Imarticus Learning – Page 347 – Finance, Tech & Analytics Career Resources

How to Become a CMO: A Complete Guide

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

A CMO or chief marketing officer is a professional who manages and controls a company’s marketing activities. Global marketing officer and marketing director also refer to the same position and many people in the marketing field want to achieve this position one day.

So, how can you go about doing that?

In this article, we will guide you through the steps of becoming a CMO if you are a marketing professional. You can take the help of an online CMO training program to speed up your career. But first, you must understand and get familiar with the responsibilities and career path of a CMO.

Who is a CMO?

A CMO or chief marketing officer is one of the top executive positions in an organisation’s marketing department.

A business offering different products or services must have its marketing game on point to increase brand awareness and boost sales. The marketing team handles the task of marketing products and services of the company to potential clients to boost sales. As the head of the marketing team, a CMO has to plan, strategise, manage, and control the marketing team to increase the sales and revenue of the organisation. Their shoulders carry a lot of responsibility in an organisation.

What are the responsibilities of a CMO?

If you want to become a CMO of the future, then you have to learn about the job role and responsibilities of this position. It is important to remember that the primary goal of this job is to not only expand the customer base and increase revenue but also give the organisation a competitive advantage in the market.

The primary responsibilities of a CMO include the following:

Research market trends and activities to understand how to increase revenue in the long run
A CMO has to oversee the organisation’s advertising and sales strategy and help the marketing team develop new ones
Plan marketing activities that can help increase sales. They also have to develop the marketing team’s structure
Negotiate contracts with advertisers and approve ad campaign ideas for the company
Ensure the marketing team and its strategies work in tandem with the company’s goals

What skills does a CMO need?

Now that you understand the responsibilities of a CMO, it should be clear that he/she needs to have a set of skills to reach the position. Here are some of the soft and hard skills you need to develop to become a CMO.

Soft Skills

Leadership skills
Communicative and interpersonal skills
Organisational skills
Analytical skills
Adaptive skills

Hard Skills

Knowledge of service management and marketing principles
Extensive legal, financial, and information technology knowledge
Digital and social media marketing expertise
Web development, data analytics, market research, public relations, and software knowledge
Experience in leading marketing teams and campaigns

Career path to follow if you want to become a CMO

Here is the career path of a CMO you can follow if you want to aim for the position. But remember that a CMO is a C-level executive position and it can take professionals some time to reach it.

Bachelor’s degree: Firstly, you will need a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a business-related field. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite to becoming a top-ranked marketing executive.
Master’s or equivalent: Getting a master’s degree or an MBA will also increase your prospects of reaching the top. But, if you cannot afford the money or time, then you can also take a certification course. Online certification courses on marketing are concise yet comprehensive. A professional certification can boost your career significantly.
Experience: Professional experience is a must in the competitive job market. No matter how many degrees and certifications you have, what companies look for in a candidate for such an important position is your experience in the field.

Develop your soft and hard skills to rise through the ranks. You can start by working as a social media coordinator, marketing analyst, or marketing executive and work your way up.

What is the salary of a CMO in India?

You must be wondering, what is the average salary of a CMO in India? Is the effort worth it?

The average salary of a CMO is about Rs 35 LPA. This makes it a financially rewarding and one of the most coveted jobs in marketing.

Conclusion

An online CMO program with executive certification can boost your employability with potential recruiters. You can look into the Imarticus IIM Raipur CMO Programme if you are an aspiring CMO. It’s a 10-month-long online training programme that offers masterclasses by CMOs as well as a curriculum designed for leaders of the future.

Is it Better to go for an MBA or for a Different Type of Master’s

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Given the present competition in the market, a master’s degree would suit an aspirant to upscale themselves. It is one of the crucial determinants of a successful career.

You will often ask yourself what to do once you finish a graduation degree. There are many options to choose from. However, choosing a worthwhile master’s degree would help you land senior-level job roles.

In this article, you will learn about whether you should go for an MBA degree or a different type of Master’s degree or not. This article would help you to understand different branches of MBA like an MBA in Fintech, or other taking up other master’s degree certifications that might perk up your career.

What is an MBA degree: Its coursework and job prospects

To put it into simple words, an MBA degree is an advanced course focusing on high-level business leadership and management skills. Potential employers look for MBA candidates for job roles that include leadership and teamwork.

There are several advantages to taking up an MBA degree. One of them is solely to learn the skills from one of the brightest minds in the business which would help you get valuable insights about companies and the current market situations. An MBA degree is a transforming experience- both professionally as well as personally.

