FAQ - CBG Management Academy

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Are there any prerequisites for the courses?

No, however a basic knowledge and experience of business management principles would be helpful.

How long do I have access to the coaching materials?

There is 90 day duration of access to online coaching content after enrollment. A permanent hardcopy of the data and strategies are available to download on completion.

What support is available if I encounter issues?

Information on business support, including contact methods and email are provided.

How do I track my progress?

Features that allow monitoring progress, such as a variety of business planning templates, PDF hardcopy of each module.

Is there a mobile app available?

The website and the included modules can be accessed via any tablet or mobile device for coaching on the go.

What are the system requirements?

Information on the necessary device hardware and software to ensure compatibility with the platform is provided.

How do I access my coaching modules?

Instructions on how to log in, navigate the platform, and access course materials are provided.

Is the coaching programme accredited?

We offer certifications upon completion of each module.

What types of online coaching do you offer?

There are 9 coaching modules to choose from. Providing a comprehensive a range of coaching topics such as business and growth planning, leadership, digital transformation, digital sales and marketing strategy, creating a competitive advantage, business resilience and digital innovation.

Can I cancel my order after purchase?

Please see our refund policy

AI Software

Which business planning AI software would you recommend to get started?

Microsoft Copilot is currently free AI software

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity and streamline tasks across various Microsoft applications. Here are some key features:

Integration with Microsoft 365: Copilot works seamlessly with apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It helps users draft documents, create presentations, analyze data, and manage emails more efficiently.
AI-Powered Assistance: It leverages advanced AI to provide suggestions, automate repetitive tasks, and offer insights. For example, in Excel, Copilot can help generate complex formulas, create data visualizations, and even analyze trends.
Natural Language Processing: Users can interact with Copilot using natural language, making it easy to ask questions and get relevant information without needing to know specific commands.
Customization and Learning: Copilot learns from your work habits and preferences, offering personalized recommendations and improving over time to better assist you.

Overall, Microsoft Copilot aims to make your work life easier by handling routine tasks and providing intelligent support.

Google Gemini is currently free AI software

Google Gemini AI is Google’s latest and most advanced large language model (LLM). Here are some key features:

Multimodal Capabilities: Gemini can understand and process various types of information, including text, code, audio, images, and videos. This makes it highly versatile and capable of handling complex tasks.
Enhanced Creativity and Productivity: Gemini is designed to assist with writing, planning, learning, and more. It aims to boost creativity and productivity by providing AI-powered chat support.
Seamless Integration: Built from the ground up to be multimodal, Gemini can generalize and seamlessly operate across different types of information, making it a powerful tool for a wide range of applications.
Collaborative Efforts: The development of Gemini involved large-scale collaborative efforts across various teams at Google, including Google Research.

Overall, Google Gemini AI represents a significant advancement in AI technology, offering robust capabilities for both personal and professional use

Here are some further business planning AI software

Upmetrics: This tool is highly recommended for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. It offers over 400 business plan samples, AI-assisted writing, and financial forecasting up to 7 years. Upmetrics also includes an AI-generated pitch deck feature, making it easy to create a compelling presentation .
Plus AI: Ideal for creating professional presentations, Plus AI integrates seamlessly with Google Slides. It allows users to generate a comprehensive business plan outline based on a brief description of their business, which can then be easily edited and rearranged .
Bizplanr: This tool is designed to help you craft comprehensive business plans quickly. It provides tailored advice and structured formats without any financial commitment, making it a cost-effective option for beginners .
Galaxy AI Business Plan Generator: This tool allows you to create a professional business plan in minutes. It covers key sections like market analysis, financial projections, and strategic planning1.
Easy-Peasy.AI Business Plan Generator: This AI-powered tool helps you generate a comprehensive business plan by providing prompts and generating content based on your inputs. It covers sections like problem statement, solution, target market, and monetization strategy2.
Yeschat AI Business Plan Generator: Yeschat offers a customizable business plan tailored to your industry and goals. It includes market research insights, financial planning, and strategic guidance3.
These tools can help you save time and effort in creating a detailed and professional business plan.

For Market Research & Analysis:

Google Trends: Free \tool to analyze search trends, identify emerging markets, and understand consumer interest.
Google My Business: Provides insights into local customer searches and reviews.
SimilarWeb: Offers free website traffic data for competitor analysis.
SEMrush (limited free version): Provides basic keyword research and competitor analysis.

For Business Plan Writing & Brainstorming:

Jasper (limited free trial): Can generate business plan outlines, mission statements, value propositions, and even marketing copy.
Writesonic (limited free trial): Similar to Jasper, it can help with content creation, including business plan sections.
Grammarly (free version): Excellent for proofreading and improving the clarity and conciseness of your business plan.

For Financial Modeling (Basic):

Google Sheets/Microsoft Excel: Basic spreadsheet software can be used for simple financial projections (though more advanced tools might be needed for complex models).

Important Notes: Free versions often have limitations: Features might be restricted, usage might be limited, or you might have to pay for premium features.

Explore AI Chatbots: Tools like Bard (Google AI) and Bing AI can also be helpful for brainstorming, generating ideas, and summarizing information relevant to your business plan

Information source: Microsoft Coplilot and Google Gemini

Artificial Intelligence

How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances business planning?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance business planning by providing data-driven insights, automating processes, and improving decision-making.

