2. Some Bad Forecasts
"Everything that can be invented has been
invented."
--Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents,
1899.
"640K ought to be enough for anybody."
-- Bill Gates, 1981
3. Some Bad Forecasts
"But what ... is it good for?"
--Engineer at the Advanced Computing
Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting
on the microchip.
"There is no reason anyone would want a
computer in their home."
--President, Chairman and founder of Digital
Equipment Corp., 1977
4. Some Bad Forecasts
"I think there is a world market for maybe
five computers."
--Chairman of IBM, 1943
"We don't like their sound, and guitar music
is on the way out."
--Decca Recording Co. rejecting the
Beatles, 1962.
5. Forecasting
What is generally the first item to
estimate when starting a business?
What is the most difficult aspect of
forecasting?
6. Steps in Financial Forecasting
Forecast sales
Project the assets needed to support
sales
Project internally generated funds
Project outside funds needed
Decide how to raise funds
See effects of plan on ratios and stock
price
7. Finance
Department
The Sales Forecasting Process
Marketing
(sales estimate)
Top Management
(policy, strategy)
Production
(capacity, schedules)
Accounting
(financial statements,
depreciation, taxes)
SALESSALES
FORECASTFORECAST
8. Forecasting sales
Review past sales (five to ten years).
You can use average growth rate but it may
not give you a correct estimate.
Use regression slope to compute growth rate.
Consider changes in economy, market
conditions, etc.
Improper sales forecast can lead to serious
financial planning issues.
9. Sales Forecast
Sales forecasts are usually based on the analysis of historic data.
An accurate sales forecast is critical to the firm’s profitability:
Under-optimistic
Too much inventory
and/or fixed assets
•Low turnover ratio
•High cost of depreciation and storage
•Write-offs of obsolete inventory
•Low profit
•Low rate of return on equity
•Low free cash flow
•Depressed stock price
Over-optimistic
•Company will fail to meet demand
•Market share will be lost
Sales Forecast
10. 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03
Time
Sales
Growth Rate
Forecast future sales based on past sales
growth
Sales Estimates for
next 2 years
Sales Estimates for
next 2 years
11. 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03
Time
Sales
Also include the effects of any events which
are expected to impact future sales (new
products or economic conditions)
Forecast future sales based on past sales
growth
New Product Introduced
12. 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03
Time
Sales
Also include the effects of any events which
are expected to impact future sales (new
products or economic conditions)
Forecast future sales based on past sales
growth
New Product Introduced
13. Current Assets: Inventory, A/R, Cash
Fixed Assets: Plant and Equipment
20092009
20102010
Sales Growth Imposes Costs on the Firm
Will require additional resources
14. What are the affects on the financials?
Sold off stores
Borrowed money
Expanded to new markets
Out-sourced labor to China
Lowered retail prices
Increased advertising
Purchased inventory management
system