Company and Industry Analysis Training for Investment Professionals

In Company Delivery

£3,300 (plus expenses)

Effective investment analysis goes beyond the numbers. In today’s hyper-competitive world, investment analysts need to understand the competitive forces at play in the various industries, markets and sectors a prospect operates in. They also need to understand the resources and capabilities that the organisation possesses and can leverage for competitive advantage. Specialist company and industry analysis training provides investment analysts with the tools and ability to gain this understanding.

Analysts may well be aware of concepts such as industry analysis and competitive advantage, but often do not have the right amount of knowledge or experience to use the powerful tools of strategic analysis effectively. If used correctly however, strategic analysis adds context and insight to more financially-focused analysis, and because of this, strategic analysis is a real driver of improved decision-making and reduced risk.

During this intensive, three-day programme we provide in-depth professional training in the most useful concepts, tools and techniques of company and industry analysis including PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Game Theory and Competitive Intelligence.

What will I learn?

The following outline comprises a typical programme. Programmes are tailored to suit each organisation’s particular requirements. The case studies detailed below are indicative, but are subject to change depending on the industries and markets of interest to our course participants:

DAY ONE

 Morning Session

• Introductions and Objectives
• Introduction to Corporate, Business and Competitive Strategy
• The Role of Analysis in Strategy Formulation

Afternoon Session

• Industry Analysis – Fundamentals
  • Environmental and Industry Analysis
  • Analysing Industry Attractiveness
  • Porter’s Five Forces
  • Applying Industry Analysis
  • Defining Industries and Markets
  • Identifying Key Success Factors
• Quick Analysis: Use the Five Forces Framework to explain why the US smokeless tobacco industry is so profitable.
• Homework: Prep. for Case Analysis: The global pharmaceutical industry

DAY TWO

Morning Session

• Case Analysis: The global pharmaceutical industry (industry analysis)
• Industry Analysis – Continued…
  • Extending the Five Forces
  • Introduction to Game Theory
  • Competitor Analysis
  • Segmentation Analysis
  • Strategic Groups
• Quick Analysis: Use the Prisoner’s Dilemma model to explain why hotels may be able to collude on price but not over discounts.

Afternoon Session

• Analysing Resources and Capabilities
  • The Role of Resources and Capabilities in Strategy Formulation
  • Resources of the Firm
  • Understanding Organisational Capabilities
  • Step-by-Step Approach to Appraising Resources and Capabilities
• Quick Analysis: What strategy recommendations would you offer Volkswagen based on their resources and capabilities?
• Homework: Prep. for Case Analysis: Manchester United

DAY THREE

Morning Session

• Case Analysis: Manchester United: Preparing for Life without Ferguson (resources and capabilities)
• Competitive Advantage
  • Introduction to Competitive Advantage
  • Analysing Cost Advantage
  • Analysing Differentiation Advantage
• Quick Analysis: Using the value chain, what suggestions might you make as to how Ford might lower its costs of producing cars?

Afternoon Session

• Learning Consolidation
  • Quick Analysis: Use Five Forces analysis to predict the likely profitability of the online travel agency industry over the next 10 years.
  • Quick Analysis: Why are print cartridges more profitable than printers? Would this be different if they were manufactured by different firms than the printers?
  • Quick Analysis: Bottled water sells for at least 200 times the price of tap water. What are the key differentiation variables that determine the price premium that can be obtained for bottled water.
• Wrap

Who is it for?

Investment analysts seeking to enhance / add-to their existing analytical capabilities and add further value to their organisations.

How will my company or organisation benefit from company and industry analysis for investment professionals?

While the majority of investment analysts are exceptionally good at the forensic analysis of a prospect’s financials, the lack of a deep understanding of a prospect’s current and possible competitive environment is a significant risk to the investor.

By training their investment and financial analysts in the tools and techniques of strategy analysis, firms improve their understanding of each prospective investment, and are able to make most robust, less risky and more well-informed decisions.

Why does this programme stand out?

• Calibre and credentials of course leaders – professional strategists with significant real-world, global experience in a wide variety of sectors. Our course leaders have been there and done it.
• Our content selection is based upon what actually works and is used to great effect by the top strategic operators in the market. We do not teach emerging theoretical academic models with little evidence of practical application or proven value.
• Experiential learning – all concepts, tools and techniques are explored through the use of case studies.
• The calibre of other participants – the majority of our participants are existing or emerging leaders in their particular fields, and add significant value to group discussions.
• Ongoing peer networks between participants and presenters – through our private Linkedin group and regular social events including private dinners, drinks, racing, rugby, sailing and shooting days we promote and support the development of peer networks between participants.

Course details

Course: Company and Industry Analysis for Investment Professionals

Duration: 3 days

Fee: £3,300 (plus expenses) Up to 12 pax.

Dates: Only available for in-company training at present. If you are interested in us running this as a public course please let us know.

Other Courses

Ironclad Strategy run a wide range of open (public) and in-company courses in strategy. Our key, related courses are:

• Planning, Implementing and Managing an Effective Strategy
• The Tools and Techniques of Strategy Analysis
• Strategic Thinking for Senior Management
• These three courses combine to form the Ironclad Masterclass in Strategy programme