and paints a holistic picture of the organisation.

From a broader perspective, the financial analysis techniques are categorised under two types – Fundamental analysis and Technical analysis. The process of fundamental analysis is centred on finding the intrinsic value of the stocks or the business. It uses various ratio analysis techniques that rely on the data provided in the financial statements to determine the financial health of the business. It also takes a comprehensive view and evaluates the overall economic stability of the organisation. The technical analysis is different from fundamental analysis. Its main emphasis is to make future predictions based on past and current statistical data. It relies on the market information about the stock of an enterprise to come to any conclusion. It is carried out using various charts and trading patterns of the securities.

Tools of Financial Analysis

Now that we have understood what financial analysis is and what it entails, let’s delve deeper into the subject and find out the tools of financial analysis.

  • Common Size Statements: Common Size Statements are income statements in which each item in the statement are expressed as the percentage of a base metric. Each line item is expressed as a percentage of sales or revenue that helps to facilitate the analysis. The market is very diverse and organisations are operating at various scales, to make the comparison viable the units should be expressed in terms of percentage. This format of representing the financial data is globally accepted. Common size statements include a common size balance sheet that uses the total asset as the base value, common size income statement that uses revenue as the base figure, etc.
  • Ratio Analysis: Ratio analysis is the technique deployed in the fundamental analysis process to find out the intrinsic value of the security or the enterprise. Ratio analysis uses relevant figures from the financial statements to calculate various ratios. There are various types of ratios that are calculated to establish a comprehensive financial picture of the organisation. The ratios that are generally calculated to assist in the financial analysis include Profitability ratio, Rate of return analysis, Solvency ratio, Liquidity ratio, Turnover ratios, Business risk ratios, Operating profitability ratios, etc.
  • Benchmarking: In the benchmarking technique the actual financial figures and estimates are compared with the benchmark or standard figures set by the top-level management of the organisation. Benchmarking techniques can also put the best practices in the industry as the standard and organisations are required to meet the same. The process of benchmarking includes selecting the area or segment that needs to be optimized, identifying trigger points for comparison, setting up the standard or benchmark figure, evaluation of periodic performance, checking whether the performance matches the standard or not. If it doesn’t match the benchmark then the process is followed by variance analysis.
  • Comparative Financial Statements: The comparative financial statements are used in carrying out the horizontal financial analysis process. It helps in measuring period changes in financial variables and establishing the pain points of the business. It can be prepared in absolute or percentage form. The advantages of comparative financial statements include easy comparability, timely evaluation of financial performance, etc.

Why Is It Important To Do A Financial Analysis?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

What Do You Understand By Financial Analysis?

Financial analysis can be defined as the process to evaluate the financial position of a business, project, individual segment, etc. The process is carried out to measure the profitability and viability of the business or the project that is being evaluated. It involves applying various financial techniques to obtain a comprehensive picture of the organization’s economic wellbeing.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of financial analysis techniques. The first can be called the Fundamental analysis and the second can be called the Technical analysis technique.

The Fundamental analysis technique uses the method of ratio analysis to obtain a holistic picture of the organization’s financial wellbeing. It focuses on computing the intrinsic value of the stock which is later compared with its market value to establish if it’s undervalued or overvalued.

The Technical analysis, on the other hand, uses market statistics to evaluate the current and past patterns and then incorporate that to predict future price movements of the security being evaluated.

Financial Analysis Objectives

Reviewing historical performance and trends

One of the main objectives of carrying out financial analysis by organizations is to measure past performance and make future predictions based on the assessment. The review is carried out by assessing the historical trend of profitability, cash flow, sales, Return on Investments and other similar metrics.

Evaluating the present position of the enterprise

To determined and assess the financial health of the organization it is imperative to examine the current profitability figures and operational efficiency. It also helps with the long term decision making which requires evaluating the assets and liabilities of the firm. It also helps with measuring the earning capacity of the firm and its overall operational efficiency.

Making predictions about growth and profitability

Profitability and growth prospects are the main concern of top-level management because the longevity of the firm is contingent on that. Financial analysis helps to evaluate different investment opportunities for the firm and find out the most profitable investment avenues that help in maximizing the revenue. In addition to this, it helps in predicting future economic trends that might affect the firm either positively or negatively.

Decision making in the credit risk process

One of the most crucial aspects of conducting financial analysis is to find out the creditworthiness of an individual or a company for providing loans. The analysis helps banks and other lending institutions to minimize credit risk by not providing loans to high-risk borrowers.

Significance Of The Financial Analysis

Now that we have an understanding of the financial analysis concept, let’s delve into why it is significant for various stakeholders to the organization. Financial analysis is an important process that is carried out while weighing various investment opportunities or the performance of a business entity.

From assessing the performance of financial instruments like bonds, stocks, etc. to guide on the financial needs of an organization, financial analysis helps in multiple ways. Some of the major applications of financial analysis are listed below.

