Program Outline

II. Capital Budgeting / Project Analysis

A. Utilization of NPV, IRR, XNPV, XIRR, EVA Techniques
B. Profitability Index for Capital Rationing
C. Use of Real Options Analysis to Model Flexibility in Capital Budgeting Problems
D. Decision Trees for Analyzing Multi-Period Decisions

III. Monte Carlo Simulation for Modeling Uncertainty

A. Probabilistic vs. Deterministic Techniques
B. Use of Random Number Generators
C. Financial Applications of Monte Carlo Simulation
D. Excel Add-Ins for Monte Carlo Simulation

IV. Game Theory for Financial Analysts

A. Zero Sum Games vs. Non-Zero Sum Games
B. Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Games
C. Cooperative vs. Non-Cooperative Games
D. Financial Applications of Game Theory


V. Time Saving Techniques

A. Creation and Utilization of Dashboards to Summarize Key Information
B. Use of Speech Recognition Software to Reduce Time for Data Entry
C. Introduction to Speed Reading
D. Use of RSS for Efficient Reading
E. Use of CFA Digest to Stay on Top of Financial Research
F. Use of Audiobooks as as Substitute for Reading
G. Stock Screening for Tracking Stocks ad Competitor Analysis
H. Techniques for Functioning at High Levels on Less than Full Sleep
I. Memorizing Excel Keystrokes to Speed Up Financial Analysis
J. How to Find and Utilize Interns as a Way of Handing Off Basic Tasks
K. Use of Yahoo and Google Answers for Answering Simple Questions
L. Use of Gerson Lehrman Group and Other External Networks of Experts for Solving Complex Problems

VI. Introduction to Financial Modeling

A. Building a Financial Model
B. Linking and Integrating the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statements

VII. Investor Psychology

A. Make Fewer Mistakes by Becoming Aware of Your Own Biases and Those of the Crowd
B. Optimism
C. Overreaction
D. Hindsight
E. Regret
F. Narrow Framing
G. Others

VIII. A Financial Spin Applied to Best Selling Business Books


A. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
    1. Be Proactive
    2. Begin With the End in Mind
    3. Put First Things First
    4. Think Win-Win
    5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
    6. Synergize
    7. Sharpen the Saw
B. The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
    1 Reciprocity
    2. Scarcity
    3. Liking
    4. Authority
    5. Social Proof
    6. Commitment / Consistency
    7. Ethics of When and How Much to Apply These Principles
C. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap ... And Others Don't by Jim Collins
    1 Level 5 Leaders
    2. The Hedgehog Concept
    3. A Culture of Discipline
    4. Technology Accelerators
    5. The Flywheel and the Doom Loop
D. How to Think like Leonardo DaVinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. B Gelb
    1. Curiosity
    2. Obtain Knowledge Through Experience
    3. Continual Refinement of the Senses
    4. Willingness to Embrace Ambiguity, Paradox and Uncertainty
    5. "Whole Brain" Thinking
    6. Cultivation of Grace, Ambidexterity, Fitness and Poise
    7. Interconnectedness and Systems Thinking
E. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
    1. The Three Rules of Epidemics
    2. The Law of the Few
    3. The Stickiness Factor
    4. The Power of Context

IX. Harnessing the Power of the Internet


A. Websites for Financial Analysts
B. Yahoo! Finance
C. MSN Investor
D. Google Finance
E. Google Alerts
F. Smartmoney.com
G. SeekingAlpha.com
H. Delphion.com
I. Many Others

X. Financial Rules of Thumb for Analysts

A. IRR Rules
B. LBO Rules
C. Valuation Rules
D. Stocks vs. Bonds Rules
E. High Yield Fair Value
F. Asset Allocation Rules