What are demand forecasting basics and its features

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.

best supply chain management and analytics training

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

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.

advanced program in financial services and capital markets

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

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?

chief financial officers course

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

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.

Financial Analyst Courses

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

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

 

best fintech course in India

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

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.

digital marketing course

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.

11 Innovative Ways to Improve Data Visualisation

Organisations gather a huge volume of data each day. This data, in its raw form, is messy and unstructured. It conveys no meaning. One can find patterns and trends only when refined and presented in a certain way. Data visualisation helps in doing so. The process transforms an unrefined and raw dataset into a form that can be understood and provides insightful information. Thus, data visualisation enables data scientists to deliver the story they want to convey using the data.

data analytics course

As with any form of storytelling, data visualisation requires creativity, design skills and the ability to explain the information most simply and efficiently as possible. Data analysts use several strategies to ensure that their data sends a clear and compelling message. One can learn these strategies as part of data analyst training.

Some of the best ways to improve data visualisation are listed below:

Decide the message you want to convey.

You should clearly know what you want your audience to take away from the visualisation. A dataset means nothing to a viewer until you give it meaning. Once you know what you want your data to stand for, you can design and present it that way.

Clean up and understand your dataset.

A thorough analysis of the dataset is essential before it can be visualised. Clean up your dataset and eliminate elements that do not contribute meaning, particularly when dealing with a large dataset. Only when you reach a conclusion based on the data can you convey it to others.

Choose the best graph type for your data.

Different charts and graphs are used to depict different forms of data. For instance, a line plot is used to show numerical trends over time, a bar graph is used to compare data values within the same category, and a pie chart shows the proportional distribution of data points within a specific category. Depending on your data and what you want to do with it, you can find which graph fits it best.

Keep things simple.

Choose simple charts and structure your data in a way that’s easy to understand. The better you know something, the more simply you can explain it.

Pay extra attention to the text.

You can neither make your visualisation completely text-free nor fill it with redundant text. Your visualisation usually has a title, label and legends. A title needs to be precise and easily understandable. Labels should also be simple and readable. Legends must be thought carefully as they should make understanding graphs easier.

Use colours in the right way.

Colours are an essential component of visualisation. Depending on how you use it, they can either enhance your visualisation or make it confusing. Avoid using too many colours and the same colour for the same data.

Keep your audience in mind.

The type of audience will impact the design of data visualisation. Depending on the audience’s familiarity with the subject, you will decide the level of explanation required and the design elements to be used. For instance, charts for internal stakeholders will look different from those designed for external audiences.

Reduce density.

Don’t try to cram everything on one chart. If there is too much information or too complex, illustrate it using more than one chart. Use whitespaces to help your readers focus and comprehend the information better.

Make use of dynamic visualisation.

Using dynamic visualisation can make your data highly insightful. Interactive visualisations where the viewers can remove some categories of data can help them understand the graph better. Gifs can also be used to depict the same base graph over different periods or conditions to demonstrate changes in the data.

Reduce dimensions.

When several dimensions are shown in the graph depicting different measurements for each data point, it will only confuse the audience. They will find it difficult to find or understand patterns. Thus, use a few dimensions to convey the meaning of your dataset.

Mention the source of the data.

Include the link to the original dataset to make your data visualisation as unbiased and objective as possible. Be honest about the assumptions you made, the data that was omitted and how you reached a particular conclusion.

The skill of data visualisation is essential to learn for data scientists. The data they gather and analyse can be of use to people only if appropriately designed.

At Imarticus Learning, we offer the perfect Data analytics course with placement. Our Postgraduate Program in Data Analytics and Machine Learning focuses on data visualisation with Tableau and PowerBI and other job-relevant skills. All graduates and professionals (up to 5 years of experience) with a technical background are eligible to apply.

Apply now to begin your journey as a data expert.

What You Need To Know About IIMs Online Courses For Working Professionals

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is among the top business education institutions in India, with a solid track record. Few people know this, but they also have online courses for professionals. The job market today has become very competitive. Owing to this, working professionals have to upskill and stay updated in their field. One way to do this is through IIM online courses.

