Solution Matrix • Cost-Benefit-Analysis

Business Case Seminars, Auckland, April 2009

  • Business Case Essentials: Seminar and Workshop, 1 day, 29 April
  • Advanced Analytics: Master Class, 1 day, 30 April

Presented by Solution Matrix Ltd. in partnership with Solution Matrix Pacific Ltd.

The Business Case is no Longer Optional

Auckland_seminars_1.jpgIt's no secret that the current climate in business and in government is rapidly losing tolerance for poor decisions, while the need for rock-solid accountability is increasing. Most important spending decisions today require a business case. Everyone talks about the "business case," but surprisingly few know what this means or what makes the difference between a strong case and a weak case.

Join more than 12,000 other professionals who have taken the same training at  Boeing, Cisco, Ericsson, McDonald's, and  IBM, and government organisations on five continents.. 

Learn and practice the proven approach presented in the whitepaper Business Case Essentials and the best selling Business Case Guide. (See seminar agenda below).

Previous offerings of this seminar have been sold out. Enrollment is strictly limited to 24 participants for each session.

ClassPicture_100.jpgWho Should Attend

Since 1994, Solution Matrix Ltd. has helped thousands of business people and others to understand the essentials and deliver business case results that score high in credibility, accuracy, and practical value. These seminars are designed for

  • Project managers, product managers,  and program managers whose proposals need business case support
  • Managers with a need to bring accountability and consistency  to decision making and planning in their organisations
  • Consultants and contractors doing business with the national government or local councils.
  • Consultants advising clients in decision making and planning
  • Government employees who must demonstrate accountability and sound descion making
  • Those who propose major IT acquisitions or changes
  • Government and business people responsible for capital spending decisions
  • Sales and marketing people with a need to show customers that a decision to buy is a good business decision

sem_7.jpgWhat You Will Learn

Solution Matrix business case seminars feature "hands on" workshops with real business case examples.  Most participants have little or no prior experience in finance or business planning.  During the course they build the benefits rationale, cost model, and financial analysis at the heart of a professional quality business case. At "Business Case Essentials: Seminar and Workshop"  you will learn: 

  • The essential building blocks that every business case must have
  • What to look for in case reports that makes the difference between a strong case and a weak case
  • Important differences between the government business case and the case in private industry
  • How to build credibility as you build your case
  • How to legitimise and measure the full range of business benefits—even the so-called "intangibles"
  • How to build a financial modeling system for asking "what if" questions, finding which assumptions that drive  results, and measuring risk and uncertainty in your projections
  • How to package and present business case results for maximum impact

The "Advanced Analytics: Master Class"  provides additional in-depth practical guidance and hands-on experience in:

  • The financial model that "makes the case" for proposed projects, programs, products, or capital acquisitions
  • Estimating costs and benefits realistically and credibly
  • Implementing financial metrics in your financial results (including NPV, IRR, Payback, and IRR)
  • Shortcuts and risks in spreadsheet modeling
  • Monte Carlo simulation,  to ask "What If?" questions, measure risk, and reduce uncertainty in projected business results
  • Quantitative methods for bringing non-financial benefits and costs into the case
  • Taking the "Soft" out of "Soft Benefits"

    Building the Business Case SeminarVenue

    "Business Case Essentials: Seminar and Workshop" and the "Advanced Analytics: Master Class" will be held at Otago University School of Business, 385 Queen Street, Auckland. Seminar hours will be 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM (with a one-hour lunch break) onWednesday 29 April (Building the Business Case),  and Thursday 30 April (Master Class). Arrival by 8.45 each morning is requested. Further details will be e-mailed to participants upon registration. Lunches and refreshments are included in the seminar fee.

    Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and one of its most popular destinations. Building the Business Case amd the Business Case Master Class will be held within easy walking distance of public transportation, a wide range of hotels, and some of the city's most interesting sites.  Find information on hotels and Auckland attractons at http://www.aucklandnz.com/.  The Auckland airport code is AKL.

    Building the Business Case SeminarSeminar Leader

    Business Case Essentials and Advanced Analytics Master Class seminars are led by Dr. Marty J. Schmidt, President and Founder of Solution Matrix Ltd. Dr Schmidt has twenty years business experience, managing software development, international marketing and sales support, and, (since 1987) management consulting on business issues. He is a recognised authority on the application of cost/benefit analysis and business case development.

    Dr. Schmidt also taught graduate and undergraduate statistics at the University of New Hampshire, is the author of a college textbook on statistics, and publishes often on professional management and business issues (e.g., The Business Case Guide, 2nd ed., ISBN 1-929500-01-7). He holds the Ph.D. degree from Purdue University and the M.B.A. from Babson College. Click for more information on Solution Matrix Ltd. and our clients.

    Jeff.jpgSeminar Co-Facilitator

    Seminar Co-facilitatior is Jeff Jackson,  CA, CMA, FNIZM, AMP 86.  Jeff  is Currently the Managing Director of Solution Matrix Pacific Ltd a consulting firm specialising in strategic performance management. Jeff has many years of business and industry experience at director and senior management level as Chief Executive and Director of a number of New Zealand companies involved in agribusiness, textiles, energy, biotechnology and human capital. Jeff is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management, and a Harvard Business School - Advanced Management Programme alumni.  Jeff is a Strategy Coach for the Institute of Strategic Leadership and lectures on Corporate Governance for the University of Otago EMBA Programme.

    sem_6.jpgPrice

    Enrollment in each seminar is strictly limited to 24 participants in each seminar, and available space will be filled in the order registrations are received. Seminar Fees:  

    Business Case Essentials: Seminar and Workshop, 1 day, 29 April 2009, NZS$1,250 per person including GST  (or US$800 including GST). Advanced Analytics: Master Class, 1 day, 30 April 2009,  NZ $1,250 including GST (or US$800 including GST).  Attend both seminars for NZ $1,995 or US$1,275 (including GST)

    Early Bird Rates: Register on or before 1 April 2009 and attend either seminar for NZS$1,150 including GST (or US $730), or attend both seminars for NZ$1795 or US$900 (including GST).