A typical MBA coursework differs from school to school, but the basics tend to remain the same. It is an amalgamation of core curriculum and elective courses. The core curriculum is as follows:
Management.
Strategy.
Finance.
Marketing.
Ethics.
Communication.

Students can also dive into details on the above topics in their specific elective courses. These are called MBA concentrations or specialisations. They include:
Accounting.
Business Analytics.
Entrepreneurship.
Finance.
Healthcare management.

Doing an MBA offers you tons of job prospects. You can get jobs in top tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft and other accounting companies like Ernest and Young and Deloitte. The average salary of an MBA in these companies roughly is Rs.88,300 per year.

What is MBA in financial technology: Its future in finance

MBA in financial technology holds great prospects for students in the future. It is an interdisciplinary programme focusing on manpower development and managing the organisation using technology incorporated in Fintech service industries. The programme is tailored for graduates who are keen to learn about Fintech, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

An MBA in Fintech offers a lucrative career opportunity for not only engineers but also mathematicians, physicists and also undergraduates in business and commerce. The subject not only provides the aspirants with knowledge about financial management but also teaches the students about hands-on banking and financial tools, business values and ethics, and having a strong technological competence for research aptitude.

Once a student finishes the MBA programme, they have hands-on experience in banking software, and financial analysis tools and can provide critical solutions in an organisation.

Fintech in banking and finance: Its significance and impact in the finance industry

Fintech or financial technology has revolutionised the delivery of financial services through the usage of new tech. Fintech is now being utilised by companies and business owners to manage their financial operations by incorporating the use of specialised software and algorithms.

Fintech in banking and finance is no longer an elaborate jargon. It is now the biggest proof of the digital revolution in the financial markets. Fintech in banking has impacted numerous applications like mobile payments, digital wallets and many more. Fintech changed the financial industry in the following ways:

Smart Chip Technology: The incorporation of Smart Chip Technology has taken a massive leap in the progress of Fintech in banking and finance. The Smart Chip Technology increases the security of customers’ information since the code is valid for a single transaction.

Biometric Sensors: Biometric sensors are also one of the greatest achievements of Fintech. These sensors simply eliminate the need to carry your card or even remember your ATM pin.

Online Payments: Online payments have decreased the hassle of losing money. This has encouraged digital transformation immensely as it ensures the utmost customer safety. The entire transaction remains confidential to the customer and the banks providing them with social security.

Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence: Over the last few years, Artificial Intelligence and chatbots have been one of the major components of the Fintech industry. These help in solving customers’ problems quickly without any elaborative process. Furthermore, AIs also assist in tackling potential fraudulent transactions and ensure the customer’s safety.

Questions to ask before choosing a postgraduate degree
Before you choose to take up a credible postgraduate degree, you should ask yourself these three questions for clarity. This would help you decide your next academic milestone for upgrading your career.

What are your career goals?
Your career goals are a major factor before you choose your postgraduate specialisation. Once you determine what are your long-term career goals, you can choose the ideal postgraduate programme. This should, however, align with the knacks and qualities that you might possess for this particular job role.

What are your expectations from the course?
The second influencing factor that would affect your future decisions is what you expect from this particular course. You have to figure out what you wish to accomplish from the degree you are choosing.

How much time would you be giving to this course?
Time management plays a crucial role in this case. Any postgraduate degree programme is a two-year course. You need to ask yourself carefully whether you are ready to commit to such a course given your academic or professional circumstances.

Conclusion
Be it an MBA degree or any other Master’s degree, they both hold an important role in upscaling your career. Now that there are many opportunities open for taking up programmes online, one can easily enrol in one from the comfort of their home.

If you are interested in MBA in Fintech and learning in detail about cryptocurrency, check out Imarticus’s Learning’s Fintech programme in collaboration with KL University. It is a full-time two-year course with a 100% placement record.

You get to learn about the important components of Fintech, like blockchain, cryptocurrency, AI and other important features. You need to search, “KL MBA in Fintech” to get the details online. Check out their website right away!

Learn the best programming languages to become a full-stack developer

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

What makes a great full-stack developer? Since a full-stack developer is responsible for all the layers in a single product development, it takes many skills to build great products. A full-stack developer should be able to use most of the tools and techniques to build large-scale applications. We see new tools, frameworks and programming languages emerging daily with the recent technological revolution. A Full Stack Developer Online Course is often a perfect way to start.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best programming languages for full-stack development.