However, people still need to be more confident about taking online courses. A recent survey shows that 70% of employers accept online education as equal to an offline degree. Moreover, 50% of students now take at least one online course during their learning phase. Therefore, IIM online courses for working professionals are becoming more popular. Moreover, as we head into a more digitised environment, it will continue to multiply.

How IIM Online Courses Affect Organisations?

IIMs have recently started providing online courses for working professionals. Various IIM certificate courses can have a positive impact on the organisation. By taking this course, they can:

  • Improve skills and knowledge
  • Keep their position
  • Boost company reputation
  • Increase competitiveness
  • Boost revenues

IIM online courses certainly impact any organisation’s workforce.

About Imarticus Learning

Imarticus Learning is one of the best educational institutes in the country. It has various courses that are popular among working professionals in the finance and business domains. Moreover, Imarticus Learning has centres in several cities throughout India, It also offers online courses.

The company designs its courses with industry experts in various fields. The relevant courses are based on the present market. It recently announced a new course in collaboration with IIM Raipur. The course will begin on February 18, 2023.

The 10-month programme is best for professionals in the mid to senior-level positions. The course’s main aim is to help them counter the various market challenges.

How Will Imarticus Learning Help Organisations?

Imarticus Learning can benefit organisations in many ways. It provides opportunities for employee education and development. This helps organisations to adapt to current industry trends. It also enhances the organisation’s competitiveness in the marketplace.

These are the reasons for choosing Imarticus Learning’s IIM online courses:

  • Industry-focused courses: Courses in financial services and business analytics promise better jobs.
  • Practical experience: They provide students with practical experience through internships and projects. It can prepare them for real-world scenarios and job market challenges.
  • Industry partnerships: Imarticus Learning designs its courses with the help of industry experts. This ensures that the curriculum is current and relevant to industry trends.
  • Flexibility: Imarticus Learning has centres in several Indian cities. They provide IIM online courses to give students location flexibility and the mode of study.

How Successful is Imarticus Learning?

Imarticus Learning has partnered with titans of industry. During the last decade, the company has partnered with various leaders like Capgemini, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank, to name a few. The company claims 85% of its students get jobs in the world’s largest and most well-known companies.

It has partnered with as many as 500 firms, and the list is growing yearly. This is due to cutting-edge innovation and a robust staff of mentors.

Final Thought

The IIMs are India’s top business schools. They offer a wide range of online management and related courses. Working professionals can advance their education and careers through Imarticus Learning. Imarticus helps to upskill and succeed in chosen fields.

So, if you are looking for a way to upgrade yourself, then IIM online courses for working professionals are an incredible choice.

What is Activity-Based Costing and Management?

According to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) terminology, Activity Based Costing and Management, often abbreviated as ABC, is a technique for activity costing and monitoring. This method entails tracing resource usage and costing final outcomes. Managers can use this strategy to have a better understanding of product and customer net profitability. This improves the business’s ability to make value-based and thus more effective decisions.

Mastering the Activity-Based Costing and Management system can be challenging but can be conquered with the help of an accounting and finance certification like the CMA course. Keep reading to know more about the ABC technique and how enrolling in the CMA program can be beneficial for mastering this technique.

What is Activity-Based Costing and Management?

ABC is an accounting system that allocates expenses to activities rather than items or services. This allows for a more accurate allocation of resources and overhead costs to the products and services that consume them. 

How Does Activity-Based Costing and Management Work?

certified management accountant course

If you want to master this method, take up an accounting and finance certification like the CMA course. Here is an overview of how an Activity-Based Costing and Management system works:

  • The first stage in ABC is to determine the activities that contribute to the production process of any product and then divide them into cost pools. This is the most important part of the process.
  • There are numerous tasks that must be done away with in businesses. These activities do not add value to a product. Identifying non-value-added activities in the manufacturing process will aid in focusing attention on removal by optimising the production process.
  • The third step is to identify cost drivers. A cost driver is defined as any factor that causes a change in the cost of an activity. An activity may be associated with multiple cost factors. This step in the ABC technique identifies the elements that determine the activities that drive a cost.
  • The workforce of any corporation has to be extremely cooperative in order to successfully pull off the ABC strategy. The next step is to efficiently train staff and disseminate knowledge on the ABC method.
  • The final step is to constantly be vigilant about the procedure. People involved in higher managerial roles must strictly keep an eye on the system as and when it is employed. They must periodically do follow-ups and remain in constant touch with their staff to avoid any probable hindrance to the smooth functioning of the system. 

