As Boris Johnson announced his roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions, we look at how Cambridge Finance has navigated the pandemic and how we are converting this experience to bring best in class training for all our delegates.
Training before Covid-19
Prior to lockdown, all of Cambridge Finance courses were delivered face to face in central London. We had three trainers delivering the content. As word spread about Cambridge Finance courses, our delegate numbers increased year on year resulting in permanent premises at the end of 2019 to enable more courses to be scheduled.
With the arrival of Covid-19 and the initial lockdown, our training model was impossible to implement. Given the safety of both delegate and trainer, we researched realistic alternatives to continue to support the property profession. We were not alone; the following graph shows how far the pandemic has impacted the training industry:
Technology Pivot
Technology has been always an integral part of Cambridge Finance courses with excel used as the software to build financial models. A live virtual classroom was launched using Zoom. Whilst there were the initial teething problems and nerves, we adapted quickly and discovered the following benefits:
- No travel and accommodation costs for delegates.
- Training spread over half day sessions allow delegates the remainder of the day to work.
- Ability to upload recorded zoom training sessions onto the website for delegates to review.
- Less intimidating platform for shy delegates.
- Ease of delivering training to delegates worldwide.
Hybrid Model
In our roadmap, our ambition is to offer greater choice to our delegates both in terms of delivery and content. We now offer 3 training options: face to face (once permitted), virtual live classroom via zoom, and eLearning. We are seeing greater demand for a blended offering and will continue to offer our courses in line with delegate needs and feedback. We have increased both the choice of courses and our pool of trainers, thereby doubling our available knowledge base.
March Courses
| Course | Description | Link | Type |
| Real Estate Life Cycles | This e-learning course is designed to be studied at a pace and time to suit each individual. Our property expert avatar guides you through real estate life cycles, introducing the key concepts. | Link | eLearning – on demand |
| Climate Risk & Commercial Property Valuation | Groundbreaking new course on climate risk. Human impact on the environment is now at the top of global company’s agenda as it affects property saleability and values. Learn how to build this into your financial models and be prepared. | Link | Live virtual online – 4 sessions |
| Cambridge Finance Certificate in real Estate Financial Modelling | An exclusive programme offered by Cambridge Finance and in line with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) financial modelling competency, this course covers the main topics related to real estate financial modelling in Excel, leading up to the Cambridge Finance Certificate in Real Estate Financial Modelling. Delegates will learn how to create robust financial models from scratch, from traditional valuation methods to fully bespoke cash flows. | Link | Live Virtual online – 10 sessions |
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Last Months Blogs to catch up on:
Why does commercial property valuation need a detective?
No two commercial properties are alike. Even a pair of buildings from identical blueprints will have subtle differences, they are unique, just like you and I. To reach a valuation we need to look at evidence, we cannot just pluck a value out of the air….
Co-Living – what is it and why is it gaining in popularity?
Co-living is where three or more tenants, not from the same family or household, share living accommodation. This scenario is common in cities such as London where the cost of living is high. Other advantages of co-living are reduced utility costs as this is shared among the tenants or included in the rent
Are buy to rent houses commercial or residential properties?
As buy to rent increases in popularity even throughout the pandemic, we are left wondering how to categorise these properties, residential or commercial? When you look at the cost of buying a house and compare it to the increase in income, despite stronger wage growth in recent years it just cannot keep up.
Rupert Wood talks to Maria Wiedner about turnover rents and the impact they are having on the real estate industry.
What does a financial analyst do?
There are several types of financial analysts, one size does not fit all! The day-to-day tasks of financial analysts may differ greatly, however, the skills these professionals need are often very similar. Here are four examples of financial analysts: Portfolio managers A portfolio manager is responsible for the supervision and …