Python

Python has been a top programming language for modern back-end web development and is just as useful for aspiring full-stack developers. The language is beloved by developers for its versatility and relatively straightforward syntax. Additionally, Python can support many different programming styles and is especially adept at data visualisation.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a powerful coding language highly valued among developers, second only to Python. JavaScript is popular because we can use it for various purposes, such as making websites more animated, dynamic and engaging. In web development, JavaScript creates complex style declarations, supports high-level math calculations and references content from other web pages.

HTML

As one of the most widely used coding languages in web development, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is a markup language that defines the structure of a web page through tags. These tags tell a web browser how to display the page’s content, such as specifying the header with the tag. One can use other tags within HTML to display different elements like titles or relevant links.

CSS

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is one of the most commonly used coding languages in front-end development, next to JavaScript and HTML. CSS creates an appealing design, including the colour and style code added to HTML structural elements.

SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a versatile programming language used in several databases. It’s mainly used for managing and updating records and accessing and changing databases. Since websites almost always use back-end data storage, SQL provides a strong foundation in database literacy – which is essential for full-stack development, especially regarding software dealing with sensitive data.

Java

Java is a versatile, high-ranking programming language essential for full-stack developers to learn. It is primarily used in back-end web development but can be applied to many other software types. Java is a powerful tool that can be applied to countless software construction, maintenance and conceptualisation scenarios.

MEAN

MEAN is a stack of web frameworks used by full-stack developers that have become quite popular among developers as of late.

It includes:

MongoDB

Express.js

AngularJS

NodeJS

Thus its name is MEAN.

Each framework has its purpose; learning them allows you to begin full-stack development much more quickly. The best part is that you don’t need to learn different full-stack programming languages to use the MEAN stack – it is entirely based on JavaScript.

PHP

PHP is a popular server-side scripting language used by web developers to develop web pages written in HTML, as well as for databases and handling data on web servers. Full-stack web developers find this open-source language valuable because a large online community broadly supports it. Additionally, it is an ideal language for developing web-based applications. We can also use it for developing advertising and media apps.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best programming languages for full-stack development, you should consider the frameworks and languages with the greatest demand. Several sites have lists of the most popular programming languages for full-stack development. Still, you should consider looking at the job market and salary earnings when determining the best language.

Everything you should know about k-means clustering

Posted on February 28, 2023April 1, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Data is the foundation of the Data Science function. With businesses generating a lot of unstructured data, machine learning frameworks help with handling unlabelled data. The entire domain of Unsupervised Learning under machine learning works on unlabelled data.

As we want to understand how data is organized under machine learning, clustering plays an integral role in this function. Clustering can also handle labelled data apart from handling unlabelled data. As the name suggests, clustering is used for grouping similar data together. One such technique of clustering is known as K-Means Clustering. It is one of the most common forms of clustering.

What is K-Means Clustering?

K-Means Clustering is a type of unsupervised machine learning algorithm used to group similar data points. The goal of the algorithm is to partition a dataset into K clusters, where each cluster contains similar data points. The number of clusters (K) is specified by the user and is one of the inputs to the algorithm.

The algorithm works by first randomly initializing K centroids, which are the centre points of the clusters. The data points are then assigned to the closest centroid based on their Euclidean distance. After all data points have been assigned to a centroid, the centroid positions are recalculated based on the mean position of the data points in the cluster. This process is repeated until the centroid positions no longer change or a maximum number of iterations is reached.

The K-Means Clustering algorithm is sensitive to the initial placement of the centroids, so it’s common to run the algorithm multiple times with different initial centroid positions to ensure that the final clusters are stable.

Use case of K-Means Clustering

K-Means Clustering is a widely used algorithm in many fields, including image and speech recognition, market segmentation, and anomaly detection. It’s also used as a preprocessing step in other machine-learning algorithms.

The key goal of K-Means Clustering is not just to make clusters but to create useful and meaningful clusters. It is critical that the data points in a cluster and closer together and far away from other clusters.

How does K-Means Clustering work?

The key goal of K-Means Clustering is to find out clusters in the provided dataset. It can either be done by trial and error where the value of K keeps changing till we can create the best clusters. Another method is the elbow technique to find out the value of K. The value from the centroid and the number of centroids are critical for the proper functioning of this method. Accordingly, it uses those points to the corresponding centroid where the distance is the least.

Benefits of K-Means Clustering

There are several benefits of K-Means Clustering. The key advantages of K-Means Clustering are as follows:

Scalability

One of the key advantages of K-Means Clustering is its scalability, it can handle large datasets, and also it’s computationally efficient.

Pattern Identification

It can also be used to identify patterns and structures in the data that are not immediately obvious.

Adaptable

The K-Means Clustering can be adapted to new examples easily. As a result, it is one of the most common methods of handling unlabelled data.