    The seminar fee for each seminar includes:

    Download your copies of these resources immediately after registering!

    Team Discount:  When five participants from the same organisation register with payment at the same time, the fifth participant attends free. Send requests for a free fifth participant by email to smatrix@solutionmatrix.com. Please identify the participant, his or her contact information, organisation, and names of the other four registered participants.  

    No Hassle Money-Back Guarantee:  If you are not completely satisfied with Business Case Essentials or Advanced Analystics: Master Class, please let us know in writing within 15 days after seminar completion, and we will refund 100% of your seminar fee. Reservations may be cancelled up to 15 days before the seminar, subject to a NZ$150 cancellation fee. Substitutions may be made at any time up to the start of the seminar. 

    Registration 

    Submitting a registration request affirms that you have read and accept the seminar cancellation and substitution policy (above).

    Register online for Auckland Seminars

    The links below take you to our secure online shopping cart page, where you will be asked to provide the name of the registered participant(s), contact information, and credit card details to complete payment of the seminar fee. Online registration is processed in US$

    Register for 29 April 2009 Auckland seminar, Business Case Essentials: Seminar and Workshopilding the Business Case

    Register for 30 April 2009 Auckland seminar, Advanced Analytics: Master Class

    Register for both seminars (29-30 April) in Auckland

    To register by mail or fax click for printable registration form  (PDF Format)

    Join the Leaders

    A few of the New Zealand organisations and companies in previous seminars include

    • Adult Services, Tairawhiti District
    • Altis Consulting
    • Altitude Group
    • Asteron
    • Auckland City Council
    • Carson Group
    • Design Technology
    • Eagle Technology
    • Eastland Energy
    • Eastland Infrastructure
    • Equinox
    • Fontera Co-operative
    • Fulton Hogan
    • Gisborne Chamber of Commerce
    • IAG
    • Infinity Solutions
    • Jade Software
    • McCullochs New Zealand
    • NZ Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
    • Otago University School of Business
    • Tairawhiti Polytechnic
    • Toll NZ
    • Wairoa District Council

    For more information please contact:

    Jeff Jackson, Managing Director, Solution Matrix Pacific, Auckland, NZ
            jeff@solutionmatrixpacific.com   Ph +64 9 366 2250
    Marty Schmidt, President, Solution Matrix Ltd., Boston, USA
           mschmidt@solutionmatrix.com  Ph +1 617 267 9607

Cost/Benefit Newsletter

Read newsletter past issues

  • ROI Users Survival Guide
  • Getting a Yes from the CFO
  • Business Case Critics:
    De-Clawing the Cat
  • Do "Soft" Benefits Belong in a Business Case?
  • And more...

Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter and receive a free
e-mail course: "5 Days to Success with Your Business Case"



We value your privacy
Read newsletter past issues

Business Case Essentials: A Guide to Structure and Content

New edition just published!

The concise, complete guide to what belongs in a business case and why—The world's most popular introduction to business case analysis. With nearly one million copies in circulation, Essentials is also the leading trusted authority (Search Google to see citations). Clear step-by-step guidance for building a compelling case, complete with NOV, ROI, TCO, and other important financial and non financial outcomes. Available in printed, ebook (PDF), and Kindle editions. Order the printed edition online. Or, download the worlds most frequently cited business case resource today as an e-book.

Learn case building at the premier seminar on business case analysis:

Building The Business Case

Building the Business Case Seminar ParticipantsTwo days hands on learning and practice with the leading source for business case training. Join more than 16,000 professionals on five continents who successfully completed Building the Business Case seminars.
Qualify for professional eductaion and certification credits.

Request detailed seminar contents and agendas.

Business Case Guide

The Recognized Standard

Business Case Guide The in-depth practical Guide to successful cost benefit analysis and business case presentation. Adoped as the standard source by Cisco Systems, the US Department of Defense, and hundreds of other organizations. 255 pages. Download the recognized standard source.

Financial Metrics Pro

Financial Metrics Pro The complete financial metrics resource: clear, easy
to follow spreadsheet instructions, comprehensive handbook, usage and interpretation, and working examples. Covers all important cash flow metrics, including Net Cash Flow, NPV, IRR, ROI, Payback Period, and all financial statement metrics, from Working Capital and Quick Ratio, to full DuPont System analysis. Ready to copy templates for more than 100 important financial metrics. Download today!

Financial Modeling Pro

Financial Modeling Pro Step by step guidance for building the financial model at the heart of the business case. Includes model design strategy, best practice spreadsheet programming, designing for usability, and the dynamic model for risk and senitivity analysis.

Click for an overview.

The Solution Matrix site is

SecurityMetrics for PCI Compliance, QSA, IDS, Penetration Testing, Forensics, and Vulnerability Assessment

Credit Card Processing

Forbes Radiospot

"I have to justify it ... by Thursday!"
Audio
Listen to radiospot