  • Evaluating the efficiency of the operational processes of the organisation
  • Assessing and evaluating the performance of top management of an enterprise
  • Analysing and evaluating the creditworthiness of the company and measuring its financial standing in the industry
  • Predicting future economic trends and movements and how it’ll affect the organisation
  • Analysing the different assets and liabilities held by the organisation and their relevant impact
  • To evaluate whether resources are being used judiciously keeping efficiency and effectiveness in mind
  • To evaluate the system of internal control and regulations
  • To measure the firm’s ability to pay off its debts both short and long term
  • To measure the firm’s ability to generate cash and maintain cash flow

What Is Investment Banking Course?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

What Is Investment Banking?

Investment banking is one of the most sought after career choices in the Finance industry. The lucrative remuneration and added privileges to information make it a dream job for many young finance enthusiasts. What exactly is an investment banking and what do the high profile investment bankers do?

Investment Banking can be understood as a discipline or division in the Finance and Banking Industry that specializes in providing investment solutions and capital creation for various government and private organizations.

The main role of investment banks is highlighted in underwriting new securities, sale of securities, facilitating mergers and acquisitions deals, guiding profitable investment avenues and complex financial instruments.

In addition to this, the investment banks also help in assessing the worth and creditworthiness of an organization, structuring deals for clients during mergers and acquisitions process and to plan and manage the financial aspects of projects carried out by the government and private enterprises.

During the underwriting process, investment bankers act as middlemen and mediators between the company issuing new securities and the investors looking for profitable investment opportunities. They leverage their vast network and expertise to connect both parties into a profitable agreement.

They guide the corporations in pricing financing instruments and navigating through strict guidelines of financial regulators. In Mergers and acquisition deals, investment bankers safeguard the interest of their clients by finding the right business to acquire or to merge with.

This includes conducting thorough industry-wide research and individually researching the companies shortlisted for probable M&A deals.

The Investment Banking Course

Most people eying for a career in the financial services industry or specifically into investment banking are puzzled with how to get into the investment banking industry and get their first breakthrough into this highly rewarding career prospect.

How to get into this industry is very subjective and is contingent on what stage of your career you are at presently. Those who are already into the Finance industry and want to specifically get into the role will eye for the investment banking course as it’ll provide them with in-depth knowledge about the industry and its functioning.

The investment banking courses are specifically designed for professionals who want to get an in-depth understanding of the core investment banking process. It aims to provide hands-on knowledge and skills to become a successful investment banking professional. It focuses on multiple aspects of the investment banking field such as equity research, corporate finance, financial modelling, portfolio management, Capital market, mergers, and acquisitions, etc.

People who are still in college or about to start their majors can plan it in an organised way by choosing relevant subjects that’ll help their ultimate career goals. They can start by opting for a Bachelor’s degree in statistics, economics, commerce or related fields.

For getting into top-notch investment banks, a Master’s in Business Administration with specialisation in Finance is a must, other ways to get into the game is by opting for more specialised investment banking courses like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program, Financial Risk Manager (FRM), etc.

Equity research and financial modelling are some of the important aspects of investment banking and are more on the technical side of it. Financial modelling courses are also considered among the important investment banking course which will help you perform the job more effectively. The specialised courses give you an edge in the game and help you with your career goals.

The investment banking course aims to impart core investment banking knowledge. It guides the individual on various aspects of the investment banking industry like equity research, corporate finance, portfolio management, etc. 

How To Get Into Data Science From a Non-technical Background?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Whatever you wanted to learn can change with time, and it seems like you have decided to dive into the field of data science. It is a vast field that is growing every day. In today’s modern era, every person can be defined with data, every person is data, data is strength.

Every day uncountable MBs of data are produced and so there is a demand of data scientists. If you have mathematics/statistics in your backdrop then it becomes easy to aspire for a data scientist. But, if you are from a non-technical background, more hard work would be required from you, and you can join the field of data science.

Without big data analysis firms wander into the world like a man in the woods. There is a demand for data analysts nowadays, so if you enhance your skills to the anticipated level, jobs would be hunting you. If you don’t have the pre-requisite of statistics or programming, the first and foremost thing is to enroll yourself in such courses. Udacity, KDnuggets, Dataquest, etc. are some platforms that can provide you online courses in data science.

They also provide certification which proves to be helpful when you toil for a job. But remember, education should also come. If you keep your focus maintained then data science is a very interesting field. Certification is secondary, if you have the knowledge, your value will automatically increase in the market. All the talks of big data and analysis, not many people understand it. It is a trendy field so many talk about it just for the sake of talking. Real knowledgeable people are valued when we are talking about data science.

Once you have enrolled yourself in a course, you can find new ways to brush up your knowledge. You can dive into real-life data analysis projects. There is much free data sets out there for various kinds of projects like criminal records, census reports, cause of death count, etc. They are available on the internet and you can use them for better interpretation and analysis.

Indulging yourself in a project will enhance your statistical skills and practical knowledge will help you when you will be seeking for a job. Also, you can join various data science communities and learn what is best suited for you. You can also follow data scientists on different social media sites to learn their perspectives on data science.