Drawbacks of K-Means Clustering

Along with several advantages, there are some drawbacks of K-Means Clustering. The key drawbacks of K-Means Clustering are as follows:

Size of Clusters

One major drawback of the K-Means Clustering algorithm is that it assumes that the clusters are spherical and equally sized.

Density

K-Means Clustering also assumes that the data points within a cluster are dense, meaning that there are no large gaps between data points. This can lead to poor results if the data does not meet these assumptions.

Specific Knowledge

K-Means Clustering requires us to specify the number of clusters (K) in advance, which can be a challenge when the number of clusters is not known. Also, It’s not guaranteed that the final clusters will be optimal, or even meaningful, for the problem at hand.

It is important to pre-process the data in the case of K-Means Clustering. We need to convert the dataset into numerical values in case data is not already present in the prescribed format before calculations can be performed. We should also understand that applying feature-reduction techniques would improve the speed of the process.

IIT Roorkee Machine Learning Certification Course

The Machine Learning Certification Course from iHUB DivyaSampark at IIT Roorkee and Imarticus Learning can help us learn about K-Means Clustering and other techniques to help us build a data scientist career. The Machine Learning Certification Course from IIT Roorkee covers several modules which help provide an in-depth understanding of various topics in the field of data science and machine learning. The IIT Roorkee Machine Learning Certification Course has been designed by IIT faculty for early and mid-level professionals that provide live training by IIT faculty and campus immersion opportunity at IIT Roorkee.

What are demand forecasting basics and its features

Posted on February 28, 2023April 5, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Basics of demand forecasting

Demand forecasting is a term used in business planning to test the future demand for products or services. Depending on this assessment, a company further plans its operations, inventory, and supply chain management. Demand forecasters consider all present or past sales figures, experiences, and knowledge to predict what customers will want in the future.

It is important to note that generating predictions is only the first step toward demand forecasting success. Success depends upon how the forecasts make informed decisions.

These decisions include product pricing, product direction, hiring, and company expansion. Moreover, the prime focus remains on helping the firm avoid overproduction and underproduction. In a nutshell, demand forecasting helps control all the marketing efforts and aspects of a modern business.

Various techniques or methods help in creating demand forecasts. Some ways include the following:

Collective opinion

Market experiment

Regression analysis

Consumer survey

Time series analysis

Delphi method

Each technique has its features that help in achieving different objectives. Therefore, the technique selection depends on the goals and requirements of the forecast.

Features of demand forecasting

Here are a few key features of the demand forecasting technique. Knowing these features can help choose the suitable method:

Time Horizon

The length of time that a forecast needs bears a great impact on the method of forecasting. When the time horizon increases, the probability of marginal forecasting error decreases.

Level of Detail

The forecasting method depends on the level of detail needed in the data. Also, this data must match the focus of the decision-making unit. For instance, a production or sales planning unit will do demand forecasting at an individual level. In contrast, the corporate planning department will need a high-level total forecast by product categories.

Stability

The method for demand forecasting can vary with stable times and fluctuation. While stable time requires lesser attention, it is difficult to forecast the periods in greater flux as they need lots of attention. In stable conditions, the ongoing patterns are a good option to continue with and put the past patterns into future use.

Data Pattern

Different forecasting method uses different patterns to identify and assume the data. So, it is best to choose a method that fits the need for data and its underlying relationships.

Cost

Improved and accurate forecasting procedure is a costly affair! The expenses also vary from forecasting methods and several costs. So, when a company finalizes its forecasting technique, it should be in sync with the firm’s economy.

Ease of Application

The chosen method must be easy to understand and use. Organizations must be able to interpret the result and use it for maximum benefit.

Other factors that affect Demand Forecast

Apart from these above-mentioned method-led features, several other factors affect the organization’s ability to forecast and predict demand. Let’s explore them here:

Customer factor

Both customers and potential customers affect demand. Of course, happy and loyal customers will stick to the product and generate referrals. But in case the business deals with solving service problems and not with the products, then forecasting becomes tricky!

If the competitors bring a better problem-solving approach, then the past sales data and knowledge become meaningless. Therefore, incorporating the marketing department’s plans into forecasts is a must.

One-offs events

Any single event can skew the historical data. For instance, if an organization’s name features on a TV show or any celebrity endorses it in any event, this one-off event can spike sales for that quarter or year. However, the company cannot consider the same projection in next year’s forecasting.

Future uncertainties

Various subtle changes or happenings can change the entire trajectory of demand. Even if the company has the most accurate predictions, the underlying forces are always at play! From unexpected price regulations or a new competitor to a viral video on social media and a global pandemic, certain uncertainties always loom around businesses!

