http://www.trainingnews.co.uk en-us http://www.trainingnews.co.uk N/A info@trainingnews.co.uk Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:04:03 MSK 20 http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/97/Free-CPD-for-law-and-accountancy-from-ACCA-and-FTA-Ltd.html CPD course provider FTA Ltd has teamed up with ACCA to make free CPD training material available to professionals who work in financial services.  The course material is designed to appeal to lawyers, bankers or accountants, or those who work alongside professionals who work in law, banking or accountancy.   According to Joanna Smith, business development director at FTA Ltd, the new CPD course material “is specially designed to appeal to those who work in finance or advise on the purchase or sale of companies.  For those who work in law this is a chance to look over the fence at some of the biggest issues clients worry about.  For other professionals, such as those who work in accountancy, banking or finance, this is a chance to reflect on issues you might advise on once in a while.”   The material consists of a short self study article together with an interactive multi-choice quiz and is designed to take approximately one hour.   “Depending on the CPD requirements of their own membership body, the time professionals spend studying this material should qualify for CPD points – all for free!”   Because of wide potential interest in the CPD material, FTA Ltd and ACCA have decided to make the training module available to interested professionals at no charge.  ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the world's largest international professional membership body for accountants.  FTA Ltd is a specialist CPD course provider.  The free CPD module can be found on ACCA's website at http://www.accaglobal.com/members/publications/accounting_business/CPD/debtfree and on FTA's website at “free CPD”. Financial Training Associates Ltd Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/95/Totally-Housing-launches-new-Effective-Housing-Package.html Totally Housing have launched a new, unique housing association review package - Effective Housing.The Effective Housing package enables ousing organisations to successfully review its services and manage change.This includes assessing a housing associations' services, policies and procedures to ensure they comply with housing legislation.Service processes can be mapped and reviewed, applying best practice and making sound recommendations for change, including redrafting policies, apply lean principles to procedures and offering critical challenge to help sharpen services. Totally Housing Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/94/Project-Finance-Training-courses.html Financial Training Associates Ltd is a company that provides courses in using Excel for project finance modelling. Our courses encompass topics such as Excel modelling for project finance, project risk and allocation, key performance indicators, major areas of negotiation, key contractual issues, due diligence, documentation together with the key impact and role of financing structures. Learning points on our project finance courses are regularly reinforced by referencing real life and well known case studies. Topics covered include: • Using Excel for project finance modelling;• Calculating project cash flow;• Project finance models;• Equity valuation;• Project dynamics;• Project finance in practice;• Project finance model issues;• Approaches to rating in project finance models; and• Using project finance models.For more details regarding our project finance training courses please click on:• http://www.financialtrainingassociates.com/financial-training-courses/project-finance-training-course.htm Financial Training Associates Ltd Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/93/Global-sales-and-client-services-director--financial-training-business-development.html International training provider financialtrainingassociates.com has today announced the creation of a new job vacancy within the company: global client services director.   Existing business development director, Joanna Smith, commented:   “We are all really excited about this next step for the development of our business.”   “The company is growing quickly and taking great strides forward.  All the infrastructure required for growth is now in place.”   “Our progress to date makes all of us within the business sure that the creation of this new sales director position is the logical next step.  We are looking for an exceptional sales director who can help develop our business and are very much looking forward to welcoming a new member to the team.”   For more information regarding this job vacancy please visit Financial Training Associates’ company website at http://www.financial-training.org/sales-jobs/services-director.htm. Financial Training Associates Ltd Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/92/Presentation-course-Dec-8-in-Brighton.html Presentation and speaking One-day course in Brighton Tues Dec 8 2009This fun experiential seminar is for anyone who wants to enhance their self-presentation and speaking skills, in whatever form - such as:- addressing an audience- pitching- selling- speaking in a meeting- one-to one or interview- other situationsThere will be opportunities to:- develop confidence/ overcome nerves- use humour naturally- try out new approaches for your situation- get feedback from group and tutorCost: £60 For full details and booking go to:(downloadable Word document)“I presented to my team in Paris in front of my new boss yesterday. I am sure I added extra panache! Thank you for your help.”