Intro to Financial Modelling: Build a Simple Forecast You Can Defend

Workshop Description

Why This Session, Now

Financial modelling can feel complicated when a spreadsheet becomes a mix of assumptions, formulas and outputs. In this two-hour introductory workshop, participants will work through a simple business forecast step by step. They will identify a small set of key inputs, separate assumptions from calculations, build a basic base case and test one downside change. The focus is on making the model easy to follow and explain, rather than building an advanced valuation or investment-banking model.

Learning Outcomes

What You’ll Learn

What a simple financial model is and how a forecast can support a business decision.
How to identify a small set of key forecast inputs such as sales volume, price and costs.
How to separate assumptions, calculations and outputs so the model is easier to follow.
How to use consistent formulas to build a simple revenue-and-cost forecast.
How to test a downside scenario by changing one or two assumptions and comparing the result.
How to explain what changed in the forecast without overstating what the numbers can predict.

Key Takeaways

What You’ll Leave With

A simple base-case forecast built during the session.
A basic downside scenario created by changing one key assumption.
A simple assumptions-and-formulas checklist for building a readable model.
A review checklist for checking the model before sharing or explaining it.
A clearer understanding of how Finance For Non-Finance Managers develops these skills further.

Target Audience

Who It’s For

Managers, business owners, working professionals and finance learners who want a practical introduction to building and explaining a simple forecast.

Prerequisites

What to Bring and Preparation

Bring a laptop with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. A practice business case and figures will be provided. No prior financial modelling training is required.

Event Agenda

7.00pm

Introduction to financial modelling

7.10pm

Identify the key forecast inputs

7.30pm

Set up a simple forecast

7.50pm

Calculate the base case

8.20pm

Make one downside change

8.40pm

Explain the forecast and Q&A

Your Trainer

See Weng Lung

AI in Banking & Finance

Mr See Weng Lung is a finance, fintech and AI professional with over 35 years of experience across Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. He combines senior banking and credit risk expertise with hands-on experience in AI, Generative AI and professional training, and currently leads Genfinance Pte. Ltd., focusing on AI applications in finance and banking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this event for?

Managers, business owners, working professionals and finance learners who want a practical introduction to building and explaining a simple forecast.

Do I need prior experience?

No. This is an introductory session, and the spreadsheet exercise will be guided step by step.

What should I bring or prepare?

Bring a laptop with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. A practice business case and figures will be provided. No prior financial modelling training is required.

Is the session interactive or hands-on?

Yes. You will work through a practice case, build a simple base-case forecast and make one downside change during the guided exercise.

Does the workshop cover company valuation or DCF modelling?

No. The workshop stays with a simple business forecast. Advanced valuation, DCF modelling and investment-banking-style models are outside the scope of this two-hour introduction.

What spreadsheet software can I use?

Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is suitable for the practice exercise. The workshop focuses on the modelling logic rather than specialised finance software.