A Career Option in Supply Chains

With the increasing demand for forecasting among businesses to make critical considerations in supply chain management and other marketing management, there is also a growth in their career options. Several Career Certifications For Supply Chain Professionals are available to help learners gain expertise in this scientific exercise of demand prediction. IIT Roorkee Supply Chain Management Course stands out as the best among them!

Futureproof your career with Imarticus Learning

IIT Roorkee Supply Chain Management Course has a design module that trains candidates with cutting-edge experience handling demand forecasting. This Career Certifications For Supply Chain Professionals equip them with the skills to succeed in high-demand job roles like supply and operations planner, demand planner, supply planner, data scientist, etc.

An extensive overview of corporate banking with its benefits

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Corporate banking is a unique segment of the banking sector. This segment exclusively serves large-scale businesses or corporations. It offers products and services that are relevant to corporations that are typically publicly traded.

Today, a mix of investment banks and commercial banks serves corporations. Services offered include cash management, processing of payments, credit products, and business valuation. Banking serving corporations also provided a direct link between corporations and opportunities to engage with the capital markets. The design and delivery of hedging strategies for large corporations is also a key service.

Hence, the stakes of working in corporate banking are significantly high. From our perspective, ambitious professionals wishing to chart a career in corporate banking must equip themselves with key skills. They also need hands-on experience to excel.

Professionals with at least two years of experience can pursue a Financial Services and Capital Markets Course. Further, we explain more about this career path and training opportunities.

Rise of corporate banking

The last 10 years have seen a rising demand for Corporate Banking services. Corporations seek these specialized services to increase profitability and access funding for their growth needs. Per statistics, corporate banking is expected to grow at a rate of 7.5% from 2023 to 2027. Over the next five to ten years, we foresee several factors influencing corporate banking.

Advances in tech-enabled solutions will transform the segment. This shift will make services more efficient and accurate in their delivery.

Another key factor is the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing. Evolving regulations demand ESG compliance.

Corporations are also looking at superior risk management analysis. They expect corporate banking specialists to offer advice that helps reduce risk.

Working in this sector

Ambitious professionals can explore opportunities with the leaders of the corporate banking world. With the right skill set, they can compete with the best in the business.

Companies hiring corporate bankers include UBS Group, Goldman Sachs Group, Credit Suisse Group, Citigroup Inc, Wells Fargo & Company, Deutsche Bank AG, DBS Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Bank of America Corporation, and Morgan Stanley.

Key skills needed

Corporate bankers must have an in-depth understanding of the financial needs of corporations. Their role is to engage with corporate clients and offer services based on their requirements. These can include investment banking, access to capital markets, and risk management.

Banking is also a highly regulated sector. Hence, corporate banking professionals must be able to predict their impact on client outcomes.

Here is a snapshot of the skills and knowledge base one has to cultivate:

Corporate Finance and Accounting.

Financial Valuation.

IB and Equity Research.

Capital Markets.

Financial Services and Treasury.

Fintech.

Corporate Banking and Structured Finance.

Financial Risk Management and Compliance.

Here’s our recommendation on how ambitious professionals can build the skills to excel.

Pursue IIM-Lucknow certification courses

No doubt, one can explore learning through free resources on the internet. However, corporate banks prioritize credentials, knowledge, and skills when hiring. Pedigree institutions such as the IIMs offer compact, knowledge-rich six-month virtual programs that enable aspiring corporate bankers to upskill.

For instance, IIM Lucknow certificate courses help you learn the ropes of financial services and capital markets in-depth. This exposure enables learners to grow a competitive edge in the continuously evolving banking segment.

Such programs also enable learners to spend quality time on campus and build offline engagement with faculty and co-learners in this journey. This experience is as valuable as the online experience.

Build real-world experience

Corporate banking is a dynamic world. Corporate bankers are responsible for the fate of large amounts of wealth. For instance, in 2022, one of India’s largest banks merged with its sister corporation, which offers housing loans. The deal amounted to $ 40 billion. Corporate bankers played a key role in seeing the deal through.

Overseeing transactions of such a huge ticket size is impossible with mere bookish knowledge. This is where superior Financial Services and Capital Markets Courses offer learners an advantage. Learners are nudged to participate in live projects.

How to know if you’re ready for CFO leadership training

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Introduction

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the top position for managing a company’s finances. The CFO is responsible for a company’s overall financial health. His job encompasses everything from financial planning to making the right strategies for financial growth. These are the main reasons why there is considerable stress on CFO leadership training.