- Marilyn Williscroft, American ExpressDecember 8, 2009Video clipsHow comedy and improvisation helped me present better(Word doc)Clients and training projectsRecent awardsBespoke training and speaker services:Gerry Thompson is available to run purpose-designed training forcompanies and organisations. All sessions are lively, fun and geared toyour specified training and learning needs.Gerry is also available as a guest speaker.Reply to: info@positivecomedy.comOr call +44 (0)1273 463611 Positive Comedy Learning Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/91/United-Kingdoms-Darling.html December always brings the Pre-Budget Report, which has been greeted with complete trepidation this time round. This in itself is hardly surprising; we have, after all, endured the worst recession of modern times and are officially still in recession, as well as having a mind-boggling deficit.  The report was going to be anything but enjoyable reading; taxes up, spending tightened and public sector pay either experiencing limited pay rises or to be capped. As to be expected the Pre-Budget Report has been slated by pretty much every, high-profiled, none-Labour fan, including the CBI's director-general, Richard Lambert.No matter what your stance on the report, one view that most HR and Training professionals will have in common is that the coming year is going to be tough and so the HR and Training functions will need to play a pivotal role within UK businesses to help the situation get better. It has been widely reported that unemployment will continue to rise next year, even though other indicators are starting to improve; the economy's growth is predicted to be back in the black, mortgage approvals are at a two-year high and the Government aims to half the national debt by 2013. Rising unemployment will cause concerns, which will likely impact on stress levels and employee well-being, both of which have renowned negative effects on organisational and individual performance, effectiveness and productivity.It is inevitable that organisations will continue to shed the fat, trying to stay as lean as possible; after all cash does not grow on trees, which leaves organisations no choice but to be as competitive and sensible as possible in order to survive. This actually makes perfect business sense, something the banks would do well to remember.  Kasmin Cooney, Righttrack Consultancy's Managing Director, said, "Organisations need to remember that they need to value and invest in their people as an organisation's employees are just as important as any physical product or brand name. Without good people, it is rare that an organisation can be truly successful. Organisations at the forefront of their industries, particularly innovative organisations, would not dream of cutting product or research investment so why should employee investment be any different?Those organisations who blame the recession for locking down on training and continual professional development for their employees will find that their organisation's reputation as an employer of choice will be damaged in the long-term. When things pick up, which they inevitably will, and the power will shift back to the employee, holding on to top talent and attracting new talent will be a very difficult job indeed." Notes:Download The Magic of Management from: http://www.righttrackconsultancy.co.uk/downloads/The-Magic-Of-Management.pdfAbout Righttrack Consultancy:Right Track Consultancy Ltd was formed in 1988, and has its head office in Worcestershire. Righttrack is the leading learning and development consultancy that design and deliver innovative and engaging training solutions to organisations all over the world. The range of services that Righttrack provide covers a broad spectrum and includes bespoke and ready-to-run training, sales solutions, ILM qualifications and development programmes, ICAEW programmes, organisational development and coaching. Righttrack work with clients of all sizes across all industry sectors, including Mercedes Benz, Gucci, BAE Systems, The Forestry Commission and The North East Ambulance Service. More information can be found on  www.righttrackconsultancy.co.uk  Press enquiries:Gemma Middleton, Marketing CoordinatorRighttrack ConsultancyBrockhill Court, Brockhill LaneRedditch, B97 6RBTel: 01527 595955Email: gemma.middleton@righttrackuk.com Right Track Consultancy Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/90/Worcestershire-Family-Intervention-Project-Investing-in-their-Future.html Family Intervention Projects (FIP) are the last chance saloon for many families; there really is no one left for some families and it is for this reason why the work that every FIP undertakes is vital for not just the families involved but society as a whole.Typically, FIPs' Project Workers, the direct link to the families, each have a small number of time intensive cases, which are incredibly complex, often with more than one deep-rooted issue that needs addressing. Due to the nature of the work and the sheer amount of time and energy needed to be invested in the families it wouldn't be that surprising if business training and development was low down on a FIP's agenda; after all there are only so many hours in the day.  