Prepare your business for 2009 and beyond

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Cell: 083 377 1858

Phone: (011) 886 4504

E-mail:mba@melbrooks.co.za

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Prepare your business for 2009 and beyond

If managers had a true understanding of costs – how they behave, how profit is generated and what the factors affecting cash flow are – they would be well prepared for the challenges facing South African business in 2009. Managers require an understanding of how money works in business and, in particular, they need to know that bills are paid out of cash flow and not out of profit.

Non-financial managers need to know how to actually use the information they get from accountants. They need to be able to gain meaning from the numbers that will, in turn, enable them to make good business decisions. This will involve taking responsibility for the numbers they receive and understanding that while profit is only an opinion, cash flow is a harsh fact. They also need to understand exactly what costs are, know how to make certain key calculations, and realise that there is no such thing as a hidden cost – there are only costs that they do not know how to calculate.

During the past 22 years I have provided non-financial managers attending programmes at the Wits Business School and my own in-company workshops with the knowledge and understanding required to get the most out of the financial information with which they are provided. They have learned how to identify the key information that will improve their ability to manage the areas for which they are responsible, and give them an understanding of how their decisions and actions affect the business as a whole.

I enclose a draft proposal that outlines the approach, content and methods I use in my workshops. My approach is not that of the typical ‘how to read a balance sheet’ workshop – it is about giving participants the understanding that will enable them to know what questions to ask, how to evaluate the answers and know what the next questions should be. Every topic handled is backed up by real practical business examples. Should you decide to consider improving your non-financial managers’ overall financial literacy we can discuss any specific areas that you feel require particular attention.

In addition to my work at the Wits Business School I have presented over 400 other in-company workshops all of which have been highly rated by the participants. The senior managers who have organized these workshops have always given me very positive feedback regarding the improvement in their non-financial managers’ understanding of business issues.

I would be glad to provide any additional information you may require. I am always available on 083 377 1858 to deal with enquiries, or you may email me at mba@melbrooks.co.za.