The field of data science is vast, but you have to gain knowledge. Without knowledge, nothing ever happened and nothing will. Since you are from a non-technical background, there is no substitute for hard work. If you have a mentor in this field, then it is even greater. Because sometimes, learning a new technology is not going to be easy.

Proper guidance will help you in investing your time for the right thing. You will also want to learn programming languages as an analysis of such large sets of data is done with the help of machines. Hadoop and R languages are widely used for data science and analysis.

They help in parallel usage of data at multi-points. Keep yourself updated with news and blogs so that you know which thing is in demand nowadays. The statistical approach to data science will also require a lot from you including real-time computation. And at last but the least, keep trying.

Once you have the knowledge and the skills, keep looking for the job until you find it, yes, it is going to be hectic but that’s how everyone starts! And who knows, one day you can provide jobs in data science if you keep learning and keeping your focus towards your goal.

Rapid E-Learning Development The What, The Why, and its Benefits!

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

To create eLearning designs, the instructional designers used to design them from scratch but with the latest developments, using templates, they can build rapidly and effectively. Rapid development is necessary when the learning and development charges require thorough analysis while there is also a constant need to make the best choices to meet the dynamic learning needs faster.

What is Rapid eLearning Development?

Rapid eLearning Development is an online learning development methodology which is one of the truly beneficial ways to save time and reduce costs on training people successfully. It also helps lower the web-based course development charges. Rapid eLearning Development is suitable for many companies that train their employees. However, it is not useful in designing complex training materials that may need highly interactive elements. Rapid eLearning Development is suitable for compliance and sales businesses.

Rapid eLearning courses can be developed within two or three weeks and require a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to start sourcing the content to be designed. There are several rapid authoring tools that help organize the content on design software. Some of the prominent ones are Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Articulate Studio’13, Lectora, Mohive, and Adapt, etc. These tools do not require technical expertise for developing the content or course. Using the “Easy Publish” option, the desired standards can be created like SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 or standalone. Most courses can be created using standard templates from authoring libraries which may need basic interaction and assessments.

Why use Rapid eLearning Development?

The five most crucial steps involved in developing high-quality online courses rapidly are:

  1. Set goals which are clear and realistic
  2. Make sure that the learning content is ready
  3. Choose the right rapid authoring tool
  4. Utilize the full potential of the templates
  5. Employ Agile process for developing eLearning courses

In the past, the average time required to design an hour of training required about 70 hours but with the latest advancement, this time has gone down by 40%. It is highly essential that the developers should be able to save time on developing simpler courses.

In traditional eLearning projects, the SMEs share their raw content with the designing team which develops storyboards, which pass to the visual and graphic designers and programmers who usually do not have the knowledge or experience of the subject. Rapid eLearning development increases the engagement from Subject Matter Experts in a continuous manner, ensuring a process of working closely with the Instructional Designers resulting in inaccurate content delivery.

Rapid eLearning development can be used in scenarios where the content changes quickly, or when it has short life such as the policy updates, or when the content needs to be designed for immediate or urgent use such as new hire training. The scenarios where rapid development fits perfectly are:

  • Projects where SME-based content is crucial
  • Projects that have a closer deadline and need to go live quickly
  • Projects with tight budgets

However, rapid development may not always be the best option. Complex topics that need to be taught in detail require more time and involvement from the SMEs, meaning the team needs to spend more time designing the final course using more engaging methods, ensuring full participation.

A fully coordinated development is essential between the SMEs and the designers to make sure the training is created and delivered without losing engagement from either party involved in the process from the beginning to the end of the training development.

Benefits of Rapid eLearning Development

The primary benefit of rapid eLearning development is faster turn-around time. It can be handled by SMEs, reducing the need for other resources like Instructional Designers, Graphic Designers or Visual Designers, etc.

The main benefits of rapid eLearning development can be summarized as:

  • Reduced development costs
  • Faster turn-around time
  • Creating on-the-spot training
  • Companies can derive the best inputs from the SMEs to their full potential
  • Better management of updates and developments to the courses

Best practices to Increase the Success of Rapid eLearning Development Courses

To create, develop and deliver and content on a regular basis without failing to meet the needs of the learners as well as ensuring the delivery of the exact content requires thorough practice and experience. To make sure of this, the following best practices can be helpful:

Keep in mind the deadlines: Identify the time-frame between the arrival of raw content to the content going life. Evaluate the suitability of the project and content to the rapid eLearning development.

Choose the right tools: SMEs need to be familiar with the tools being used. Lack of knowledge of the tool may be risky and impacts the go-live date.

Finalize raw content before beginning the design: For rapid eLearning to really be rapid, ensure that the raw material is full and final without needing further changes. Once developed, the content should not have to be revised again, saving a lot of time in return.

Choose correct templates: Learners need to spend time exploring through screens. Thus, the need for a suitable template never ends. Always choose the right template which provides the desired visual impact.

Introduce the right and relevant interactions: Scenarios and pauses at the right places throughout the courses can help understand the real-world dynamics.

Keep assessments simple yet effective: With adequate and effective assessments at the end of the course and knowledge checks in between the course work great.