However, this couldn't be further from the truth; the Worcestershire Family Intervention Project has just completed a workshop with Righttrack Consultancy, the international learning and development specialist. The Worcestershire FIP selected Righttrack to design and facilitate the workshop because of their experience in the public and social sectors, which was required as a solid understanding of the pressures faced was intrinsic with the learning messages needed. The workshop gave the Project Workers the opportunity to evaluate how they have progressed, the team's performance as well as celebrating success and discussing with their colleagues areas that need improving; all vital activities, especially for a new team doing such an important job.The team at the Worcestershire FIP, who are incredibly passionate and completely determined to make a difference to their families and society, thoroughly believe in the benefits that investing in their professional skills can bring to not only their work and clients but to the organisation as a whole.Jo Haycock, Senior Project Officer for the North Division said, "Buy-in from the team for any development is always incredibly high, which leads to an extremely positive and enthusiastic approach by everyone involved. The team-building element was incredibly popular during the latest workshop and I personally feel it was vital because the team is largely out in the field dealing with the families on a daily basis and so the times the team does come together is so important. It allows everyone to catch up, reflect, discuss approaches, results and problems and more importantly offer each other support, as the role is as equally stressful as it is rewarding. We have found that by investing in development it shows belief and confidence in our team, which is essential as there are no quick results in our line of work. It is for this reason why Worcestershire FIP views development and training so vital and will continue to invest in the future."Passion, engagement, loyalty and determination are words all employers would love to use to describe their workforce. Luckily for the employees of the Worcestershire FIP their employer not only recognises their effort and potential but realises that to keep the FIP moving forward training is needed to be used as a fundamental tool; a belief that many other organisations could learn and take heed from! About Righttrack Consultancy:Right Track Consultancy Ltd was formed in 1988, and has its head office in Worcestershire. Righttrack is the leading learning and development consultancy that design and deliver innovative and engaging training solutions to organisations all over the world. The range of services that Righttrack provide covers a broad spectrum and includes bespoke and ready-to-run training, sales solutions, ILM qualifications and development programmes, ICAEW programmes, organisational development and coaching. Righttrack work with clients of all sizes across all industry sectors, including Mercedes Benz, Gucci, BAE Systems, The Forestry Commission and The North East Ambulance Service. More information can be found on  www.righttrackconsultancy.co.uk Press enquiries:Gemma Middleton, Marketing CoordinatorRighttrack ConsultancyBrockhill Court, Brockhill LaneRedditch, B97 6RBTel: 01527 595955Email: gemma.middleton@righttrackuk.com Right Track Consultancy Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/89/Forecasting-goodwill-in-an-Excel-merger-model.html Training company Financial Training Associates considers the answer to the question: “How do you forecast goodwill in an Excel merger model?”Goodwill: a simple definition Goodwill is a class of intangible asset which arises when you acquire a business. Goodwill is the surplus of price paid for the target's shares over the net assets of the target (net assets = book value of equity = total assets less total liabilities = shareholders' equity = shareholders' funds). Writing down goodwill under IFRS Under IFRS (international financial reporting standards) the value of goodwill is checked each year under an "impairment test" and goodwill is written down if a valuation shows that the acquired target is not worth as much as previously thought. An example is the UK bank RBS's 2007 acquisition of Dutch bank ABN Amro. In 2009 RBS revealed the biggest loss in UK corporate history after it impairment tested ABN Amro and wrote down the value of its investment. Writing down goodwill under other accounting regimes Under other accounting regimes e.g. UK and Dutch generally accepted accounting practice, goodwill is amortised or written down a little bit each year, just like depreciation on fixed assets. Lessons for financial modelling in Excel - the simple solution If you are trying to model an acquisition by a business that accounts under IFRS, the simplest way to model goodwill is to assume no future forecast change. It's not going to make much sense to forecast an anticipated write down or other revaluation and, in any case, it's a not a cash item so doesn't affect the business's economics. The more complicated picture The picture above is slightly simplified. When one business acquires another, goodwill is generated as described above. At the same time, the acquirer gets an opportunity to revalue the existing assets of the target upwards. The acquirer gets the opportunity to review the target's existing assets and also identify separate intangibles sitting within the target (e.g. a brand or publishing title that can be valued as a separate intangible asset). In effect, this means that the price the acquirer pays for the target can be broken down into: (i) the fair market value of the target's existing assets and liabilities; (ii) the value attached to separately identifiable intangibles; and (iii) goodwill (equals the surplus of price paid for the target's shares over the value of the other two types of assets). Points (i) through (iii) above provide you with a sense of how balance sheet values could change following an acquisition. In the P&L, following acquisition: (i) revalued tangible assets will be depreciated, increasing depreciation expense; (ii) intangibles will be amortised, increasing amortisation expense; (iii) under IFRS goodwill will be impairment tested each year as per the previous RBS example. In effect the acquisition process gives the acquirer the chance to: (i) 'find' some extra tangible assets that can be depreciated; (ii) 'find' some extra intangibles that can be amortised; and (iii) reduce the