BUSINESS ANALYSIS FOR MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AND BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES

COURSE INTRODUCTION
This Business Analysis for Management Consulting and Business Advisory programme will focus on equipping professionals with the knowledge, tools, and practical methods required to assess business situations, identify performance gaps, and develop solutions that improve organizational results. It combines analytical thinking, commercial insight, problem-solving, and strategic planning to support better decision-making across different areas of business operations.

The course is designed to help participants understand how to diagnose business challenges, interpret financial and non-financial information, evaluate opportunities and risks, and provide sound recommendations to clients or management. It also strengthens the ability to structure business problems, gather and analyze relevant data, develop practical advisory reports, and present actionable solutions that align with organizational goals.

 

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• build financial and investment appraisal models.
• prepare bankable business plans and feasibility studies.
• conduct market research and support export/business linkages.
• assess and mitigate business risks.
• identify grants and prepare winning applications.
• advise on restructuring and business recovery.
• engage clients more effectively using structured diagnostic tools.
• use digital tools for reporting and analysis; and

• develop implementation-focused action plans for business advisory engagements.
   

   

  COURSE OUTLINE

Fundamentals of Financial Modeling & Investment Appraisals

• Overview of financial modeling concepts and their importance.
• Build integrated 3-statement financial models (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) from scratch, including depreciation schedules, working capital, and debt schedules.
• Evaluate projects using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) models in Excel
• Introduction to scenario and sensitivity analysis in financial models.

Business Plan Writing & Feasibility Study Reporting

• Evaluate new business opportunities and structure them into bankable business plans
• Discuss steps in conducting a feasibility study, including market analysis, technical viability, organizational structure, and financial forecasting.
• Analyse project viability by identifying potential pitfalls, assessing risks, and performing a "go/no-go" decision-making process
• Use analytical tools like Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback Period, alongside projecting income statements and opening balance sheets
• Write a business plan that aligns with corporate objectives and serves as a roadmap for implementation, and present to stakeholders

Market Linkages & Export Support Strategies

• Analyze global market trends to identify, assess, and select potential export opportunities, including target country selection based on demand and competitive advantage.
• Develop tailored export marketing plans, setting clear objectives and strategies to effectively position products in international markets.
• Explain trade regulations, tariffs, and international compliance standards (e.g., quality, safety, and certification) to successfully enter new markets
• Identify, explore, and access appropriate financing options, insurance, and trade methods to mitigate financial risk and payment issues.
• Discuss international logistics, shipping, warehousing, and export documentation to ensure cost-efficient and timely delivery.
• Examine government programs, trade facilitation services, and export promotion agencies to enhance competitiveness 

Business Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate organisational risks, enhancing strategic decision-making and business resilience.
• Analysis of legal, financial, and operational risk, and aligning risk management with business goals
• Examine risk mitigation and control strategies to handle, mitigate, or transfer risks.
• Discuss leadership and communication to cultivate a culture of risk awareness across teams in the organisation
• Design credit-enhancement and insurance products

Grant Proposal Lab & Grant Applications

• Discuss drafting, reviewing, and submitting funding applications for grants.
• Identify appropriate grant opportunities and analyze donor requirements to align with institutional priorities.
• Develop proficiency in writing grant solicitation proposals, including cover letters, executive summaries, project descriptions, and sustainability plans.
• Examine how to secure local/international grants to fund Agribusinesses
• Discuss guidance on proper grant utilization and compliance reporting

Business Restructuring & Recovery Advisory

• Identify early warning signs of distress,
• Analyse financial statements, assess solvency, and conduct cash flow stress testing.
• Design comprehensive operational and financial restructuring plans to stabilize entities, optimize costs, and re-engineer business process
• Examine bankruptcy laws, insolvency procedures (administration, liquidation, receivership), and the legal responsibilities of directors and creditors.
• Undertake turnaround diagnostics and root-cause analysis
• Develop restructuring frameworks (debt, equity, governance) and pitch documents to attract investors
• Organize deal-rooms for investor matching

Client Engagement & Digital Tools

• Discuss the use of technology for improved communication, interaction, and relationships
• Analyze digital platforms (e.g., social media, video conferencing, messaging apps) as tools to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships with clients
• interpret analytics from digital platforms to track client interactions, predict needs, and tailor services accordingly.
• Facilitate structured client interviews (using Mutually Exhaustive/Collectively Exclusive – MECE framework, or the 5-Whys approach for Business Scoping)
• Use of Power-BI to develop dashboards for management reporting and apply critical thinking to choose the right digital tools to solve specific client service challenges

Capstone Case Simulation

• Explain theoretical knowledge integration with practical application in a risk-free environment, fostering critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and teamwork.
• Discuss application of knowledge from various disciplines, finance, marketing, operations, and human resources, into a cohesive business strategy.
• Describe how decisions in one department (e.g., marketing) impact others (e.g., production, finance) or value chain impact the overall business performance.
• Use data analytics to evaluate market opportunities, competition, and company performance.
• Integrate real-world agribusiness consulting cases

Action Planning

• Discuss the skills required to structure, implement, and track professional development through mentoring partnerships.
• Evaluate personal career goals and align with organisational needs through structured action, accountability, and regular progress monitoring
• Explain mentorship relationship management, progress monitoring, and evaluation
• Establish a follow-up plan to translate insights into a 90-day upskilling and implementation plan
• Establish mentorship pairing - for a post-engagement handholding plan to ensure the value created is not eroded