Dr. Al Bates featured at 3rd Annual Executive FInancial Symposium for Retails
Article Number : 79
Article Detail
  
Date 12/19/2001 10:39:00 AM
Written By LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services
View this article at: //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=79
Abstract
Article

(click here for Dr. Bates' Bio)
RetailResults is hosting the 3rd Annual Executive Financial Symposium for Flooring Retailers March 2-4, 2002. The symposium will feature the industry's foremost authority on retail financial dynamics, Dr. Al Bates. Dr. Bates is the Chairman of the Profit Planning Group and has helped thousands of flooring retailers improve their bottomlines over the past 20 years.
(Read testimonials from other retailers)
This is NOT some generic, theoretical seminar on how accountants think a flooring business should be run. It IS an intensive, 3 day learning and planning session, run by a highly-experienced professional that will leave you with concrete plans and goals to increase your profits. You will evaluate and use YOUR financial statements to build YOUR profit plan for YOUR business.

Symposium Agenda
Day One: Understanding the Key Profit Drivers

Setting a Profit Target-Identifying what a realistic profit level is, considering both the need for salary and a return on investment. This section is designed to give management a specific target to shoot for in planning.

Identifying the Profit Drivers-The profit of most businesses are driven by a remarkably small number of different profit variable. This section will identify them. It will also set some priorities for them. In too many instances firms don't have a clear understanding of what is truly important in their business and what is not.

Goals For Improvement-This section will turn its attention to setting specific goals for improving 1) sales, 2) gross margin, 3) expenses, 4) inventory and 5) accounts receivable. The intent is to identify how much of an improvement can be made every year.

Case Study-The afternoon group assignment will ensure that participants can use the information presented during the day. A formal presentation of the findings will be made the next morning.

Day Two: Developing a Financial Plan

Cash Flow Planning-This section will identify the differences between cash and profit. It will also focus on draining the two key cash traps-inventory and accounts receivable.

The Planning Process-This section will provide the framework for effective financial planning. It will start with one essential concept, namely that profit should be the first factor planned every year. Every other element of the plan must revolve around the goal of enhancing profitability.

Case Study-The afternoon group assignment will ensure that participants can use the information presented during the day. A formal presentation of the findings will be made the next morning.

Personal Planning-This evening exercise will involve companies planning their own financial results. Assistant will be provided by the seminar leader as needed.

Day Three: Using Technology in Planning

Maintaining Control-This section will talk about the need to integrate on-going control points into the planning process to ensure that the firm stays on target.

Profit Advisor-This section will instruct the participants how to use a computerized planning/controlling system. Every participant will receive a copy of Profit Advisor to use in their planning processes.

Personal Planning-This exercise will involve companies planning their own financial results using Profit Advisor software. Assistant will be provided by the seminar leader as needed.

The tuition for the Executive Financial Symposium is $2995 for the first person, and $2495 for each additional person. The tuition covers all of your symposium expenses including airfare, hotel, meals, transportation, group event and the symposium materials. Many owners find that having their comptrollers and general mangers attend with them helps to build and reinforce the overall effectiveness of the financial sessions.

Make plans to join fellow retailers and Dr. Bates March 2-4, 2002 in Atlanta. Registration will only be open to the first 70 attendees and will begin in early December. Make plans to join fellow retailers and Dr. Bates March 2-4, 2002 in Atlanta. Registration will only be open to the first 70 attendees and will begin in mid-December. You can register by clicking here!