Eligibility Criteria to become a CFO

As the head financial executive, the CFO oversees all the company’s financial matters. Moreover, he is also responsible for treasury functions and all compliance with financial regulations. So, becoming an efficient CFO needs a combination of education, experience, and specialised skills.

Some standard qualities for becoming a CFO are :

A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Many CFOs also hold an advanced degree, such as an MBA or a Master of Science in finance.

Experience in leadership roles like financial analyst, controller, or treasurer is preferred.

Practical experience with financial management software. Moreover, knowledge of data analytics gives the candidate an extra edge.

Professional certification such as a CPA, CFA, or Strategic CFO course is preferential.

Yet, the eligibility for becoming a CFO varies from company to company. Even then, there is no alternative to a professional with proper CFO leadership training.

Necessary Skills for Becoming a Top CFO

Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Being a CFO requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Such skills enable the CFO to develop and put in place financial strategies. Moreover, his ability to analyze financial data aids in making informed decisions. Such decisions include identifying cost savings opportunities mainly, besides managing risks and solving financial problems.

Furthermore, the CFO has to analyze trends and patterns in financial data. It helps to identify potential risks to the company’s financial health. This way, the CFO can find potential solutions by addressing problems.

Financial Acumen

Financial acumen is another critical skill. It allows the CFO to understand and navigate complex financial concepts and data. It further helps in managing the company’s financial performance. Thus, having a deep understanding of financial statements and data is a must. Budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis help in making informed strategic decisions.

Additionally, knowledge of relevant laws and regulations is also essential. This includes knowledge about financial reporting, taxes, and accounting standards.

Strategic Thinking and Flexibility

A CFO’s job is just not about numbers crunching. He must be able to think strategically and take appropriate decisions. Such decisions must align with the organization’s goals and objectives. The process includes short-term and long-term financial planning.

Furthermore, the ability to adapt to changing business dynamics is also essential. Thus, forecasting and re-forecasting are fundamental for a CFO. After all, this flexible approach can build resilience in challenging situations.

Leadership and Excellent Communication

As the overall in charge of the finance team, the CFO has to function neutrally. This way, the CFO can identify the gaps or blind spots and can decide whether to hire or outsource.

Moreover, the CFO also has to present complex financial information. Various stakeholders, executives, and investors need an understanding of such information. So, effective communication of financial strategies and plans to others is essential. After all, the CFO must be able to explain the rationale behind his decisions.

Tech-Savvy

Being able to use various financial software and tools is another necessary skill. These tools can help in managing financial data and automating financial processes, thus, boosting productivity.

Moreover, familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools can be an added advantage. Knowledge of technological trends like blockchain, AI, and cloud-based solutions help. The CFO can consider improving the efficiency of financial management through these trends.

Risk Management

As the first line of defense, the CFO plays an essential role in a business crisis. Limiting and mitigating the effects of any business crisis is the duty of the CFO. But, the job is beyond just managing financial risks. So, the CFO should be able to identify potential threats. Moreover, the CFO should be able to implement the necessary steps for crisis management if the need arises.

How does CFO Leadership Training help?

With changing business dynamics, the strategic CFO course is the need of the hour! It equips the candidates with comprehensive learning of management and financial services. From business valuation to risk management, the CFO leadership training covers everything.

Final Words

If you have the qualifications and want to be a top CFO, you can learn from IIM-Indore and industry experts! This 12-month Postgraduate Certificate programme can change the game for emerging CFOs. Enrol in CFO training online today for a successful CFO career tomorrow.

Financial Valuation Analysis: Market Price Vs. Intrinsic Value

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Building a robust business valuation requires determination, commitment and a high level of customer service. There are several ways of financial valuation of a business. The two we will discuss here are market value and intrinsic value.

As we learn financial analysis, we will always find fans of either of the two concepts with their logic. However, it is critical to understand the totality of concepts to judge each financial valuation concept’s importance and suitability in applicable cases.

These concepts are usually used to value a company and its stock price. Here is all you need to know about the market price and intrinsic value:

What is the market price?

As the name suggests, the market price is the price of the stock in the market. The process of demand and supply determines this price. If the company shares receive strong demand from the public, its market price will go beyond its book value. It is because there are people in the market looking to buy stock in demand.

With the ever-changing demand and supply equation, overvaluation and undervaluation are normal occurrences in the market. It doesn’t mean that a stock should be bought, sold or considered for either of the two in case it is overvalued or undervalued.

The market price of a stock is an indicator of the market’s current behaviour toward the stock. If the price increases, there is more demand for the stock compared to supply and vice versa.

What is Intrinsic Value?

