Vair Training

The Educational Philosophy of Vair Training

Vair Training provides highly-quantitative financial training courses with spreadsheet analysis. Our goal is to teach participants how to negotiate and analyze problem-solving from financial models. Traditionally, we take a series of models in a modular format with each exercise advancing in knowledge from the first, allowing the delegate to move forward at their own pace with our guidance. Vair believes in an intense hands-on approach to financial training, whereby the delegate learns by doing. Our courses are taught by active financial advisors and project developers who use the techniques imparted during training in real-time valuation and consulting. We use the same real-world methods and industry techniques we employ in class on behalf of our advisory clients.

Vair is decidedly not a PowerPoint-based training company. Instead, we use a learn-by-doing method. Our philosophy is to teach more than just Excel techniques and financial theory. We approach the model from three distinct points: 1) Technical, 2) Analytical, and 3) Commercial. Successful participants will master the tools required to conceive, build, and test a robust financial model that teach them to "negotiate off the model" and correctly "price the deal".

The Vair Difference

Unlike most training services, Vair is not a brokerage firm. Our trainers are our partners and collaborators. The basis of the training we conduct is the same financial modeling service that we provide to our advisory clients. Since our beginnings, our financial models and advisory services have closed over USD 3 billion in assets, so we are confident that the skills that we impart are the techniques that are being used in real-world financings. We take a very unique approach to modeling training in our three-pronged approach: First, Technical - we teach a "mouseless" approach to spreadsheets. On average, past delegates estimate that they become 36% more efficient modelers* after participating in a Vair course because of the keystroke and set-up skills they have acquired. Second, Financial - our background allows us to describe and to explore with the delegate critical financial theory in an easy manner, so the participant can better understand the rationale behind the model. Finally, and what we believe is our most unique approach compared to other training firms, Commercial - with each module we advance beyond the obvious and discuss the commercial implications behind the inputs and outputs. Vair's primary mantra is "Always negotiate off the model". Our advisory activities allow us to live by that mantra and proffer insights to the model that other firms cannot.

*Based on 2009 Vair Training past-delegate survey