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Money & Numbers

Forecasting Basics

What forecasting really is and how to do it. Predict demand, plan your cash and make decisions with numbers instead of guesswork.

1 sessions48 lessons2 hours of study Written lessonsWorkbook includedCertificate

What you'll learn

  • Sales Forecasting
  • What is Forecasting
  • Why worry about forecasting my sales
  • Make sure the following key points are clear
  • Forecasts by time horizons
  • Forecasting Approaches
  • Outside opinion
  • Opinions of managers and staff
  • Quantitative techniques
  • Moving Average

Course content

1 sessions · 48 lessons · ~2 hours · first 2 lessons free

Part 148 lessons
  • OverviewFree2 min
  • Sales ForecastingFree2 min
  • What is Forecasting?2 min
  • Why worry about forecasting my sales?2 min
  • Make sure the following key points are clear2 min
  • Forecasts by time horizons2 min
  • Forecasting Approaches2 min
  • Outside opinion2 min
  • Opinions of managers and staff2 min
  • Quantitative techniques2 min
  • Year: 2008 2009 2010 2011 20122 min
  • Moving Average2 min
  • Exponential Smoothing2 min
  • Some Forecasting Terminology2 min
  • The Simple Moving Average2 min
  • SMA: 10 period sum/102 min
  • Example2 min
  • Month 1 2 3 4 52 min
  • Solution2 min
  • Simple Vs Exponential moving average2 min
  • Go through the 4 steps and describe each briefly as follows2 min
  • Step 1: Gather essential historical sales figures2 min
  • Item4 - Total sales last year2 min
  • Attraction Rate2 min
  • Sales/Transaction2 min
  • Considering last year’s figures which products generated the highest income?2 min
  • Being Realistic in your forecast2 min
  • Step 2: Write down your sales assumptions2 min
  • The market2 min
  • Your resources2 min
  • Overcoming barriers to sales2 min
  • Your products and services2 min
  • Step 3: Develop and put together your forecast2 min
  • Product/Item 44 min
  • Keep Adjusting Your Forecast2 min
  • Wishful thinking2 min
  • Not making your forecast achievable2 min
  • Moving goal posts2 min
  • Not consulting your sales people2 min
  • Activity: Sales Forecast Skill Practice Activity (60 Minutes)2 min
  • Allow 60 minutes2 min
  • How can forecasting help my Sales?2 min
  • Daily Closing Prices: 11,12,13,14,15,16,172 min
  • Forecast2 min
  • Please refer to your pr-training assignment form with your2 min
  • Step 2: Write down your sales2 min
  • Fill in data into the forecast data support2 min
  • Personal Action plan2 min

About this course

What forecasting really is and how to do it. Predict demand, plan your cash and make decisions with numbers instead of guesswork.

Every lesson is written out in full — this is the complete course, not a summary. You read it, watch the narrated video, and do the exercise against your own business. The workbook is yours to download, print and keep. Finish the lessons and you earn a Business Nous certificate.

Who it's for

Small business owners, managers and ambitious employees who want practical know-how rather than academic theory. No prior study is needed — start where you are and work at your own pace.