Intrinsic value is also known as book value. Intrinsic value is the total value of an organisation’s assets after deducting the total liabilities. It may seem like a simple calculation in theory, but a business may own tangible and intangible assets with an ever-changing valuation in the real world.

For instance, a business may own office buildings, machinery, factories etc. At the same time, patents, copyrights, and goodwill are the intangible assets of an organisation. Tangible assets depreciate consistently and can change in value with the economy and consumer tastes. Intangible assets like the value of goodwill can change with one crisis for the business.

Similarly, the value of patents and copyrights can change with the value they bring to the table.

Intrinsic value is a type of fundamental financial analysis of a company. There are various models like discounted cash flow and current liquidation value to arrive at the intrinsic value of an organisation.

Difference between Intrinsic Value and Market Price

Both concepts – Intrinsic Value and Market Price – are two different models of financial accounting and valuation that are used in specific cases. It is important to have clarity on both to have a clear picture of operations. Here are the key differences between intrinsic value and market price:

For an investor

From an investor’s perspective, it is better to have a strong intrinsic value than a market price. If the intrinsic value of a business is high, investors view it as a good investment opportunity.

For a company

It is easier to find a publicly listed company’s market value than a private company. For an organisation, both these are different ways to value the business. Intrinsic value is the estimate of the actual value of the organisation that is separate from how the market values it.

Application

The basic application of concepts can be applied to the buying and selling of assets. For instance, when the intrinsic value of an asset is high compared to its market price, the asset should be bought. Similarly, when the intrinsic value of an asset is low and the market value is high, the asset should be sold.

What is the price-to-book ratio?

There is hardly a scenario where the intrinsic value will be equal to the market price for a long time. As these concepts are valid and can operate independently, both these values will likely differ.

The difference between intrinsic value and market price is known as the price-to-book ratio. In the price-to-book ratio, the price is the current value of the stock in the market and book value is the price that an investor would receive if the company is liquidated.

Concepts like this and many others have been explained in-depth in the Financial Analysis Prodegree Course from Imarticus Learning. The course has been launched in collaboration with KPMG in India and offers to teach job-relevant skills in financial analysis and valuation. Covering concepts like accounting and financial modelling, valuation and corporate strategy, equity research, M&A, and Job readiness, the financial analysis and valuation course helps you excel in your career with practical teaching and active participation.

How to leverage fintech capabilities to create value in your finance career

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Industries are becoming dependent on technology. The finance industry is no exception. The pace at which fintechs are registering growth is amazing. They have transformed how we do banking, avail insurance services or make investments. The rise of fintechs benefits customers who are now getting efficient financial services. But it is also beneficial for job seekers and those with careers in finance. Fintechs are presenting newer opportunities. We need to develop important finance skills to change careers.

One of the best ways is to enrol in a fintech program. But before that, let’s learn about the skills you need to create value in your finance career.

Important Skills to Leverage Fintech Capabilities

Here are some of the important skills you need for a career in the FinTech world:

Use of Technology

We need to develop our tech knowledge to prosper in the fintech industry. It’s not limited to certain tools and techniques. Behind a fintech, there are various technologies in play. This includes Application Programming Interface (API), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), cloud computing, IoT etc. It is important to understand the use of these technologies. You need to learn how they help fintechs revolutionise financial services.

Learning Everyday Tools Like Advanced Excel

Another important skill is to learn everyday tools like advanced excel. Excel is one of the most used tools in any industry. The formulas in excel can automate calculations. You need to know how to use formulas and keyboard shortcuts. It creates great value in your workspace.

Leverage Financial Modelling

Financial models allow companies to learn about historical performance, current financial situation, etc. It helps them assess and make accurate predictions. This helps to get deep insights into the current financial situation. One can measure performance against previous graphs.

Data Visualisation

Data visualisation is nothing but visualising the data to derive meaningful conclusions. Here, data is transformed into engaging visuals. It offers a snapshot of the information. It helps the users understand the data better. Learning about data visualisation can help you add great value.

Understanding Fintech

The above skills can be useful to add value to our finance career. But what is more important is a thorough understanding of how fintech work. Fintechs are revolutionising the financial services industry. The way they operate is different from the conventional financial service organisations. We can learn more about fintechs through the following modes:

a) Certificate in Finance and Technology

These are academic programs with a key focus on the fintech environment. These fintech programs can provide deep insights into how the fintechs operate. You learn about current challenges, emerging technologies, etc. It prepares us for future roles in this industry holistically.

b) Employment in a Fintech Company

What could be more beneficial than gaining practical experience in fintech? Job in fintech companies allows us to understand the fintech industry at the ground level. We learn about the various challenges that fintechs face and how they overcome them. Further, we also learn how the fintechs are coping with changing technology, industry and regulatory environment. It allows us to put the academic knowledge gained in the fintech program into practical use.

