The ability to make key financial decisions has never been more critical. Faced with business uncertainty, relentless competition and unhinged financial markets, financial management has become an increasingly complex challenge.

The fact is it’s not enough for top managers and entrepreneurs to be ambitious, innovative and inspiring—they also need astute financial understanding to keep a company in motion. A business may make waves with an innovative idea or product but without the financial know-how to stay in the game, their time is limited.

This is compounded by the fact there are so many players in the volatile global market. With so much competition, executives need to foster the practical skills and insights to forecast trends, conduct financial analysis and drive value creation to propel their companies forward.

Why is financial decision-making so important for business outcomes?

The value of smart financial decisions is a chief consideration for businesses, regardless of their current growth stage.

In younger companies managed by spirited entrepreneurs, the startup phase is likely to bring negative cash flows and losses. During this time when there is a limited amount of capital available, financial management and well-informed decisions are extremely important. Having an action plan that prepares for negative growth could be the difference between falling flat or getting up off the ground.

For new and established businesses alike, it’s imperative to maximize shareholder value through smart financial management. Particularly in the initial phases of growth, engineering a good rate of return for investors who have financed the venture is a key way of securing long-term support.

Beyond the startup stage, a steady flow of funds is what keeps a business running, something that also requires diligent financial management. At some point, most businesses will have to face an economic slump or an external shock to the market. Fortunately, market downturns can be mitigated by forecasting and mapping out sufficient liquidity—provided managers are knowledgeable, capable and astute when making these critical decisions.

Navigating financial strategy in the age of uncertainty

Executives in today’s challenging business climate are faced with a maze of financial objectives to create value. To survive, they can’t rely on reacting when times get tough, which they inevitably will. Instead, they need to be able to plan for every eventuality.

To complicate things further, financial decision-makers must often deal with data that is in flux or incomplete, meaning projected outcomes are changeable. As a result, business leaders are not only confronted with the task of building a financial infrastructure that ensures value creation, but they must also be prepared to offset disruption.

For businesses today, the scope of financial management requires more than just an excel spreadsheet. Without an effective capital structure, value creation strategy and forecasting abilities on the inside, businesses can quickly grind to a halt under the pressure of uncertainty.

Become empowered to make the right financial decisions with IE

IE’s Financial Decision Making for Managers equips participants with the resources to ensure success in financial management. Whether you’re a manager in an existing organization, an entrepreneur lacking the financial knowledge to make an idea happen or an aspiring financial analyst, the course is the ultimate foundation you need to start making smart financial decisions.

Delivered in an interactive online format, course participants develop an extensive knowledge of finance over five weeks, as well as the skill set to facilitate decision-making. Executives leave with a refined analytical ability that can be applied to key financial documents, metrics and investment plans, alongside the practical capabilities to advance value creation and forecasting.

With a world-class faculty to guide and inspire your learning, Financial Decision Making for Managers is the decisive investment you can make to ensure lasting success and stability in your organization. Discover more about how this program could strengthen your business, or start your admission process to kick-start your executive development.