Why is Activity-Based Costing and Management Important?

The ABC method is known for its numerous advantages. Here are some of the benefits that it might give businesses:

  • The ABC approach helps in increasing the profitability of an organisation. Businesses using this method can generate better revenue and profits. This method helps businesses develop more efficient procedures, identify areas for improvement, and price products more optimally.
  • The ABC strategy aids in determining which areas of the business could benefit from any change introduced. This method helps businesses analyse the costs allocated to specific areas or operations. Understanding these factors better helps organisations boost cost efficiency and manage expenses well.
  • The ABC method aims to identify every activity that leads to the creation of a product or service. It helps in eliminating functions that do not add value. This helps an organisation in cost-cutting.
  • Businesses can improve their processes by incorporating the ABC technique into their accounting procedures. Understanding the manufacturing overhead allows for greater precision in calculating real production costs.
  • A better understanding of manufacturing overhead enables a more precise calculation of actual production costs. Hence employing the ABC methodology can prove to be advantageous for businesses if they aspire to optimise their business processes.

Limitations of Activity-Based Costing and Management?

Like all systems, the ABC system, too, suffers from some shortcomings. Here are some of the limitations of the ABC system:

  • All overhead expenditures cannot be allocated to individual activities. Cost drivers will not function unless they are generated by a real-time activity that is quantifiable and can be linked to production output.
  • The adaptability of the ABC technique is not suitable for all types of businesses since small businesses lack the resources to adapt it.
  • Implementing the ABC system is an expensive deal. It is not always possible for organisations to maintain this system owing to the huge expenses that arise out of it.
  • The ABC technique works best in complex contexts. If a corporation does not operate in a complicated environment, investing heavily in an ABC installation can prove to be a complete waste of time and resources as the result it will generate will not be useful.
  • It is easy to misinterpret the data produced by the ABC system. The manager needs to be vigilant at all times and assign costs that are relevant and do away with irrelevant costs.
  • Sometimes the reports generated by the ABC system might not be in line with the profit and loss statements generated by the traditional costing systems. This might give rise to unnecessary confusion in the organisation. 

Conclusion

ABC analysis is used in various industries such as the manufacturing industry, automotive industry, retail industry, and in warehousing. Implementing an Activity-Based Costing and Management system gives you more control over your organisation’s expenses further enhancing performance. The US CMA program is best suited for professionals who want a strong hold over the Activity-Based Costing and Management system. 

The Institute for Management Accountants (IMA) in the United States administers the globally recognised highest certificate in management accounting, Certified Management Accountant (the US CMA program). The CMA certification deals with the best practices of the ABC methodology, corporate finance, risk management, and performance management among other things.

Imarticus Learning is your one-stop destination for world-class training for the CMA certification. The skills developed while studying for the CMA exam with Imarticus ensure the best learning outcomes. Imarticus Learning gives students the best training for the CMA exam that guarantees the best job interviews in Fortune 500 organisations across the globe. Sign up for the CMA Certified Management Accountant course today to become a CMA and conquer the world of finance!

career in MBA in Fintech

Fintech is revolutionising the financial industry, with technology disrupting traditional banking and finance practices. 

The integration of finance, management, and technology has given rise to the field of fintech in banking and finance, presenting new opportunities for professionals to drive innovation and growth in the industry. 

The rise of cryptocurrency is just one example of how technology is changing the financial landscape. 

This blog will explore the benefits and importance of combining finance, management, and technology in the fintech industry.

Fintech’s Impact on Finance and Business

The financial services sector has been transformed by fintech, or the fusion of finance and technology. Fintech has improved customer experiences by using technology to make financial services more efficient and accessible. 

Financial services have become more accessible to many people thanks to fintech, including individuals and small businesses.