Here are some ways AI can be applied to business planning:

Demand Forecasting: AI algorithms analyse historical sales data, market trends, and external factors to predict future demand. This helps businesses optimise inventory management and production schedules.
Financial Modeling: AI can create accurate financial models by analyzing historical financial data, market conditions, and business variables. It assists in budgeting, revenue projections, and risk assessment.
Market Research and Competitive Analysis: AI tools can process vast amounts of data from social media, customer reviews, and competitor websites. This information informs strategic planning and helps identify market gaps.
Risk Assessment and Fraud Detection: AI algorithms analyse transaction data to detect anomalies and potential risks. Businesses can use this information to mitigate fraud and assess risks associated with new ventures.
Supply Chain Optimization: AI optimises supply chain logistics, reducing costs and improving efficiency. It considers factors like transportation routes, inventory levels, and supplier performance
Customer Segmentation and Personalisation: AI analyses customer behaviour to segment audiences and tailor marketing strategies. Personalised recommendations enhance customer satisfaction and retention.
Scenario Planning: AI models simulate different scenarios based on variables like market changes, economic conditions, or regulatory shifts. Businesses can evaluate the impact of various decisions.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can handle customer inquiries, freeing up human resources for more strategic tasks.
Human Resources Planning: AI assists in workforce planning, talent acquisition, and employee retention strategies. It predicts attrition rates and identifies skill gaps.
Optimizing Marketing Campaigns: AI analyses customer data to recommend optimal marketing channels, timing, and content. It enhances campaign effectiveness.
AI implementation requires clear goals, quality data, and alignment with business objectives
How do you implement artificial intelligence (AI) in your business; define your goals: Clearly identify your objectives for using AI. Understand what you want to achieve, whether it’s improving efficiency, enhancing customer experience, or optimising processes.
Identify Suitable Use Cases: Explore areas where AI can make a significant impact. Look for tasks or processes that can benefit from automation, predictive analytics, or personalised recommendations.
Gather and Prepare Data: High-quality data is essential for successful AI implementation. Collect relevant data and ensure it’s clean, labelled, and ready for analysis.
Build an AI Team or Partner with Experts: Assemble a team with expertise in AI, data science, and domain knowledge. Alternatively, consider collaborating with external AI consultants or partners.
Select AI Tools and Technologies: Choose the right tools and technologies based on your use cases. Explore machine learning frameworks, natural language processing libraries, and cloud-based AI services.
Start Small: Begin with pilot projects or proofs of concept. Test AI solutions in a controlled environment before scaling up. Learn from these initial experiences and iterate as needed.
AI implementation is an ongoing process. Stay informed about advancements, monitor performance, and adapt your strategy as your business evolves

How can you apply artificial intelligence?

AI can be applied in many areas like business planning, healthcare, finance, marketing, robotics, learning new skills and much more. Its versatility allows for innovative solutions.

Why do we need artificial intelligence?

AI can solve complex problems, automate tasks, improve decision-making, and enhance efficiency. It has the potential to help address global challenges such as climate change.

How will artificial intelligence change the future?

AI will revolutionize industries, enhance productivity, and create new opportunities. It will shape all industries.

What is GenAI?

Generative AI, also known as GenAI or GAI, refers to artificial intelligence capable of creating original content in response to prompts. These generative models learn patterns from training data and then generate new data with similar characteristics.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. It engages in human-like conversations and can assist with various tasks. You can use it to answer questions, compose emails, write essays, generate code, and more

What is the definition of artificial intelligence?

AI refers to systems that exhibit intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and performing tasks with some degree of autonomy to achieve specific goals.

Data

What are the benefits and business outcomes when using data?

Data plays a crucial role in business planning.
Data quality and interpretation matter. Accurate, relevant data leads to better planning.
Improving data collection in your business is essential for informed decision-making

Informed Decision-Making: Data-driven decisions are more accurate and strategic. Analysing historical data helps identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
Market Insights: Data provides insights into customer behaviour, market demand, and competitor performance. Businesses can adjust strategies accordingly.
Financial Projections: Historical financial data informs budgeting, revenue forecasts, and cost management. It aids in setting realistic goals.
Risk Assessment: Data helps assess risks associated with new ventures, investments, or expansion. Quantifying risks guides decision-making.
Operational Efficiency: Data optimises processes, inventory management, and resource allocation. It minimizes waste and enhances efficiency.
Start Small and Expand: Begin with focused data collection efforts. Gradually expand as needed. Overwhelming your systems with too many data points can hinder efficiency.
Practice Good Data Hygiene: Ensure data accuracy by maintaining high standards. Remember, “junk in” leads to “junk out” in analysis.
Leverage Third-Party Data Experts: Collaborate with experts who specialize in data collection. Their insights can enhance your processes.
Use Centralized Reporting Platforms: Implement a centralized system for data reporting. This streamlines access and ensures consistency.
Regularly Check Data Sources: Verify data sources periodically. Outdated or unreliable data can mislead decision-making.
Remember, effective data collection directly impacts your business’s success. Choose methods aligned with your goals and resources

Calculating the return on investment (ROI) for data initiatives is crucial

Define Success: Start by defining what success means for your organization within the context of your data analytics project. Consider the specific use-cases and business problems you aim to solve.
Identify Metrics: Choose relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your goals. These metrics help track impact and prioritize information that matters.
Evaluate Data Usage: Understand how employees leverage data. Assess individual performance and identify areas where analytics tools or training may be needed.
Analyse Expenses: Before diving into KPIs, review all related expenses. Ensure you’re not overspending on areas with little impact. Training and upskilling are essential but require investment.

Remember, ROI isn’t just about numbers—it’s about demonstrating value and progress to stakeholders