Best Fintech Courses in India

Both the above ways of understanding fintechs are important. The former focuses on enhancing our knowledge. The latter focuses on providing practical insights. The finance and technology certificate is a gateway to entering the fintech industry. Leverage your fintech capabilities to create value in your finance career with proper knowledge.

Imarticus Learning offers Professional Certificate in Fintech. It was designed with the SP Jain School of Global Management. It is Asia’s premier fintech program and one of the best fintech courses in India. It empowers you through a comprehensive curriculum with real-world case studies. You get hands-on training from industry experts and practical projects. It also offers opportunities to interact with leading fintech entrepreneurs and leaders.

This course has everything from strategy to hands-on training for using various technologies. Further, we also get to implement our learning through a visionary fintech project that can bring a paradigm shift in business operations. It’s time we adapt to the changing financial environment and leverage fintech capabilities to prosper in our finance careers.

Training-on-the-go: Marketing Blueprint for Long-Term Social Media Success

Posted on February 28, 2023April 6, 2024 by Imarticus Learning

Building a robust presence on social media platforms is a necessity for businesses. Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, etc., continue to attract a large user base that engages and interacts with each other.

On average, global internet users spend around 2 hours and 27 minutes daily on various social media platforms. Therefore, it has become necessary for brands to set up and manage social media marketing teams with the expectation that the business can create a lasting impact on these social media platforms.

Building a career in social media marketing requires structured social media marketing training. Effective use of social media is usually part of any robust digital marketing online training or digital marketing certification course.

After having gained structured learning to use social media for business success effectively, the focus should be on developing a marketing blueprint for long-term social media success.

Here is how to focus on developing a marketing blueprint for long-term social media success:

What is a marketing blueprint?

A marketing blueprint helps a business improve the customer experience by understanding the promises and values of the brand. All businesses must have a marketing blueprint as it helps create a roadmap or a timetable that puts across the marketing goals for the business along with the target timeline.

A marketing blueprint is also essential because it helps identify activities’ impact in achieving the brand’s marketing vision and the possible challenges that need to be tackled.

How to create a marketing blueprint for long-term social media success?

Building a marketing blueprint for long-term social media success requires a business to clearly understand the goals and what it means to be successful on social media. For one brand, it can be about the likes and followers, while another may focus on engagement or conversions from social media.

We can follow the following steps to create a marketing blueprint for long-term social media success:

Set the right goals

Setting the right goals from the very start to stay focused as the social media strategy unfolds on various platforms is critical. Digital marketers should decide on goals like engagement, follower count, conversion, etc., at the start of creating an efficient blueprint.

Establish values and promises

Once the team is clear about the goals set for the social media efforts, it is time to decide on the values and promises the brand wants to be known for. This can be an extension of the overall marketing strategy where the same values and commitments are followed on social media platforms. It will also help them decide on the brand tone and messaging on social media platforms providing an omnichannel experience to the consumers.

Focus on the target audience

As the users on social media platforms have a short attention span, it is critical to focus on the right target audience to grow the brand’s influence among the target consumers. With the right target group in focus, marketing efforts can gain good results in the early phase itself.

Build brand awareness

After identifying the target audience, it is time to grow brand awareness by building content that resonates with them. Avoid creating promotional content in this phase and build solid brand awareness.

Grow the audience

It is equally important to grow the audience as it will make more people aware of the brand and its efforts. One efficient way is by relying on monitoring and listening techniques to understand the various topics, trends, and hashtags relevant to the business and industry. With a deep understanding of how to grow the brand’s core audience, teams can set social media efforts for long-term success.

Boost engagement

After companies achieve a sizeable audience, depending on the size of the business and industry, it is time to align efforts to boost engagement within the community. Having a smaller but engaged community on social media is better than having a large following without real engagement.

Generate leads and sales

Use social media efforts to build a consistent pipeline of leads and sales for the business. Once digital marketers have created a sustained community of engaged followers, it is the right time to start pushing promotional content that helps build leads and sales for the business.

The steps outlined above can help create a marketing blueprint for a brand’s long-term success on social media.

Our Postgraduate Program in Digital Marketing helps explain several insightful concepts and case studies.

The various modules in Imarticus Learning digital marketing certification course can help better understand how to create a lasting impact on social media and other digital platforms. The course helps provide digital marketing online training, including social media marketing training and the different facets of digital marketing, and how to use it efficiently for business success.