Let me start by saying that this class has been extremely challenging
for me. I have always worked for very small companies and have no
experience with the stock market, bonds and investments. All of this
was a huge learning curve.
As far at the next 5 to 10 years, managers need to be honed in our
market conditions and how they effect their companies investments
and liabilities. For example the owners of the company I work for
were shocked at the renewal rate of our line of credit because we've
been sitting on a low rate for years. I am now able to provide them
with insite as to whether or not it would be beneficial to use the line
of credit versus using available cash by preparing detail on the impact
of the rate and uncertainty of the rate potentially becoming higher.
Inflation is another area of concern. As prices rise, managers need to
keep a close eye on their bottom line in order to maintain a level of
profitablity that allows the company to b move forward.
From a personal perspective, having a better understanding of the
stock market may assist me in the future as I prepare for retirement. I
currently do not have any plans to change employers yet now feel
more confident that if I went to a more corporate environment, I
would feel comfortable in a financial role that had more assets and
liabilities than the company I presently work for.
