Curiosity

You’re up for a promotion. Or you’ve consistently been movin’ on up to the East Side … just like The Jeffersons of sitcom fame. But now that you’re there, you’re feeling like a fish out of water. Why?

Because during your senior leadership meetings or quarterly earnings call, brain-scrambling terms like EBIDTA, EPS, margin analysis and shareholders' equity keep your mind fuzzy. Rather than admit you’re floundering, you nod like you know what’s going on, but like any smart woman, you’re scrambling post-meeting to Google the heck outta' your notes. But Googling isn’t going to cut it over time. You need to truly know and understand the financials of business if you’re going to continue your C-suite trajectory.

You’re a problem solver. You wouldn’t be where you are if you weren’t, so it’s time to up your business financial acumen and get your head in the fiscal game – especially if you want to keep rising.

there is a plethora of online platforms and other financial business programs out there that won’t break your bank ...?

It’s easier than ever these days to get educated – without quitting and going back to school full time, or on weekends and evenings (like I did) to get that elusive MBA that teaches?Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBIDTA) and Earnings Per Share (EPS) and business forecasting. In fact, there is a plethora of online platforms and other financial business programs out there that won’t break your bank or take four years to complete. Here are a few that I suggest to my clients, and you might find them helpful as well.

?Coursera

Coursera.org is a game changer! Billed as a way for you to "learn without limits" this platform defines itself as the way to "start, switch, or advance your career with more than 5,000 courses, Professional Certificates, and degrees from world-class universities and companies." The true beauty? Most of the courses are free. That's right Dorothy, you aren't in Kansas anymore. Both you and the Scarecrow not only have a brain, but you can dust off your learning capabilities without throwing down hundreds of thousands of dollars and walk away with resume-boosting courses from some of the finest universities and learning institutions in the world. For example, a quick search on Coursera for “business finance” returned over 2659 results. They range from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania's "Introduction to Finance and Accounting" to “Fundamentals of Business Finance" presented through Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Women program, which offers skills in analysis, finance and balance sheets, for entrepreneurs. You'll be able to see an overview of each course, along with the rating given to it by previous course participants. Think of it as the Amazon of the learning platforms. While not every course is free, (especially those that come with certificates) there are financial aid options too. Take a browse. There’s certain to be something there that will advance your knowledge and get your comfortable enough to sit through your company's next earnings call.

?Udemy

Udemy offers courses at beginner, intermediate and expert levels. With 10,000 courses to choose from, you’re sure to find something that will get you fiscally right. Prices range greatly, ($16.99 and up) and the site offers periodic specials. Look for courses like “Finance for Non-Finance: Learn Quick and Easy,” “The Complete Finance Manager Course 2022” or even “Fundamentals of Business Finance.”

?Skillshare

While a search for “business finance” returned over 1,100 results, many of the courses are related to finance for small businesses and come from an entrepreneurial perspective. Offerings include “Intro to being a CFO! Learn about Profitability and Financial Analysis,” “Finance controlling of Material Costs,” “Accounting: Understanding Financial Statements and Financial Analysis,” and “Finance Master Class.” The courses vary in duration from 39 minutes to 4 hours and the instructors have varying levels of expertise. Perhaps Skillshare would be great for a weekend crash course to get you ready for your next meeting.

?MasterClass

MasterClass is a favorite of mine. It leans more toward intimate conversations with inspirational celebrities and self-made masters of various fields who impart their knowledge to you. In fact, the MasterClass tagline is “They changed the world, now you.” Before you get started, they have an Is MasterClass right for me? questionnaire you can take to review your learning goals and determine if the online platform is a match for you. There are different monthly plans offered that should hopefully fit your budget, especially if you find a class that is more of a broad stroke to your career goals rather than specific nuts and bolts. They also offer at 30-day satisfaction guarantee. At the very least, you may find an offering from a business leader who may come from a finance background that will be helpful (and inspirational) to you.

The important first step to take is simply believing that you CAN learn the terms and understand the numbers.

GETTING STARTED

To get started, set a targeted goal for yourself for exactly what you need to know and by when so that you can understand the numbers (and the terms associated with them!) and what they mean for you and your company’s long-term profitability. Find a program or course that explains terms in a way YOU can understand it. You and your BFF may not learn the same way. So a program that works for her, may not be suited for you. The important first step to take is simply believing that you CAN learn the terms and understand the numbers.

Now, all of this having been said, some roles require a master’s degree. Be sure you identify the type of masters required. I struggled through my masters in business courses (especially accounting) and hated every second of it! I would have preferred getting a masters in creative writing instead. Because my roles were primarily communications-oriented, that may have been the degree better suited for me. So, know where you want to end up, before you go after the coveted MBA. If a role requires a MBA then of course certificates alone will not cut it. But if your goal is to simply have more confidence in owning your right to be in the room, do what it takes to achieve that level of mindset.

The primary takeaway here is to simply stay curious and open to ongoing professional development.

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Level Up with Grace?is a weekly newsletter designed to equip Black women (and others) who want to unapologetically create a stellar career with the strategies, insights, and techniques needed to excel in corporate America. Executive coach Cheryl Grace shares a curation of thoughts, articles, profiles, trends, and tactics that can help women advance to their next professional level, wherever they are on their career journey. Weekly emphasis on?Confidence,?Curiosity,?Case Studies?(Personal Profiles),?Connections?(Networking), or?Course of Action?(What to DO).?Please subscribe and/or share!

Our whip-smart writing and research team includes?Lisa A. Alleyne,?Peppur Chambers, and?Anthony Tone Payton.

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Powerful Penny LLC?is an executive coaching, consulting, and lifestyle firm founded by veteran corporate executive Cheryl Grace. We work with corporations seeking to promote, retain, and support diverse talent, as well as diverse professionals seeking to advance to their next level of career success. Our professional development services, coaching programs, and speaking/workshop series are fully customizable.?Discover how we can help you achieve your desired long-term results!