The Balance Sheet Barrier

Languages Available: English

Length: 0:00

Ask most managers and staff to explain a profit-and-loss statement or a balance sheet and their reactions will range from incomprehension to abject horror.

In The Balance Sheet Barrier training video, Julian Carruthers (John Cleese), a high-level executive, asks his down-to-earth companion Rita Scroggs (Dawn French), who runs Scroggs Manufacturing, just what's what. Rita uses her business as the basis for lessons. She explains the lessons to Cleese in everyday language and uses graphics to emphasize key points. Rita demonstrates how a profit-and-loss statement is really just a historical view of the business.

She goes on to show how the balance sheet is a snapshot of the business at any one time. And she reveals that the cash flow forecast looks at the future cash position of the company in terms of income and expenditure.

Using the device of contrasting the apparent worldliness of a well-educated company director and the business acumen of the streetwise owner of a small factory, we're shown how the whole process of business finance works.

Although finance won't necessarily become anyone's favorite topic, the lessons in this Video Arts production will make it more understandable. By the end of the video, key financial documents will hold no fear for any manager, at whatever level, or for trainee accounting staff and others who need to know the practical value of complex-sounding concepts.

• 1 The Balance Sheet Barrier Video starring John Cleese
• 1 Balance Sheet Barrier Particpant Worksheets (on Disk)
• 1 Balance Sheet Barrier PowerPoint Slides
• 1 Balance Sheet Barrier Self Study Workbook (on Disk)