Budget Forecasting That Makes Sense
We've spent years watching Australian businesses struggle with cash flow predictions. So we built a learning program that cuts through the spreadsheet confusion and gives you practical forecasting skills you can use next week.
No jargon. No boring theory. Just real techniques from people who've actually done this.
What You'll Actually Learn
We start broad with the fundamentals, then narrow down to the specific skills that matter most. Think of it like building a house from the foundation up.
Foundation: Why Forecasting Matters
Before jumping into spreadsheets, you need to understand what forecasting can and can't do for your business. We cover common misconceptions, realistic expectations, and how to spot when your projections are off track. Most people skip this part and end up creating fancy models that don't help them make actual decisions.
Building Your Base Model
Here's where you learn to create a forecasting system that fits your specific business. We look at different approaches based on industry, size, and complexity. You'll leave with a template that works for your situation, not some generic solution that assumes you're running a massive corporation.
Tracking What Matters
You can't forecast everything, and trying to is a waste of time. We teach you which metrics actually predict cash flow problems and which ones just clutter your dashboard. This section focuses on identifying the 5-7 numbers that tell you if you're on track or heading for trouble.
Adjusting for Reality
Your initial forecast will be wrong. That's fine. What matters is knowing how to adjust it as new information comes in. We cover monthly review processes, variance analysis, and how to improve your predictions over time without starting from scratch.
Advanced Techniques
Once you've got the basics down, we explore scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and how to build forecasts that account for seasonal variations. This is where you develop the skills that separate adequate forecasters from genuinely useful ones.
Who's Teaching This
We picked instructors based on one criterion: they've actually built and used forecasting systems in real businesses. No academics. No consultants who've never had skin in the game.
Callum Fenwick
Lead Instructor
Spent twelve years managing finances for retail businesses across NSW. Built his first forecasting model on a napkin during a cash crisis. Now teaches others to avoid the same mistakes he made.
Lenka Dvorakova
Financial Planning Specialist
Former CFO for a hospitality group with twenty venues. Knows how to forecast when your revenue swings wildly between Tuesday lunch and Saturday night. Her models helped the group survive two years of unpredictable trading conditions.
Freya Lindhagen
Tech & Systems Expert
Built forecasting tools for startups that were growing too fast to use traditional methods. Specializes in creating systems that don't require a finance degree to operate. Her approach saves hours of manual data entry.
Vesna Petrovic
Industry Applications Coach
Works with manufacturing and wholesale businesses where inventory planning makes or breaks your cash flow. She's seen every forecasting failure mode and knows how to prevent them before they cost you money.
Investment & Schedule
We run cohorts three times a year. Next intake starts September 2025, with sessions running Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings to fit around actual work schedules.
Essentials Track
A$1,850
6 weeks / 12 sessions
- Core forecasting framework
- Personal business model setup
- Weekly group sessions
- Template library access
- Email support during program
Professional Track
A$3,200
10 weeks / 20 sessions
- Everything in Essentials
- Advanced scenario planning
- Three 1-on-1 coaching calls
- Custom model review
- Ongoing support community
- Quarterly check-in sessions
Team Package
A$7,500
Custom duration
- Up to 5 team members
- On-site or online delivery
- Tailored to your industry
- Integration with your systems
- Post-program implementation support
2025 Program Calendar
Autumn Cohort Opens
Applications close August 25th. Program runs 10 weeks with Tuesday evening and Saturday morning sessions. Ideal for businesses planning their year-end forecasts.
Summer Intensive
Condensed 6-week format running three sessions per week. Perfect for getting your forecasting sorted before the new financial year. Applications open December 2025.
Mid-Year Program
Standard 10-week format. Good timing for businesses reviewing first-half performance and adjusting forecasts. Enrollment starts April 2026.
Quick Wins You Can Use Today
Don't wait until September to start improving your forecasting. Here are four techniques you can implement this week.
Track Your Lag Time
Measure the gap between when you invoice and when you actually get paid. Most businesses guess at this number and their forecasts fall apart because of it. Spend an hour calculating your real average collection period.
Build a Rolling Forecast
Stop doing annual budgets that become irrelevant by March. Instead, maintain a rolling 12-month forecast that you update monthly. It takes less time and gives you more useful information.
Identify Your Leading Indicators
Find the 2-3 metrics that predict your cash position three months out. For some businesses it's quote requests. For others it's raw material costs. Once you know yours, you can act before problems hit.
Create Three Scenarios
Don't just forecast the most likely outcome. Build a realistic best case, worst case, and middle case. When things change, you'll know which scenario you're tracking toward instead of panicking.
Review Weekly, Not Monthly
Monthly reviews are too slow. Spend fifteen minutes every Monday comparing your forecast to actuals from last week. Small corrections prevent big surprises.