The use of technology in the finance industry has increased transaction speed and efficiency while decreasing time and cost. As a result, consumer costs have decreased, and financial institutions are now more profitable. 

Better products and services for consumers and improved innovation result from increased competition in the financial services market.

Fintech has also affected businesses by offering fresh ways to manage finances and enhance financial judgement. Businesses can make wise financial decisions and improve their long-term planning with the help of real-time financial data and analytics.

Fundamentals of Finance and Investment

MBA in Fintech training

Investment and finance are essential elements of managing personal and business finances. Finance fundamentals include understanding financial statements and ideas like budgeting, saving, and debt management are among finance fundamentals. 

Money is invested in assets to earn a profit. Stocks, bonds, property, and mutual funds are typical investment types.

Setting financial goals, choosing an investment timeline, and diversifying investments across various assets are all important components of a successful investment strategy. 

Making wise investment decisions requires a thorough understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of various investment options and the variables that affect their performance.

Understanding of Technology and its Applications in Financial Services

The integration of technology into the financial services industry has resulted in improved efficiency, accessibility, and creativity. Both individuals and organisations need to grasp the impact of technology on finance to make informed financial choices.

Digital banking is one of the primary methods for using technology in the financial services industry. Digital banking has completely changed how people and companies access and manage their finances by giving them 24/7 access to financial services and information via mobile devices and online platforms.

Using big data and artificial intelligence in financial services is a significant application of technology (AI). Through these technologies, financial institutions can analyse vast amounts of financial data and gain insights that can help them make better decisions and enhance their financial products and services.

Investment management has also seen changes through technology as well. Individuals now have access to a broader range of investment options and tools to aid in making informed investment decisions, thanks to online investment platforms and robo-advisors.

Emerging Trends and Innovations in Fintech

The fintech industry is evolving, with new trends and innovations emerging. Staying up-to-date with these emerging trends is crucial for individuals and businesses to take advantage of the latest advancements in financial technology, including cryptocurrency.

One key emerging trend in fintech is the growing use of blockchain technology. Blockchain provides a secure and decentralised platform for financial transactions and is used in various applications, including cryptocurrencies and digital payments.

Another emerging trend in fintech is the increasing adoption of open banking. Open banking refers to sharing financial data between banks and other financial service providers, allowing for the development of new and innovative financial products and services.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are becoming essential in the fintech industry. AI and machine learning are used to analyse financial data, improve risk management, and enhance customer experiences.

Also, the use of biometrics for identity verification and authentication is rising in the fintech industry. Biometrics, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, provide a secure and convenient alternative to traditional forms of identification.

Career Opportunities in Fintech Industry

The fintech industry is expanding, particularly in the banking and finance sector, leading to many exciting career opportunities for individuals with an MBA in Fintech

With the growing importance of technology in the financial services industry, there is a high demand for professionals with a strong understanding of finance and technology.

Some of the vital career opportunities in the fintech industry include:

Fintech Product Manager: responsible for developing and launching innovative fintech products and services.

Fintech Business Analyst: involved in analysing market trends, customer needs, and competition to inform business strategy and product development.

Fintech Marketing Manager: responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies to promote fintech products and services.

Fintech Data Analyst: responsible for collecting and analysing financial and customer data to inform decision-making and improve business performance.

Fintech Security Expert: responsible for ensuring the security and privacy of customer data and financial transactions.

Fintech Software Engineer: responsible for developing and maintaining fintech software and applications, using cutting-edge technology such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.

Fintech Operations Manager: responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of fintech companies and ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently.

Conclusion

The fintech industry is a growing and dynamic sector requiring individuals and businesses to understand finance, investment, and technology. 

Imarticus Learning’s KL MBA in Fintech programme provides a comprehensive education in financial technology and equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this exciting and innovative industry. 

With a focus on Fintech in banking and finance, strategic management and digital transformation, this MBA in financial technology programme provides students with a strong foundation in the key concepts and trends shaping the future of finance and technology.

So, if you want to build a successful career in fintech, consider enrolling in Imarticus’ KL MBA in Fintech programme.