amount of goodwill showing on the balance sheet. Lessons for financial modelling in Excel: the more complicated solution When modelling a merger in Excel you could, if you wished: (i) estimate expected revaluations of tangible assets and increases in depreciation; (ii) estimate separately identifiable intangibles and increases in amortisation. Conclusion Without having gone through a valuation exercise ahead of the acquisition it is going to be very hard to forecast expected revaluations and they are non cash anyway - so it may make more sense to model intangibles as per "the simple solution" above. That is, just calculate goodwill as the surplus of price paid for the target's shares over the net assets of the target and forecast no change/ write down going forward. There are always so many big variables when you are trying to model an acquisition that it's hard to imagine that there is much to gain by super-accurate forecasting of non-cash items. Financial Training Associates Ltd: the Company Financial Training Associates provides in-house training courses in excel financial modelling training, corporate and project finance, valuation and related subjects. Financial Training Associates Ltd Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 MSK http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/88/Righttrack-Consultancy-Celebrating-21-Years-in-Learning--Development.html The news is constantly reminding the public how hard it is for new businesses to survive, in fact it is widely reported that one in three new businesses will not see their first birthday. However, Righttrack Consultancy, the learning and development specialist, is one of the successes having just reached their 21st birthday. If Righttrack is one thing, it is certainly well weathered; having withstood learning and development fads, serious economic downturns and wars, which is quite poignant as the Middle East is one of Righttrack’s key markets. To celebrate turning 21 Righttrack has created ‘The Magic of Management’ book; a collection of thought-provoking tips that can be easily transferred into the workplace and claim to make a real and positive difference just by employees stopping and thinking about the areas that they directly control: themselves.Kasmin Cooney, Righttrack’s Managing Director, believes that the key to Righttrack’s success is their passion for people and learning and development. “We have always believed that to be successful in learning and development you need to have passion to design practical and inspiring learning together with a supportive approach to encourage people and organisations to change” she says.“This has been the fundamental belief and vision that I started building Righttrack on 21 years ago and I feel one of the main reasons why 100% of our clients say they would not only use Righttrack again but recommend us to others.*We have worked hard to build our reputation as a quality learning and development provider and whilst I appreciate that many organisations across all industries say they care, at Righttrack we really do care about the partnerships we form with our customers and want to make a real difference for all of our clients for the next 21 years.”Whilst many learning and development providers have struggled over the last 18 months because of the recession, Righttrack has not only survived but also gone on to have their most successful year yet. Mike Cooney, Righttrack’s Finance and Commercial Director, said, “We are incredibly pleased that Righttrack has reached 21; we feel it is a fantastic achievement, particularly given the current economic situation. Having said that, 2009 has actually been a record breaking year for Righttrack, with the future continuing to look bright.”*Righttrack Consultancy 2009 Customer Satisfaction Survey About Righttrack Consultancy:Right Track Consultancy Ltd was formed in 1988, and has its head office in Worcestershire. Righttrack is the leading learning and development consultancy that design and deliver innovative and engaging training solutions to organisations all over the world. The range of services that Righttrack provide covers a broad spectrum and includes bespoke and ready-to-run training, sales solutions, ILM qualifications and development programmes, ICAEW programmes, organisational development and coaching.Righttrack work with clients of all sizes across all industry sectors, including Mercedes Benz, Gucci, BAE Systems, The Forestry Commission and The North East Ambulance Service. More information can be found on www.righttrackconsultancy.co.uk Right Track Consultancy Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MSD http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/news/87/Successful-Editorial-Freelancing.html The Publishing Training Centre has just launched a brand new course for editorial freelancers called Successful Editorial Freelancing. The course can be taken either as a one-day short course at their offices in London, or as a distance learning programme. This course is designed to provide students with the practical nuts and bolts of what is required to set up as freelancer in the publishing industry, and to equip them with the confidence and business sense to create a successful and sustainable freelance income. Areas covered include legal considerations, researching the market, pricing, working from home, finding and keeping clients, managing yourself, your time and your clients and much more. The author and tutor of this course, Mary James, has extensive publishing expertise and a hands-on knowledge of the freelance market. Visit our website at www.train4publishing.co.uk for more information or contact us on 020 8874 2718 or publishing.training@bookhouse.co.uk. The Publishing Training Centre Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MSD