Press Release OREM, Utah – September 4, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: A leading global engineering and professional services firm has joined forces with Acumen Learning to enhance its business acumen and leadership capabilities within their leaders. In a highly competitive industry, this large organization understands the importance of equipping its leaders with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of their field. This strategic collaboration proves the firm’s dedication to prepare mid-level managers for senior and executive-level leadership roles while emphasizing the need for a balanced understanding of the business aspects of their industry. The attendees included individuals in the engineering department, sales leaders, HR professionals, finance and accounting experts, and IT leaders. The session placed a strong emphasis on enhancing the skills of their functionally brilliant employees and assisting them in achieving a blend of their technical proficiency and business acumen. As the firm strives for continued success, this partnership with Acumen Learning underscores its dedication to cultivating well-rounded leaders who can navigate the intricate intersection of technical expertise and business acumen. The initial training received overwhelming praise, with a remarkable 92 Net Promoter Score. Participants expressed their satisfaction and eagerness for more sessions in the coming year, signaling a strong commitment to personal and professional growth. Acumen Learning is excited to continue expanding its reach into the engineering and professional services sector. This partnership adds another industry-leading company to our portfolio, solidifying its reputation as a trusted provider of business acumen and strategy training across diverse sectors. Supporting Quotes: “It was very very informative and very relevant. Literally one of the best trainings on business I have ever taken.” “It was very informative. Something I will take back to my teams and try to use on a more regular basis.” “It was a great overview on the financial drivers from a high level and made it relatable and tied to our statements and leadership expectations from managers.” “I really enjoyed it. I’ve never had a course like this and learned so much. Learning about financials really helped me to better understand why we focus on DL, utilization, DSO... these often seem like all we hear about, which is tough when you feel like you’re working so hard. Finding other ways to motivate staff as to why we’re focused on it will be important...and I think I now have the starting blocks to do that.” “This was a VERY helpful course and hit all the high points of what I needed to know and also gave me context for where they fit into leadership’s view of things and growth plans for our firm.” “It’s gratifying to witness the participants commitment to honing their business acumen and leadership skills," says Acumen Learning's Senior Financial consultant, Monty Magleby. "I love helping these functionally brilliant leaders hone in their business acumen. Our partnership aims to empower these exceptional individuals with a well-rounded understanding of their industry and I look forward to supporting their journey toward personal and professional growth.” About Acumen Learning Founded in 2002, Acumen Learning's highly customized business acumen and sales training programs have helped organizations develop employees who are more engaged, efficient, and effective in their work. To further support its mission, Acumen Learning published, Seeing the Big Picture – Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company, in 2012 which quickly became a #1 Wall Street Journal and a New York Times bestseller. More than 20 years later, Acumen Learning has been trusted by more than 200 organizations on six continents to help employees understand how their company makes money, and to take real steps towards improving that process.

We’ve done an interview with one of our Senior Financial Consultants, Greg Kandare to help you better understand the importance of business acumen and a culture of learning: Question: Greg, can you explain why business acumen is so important in today's rapidly changing business landscape? Absolutely, in today's business world, change is constant. To navigate this ever-evolving landscape effectively, organizations need employees who understand the intricacies of how businesses operate. Business acumen provides that understanding. It encompasses a deep knowledge of various business principles, strategies, and concepts, giving employees the ability to make informed decisions and contribute strategically. In essence, it empowers individuals to not only adapt to change but also drive the success of the organization by making meaningful contributions. Question: How does teaching individuals how to learn contribute to self-sufficiency and independence in their growth and development? You are exactly right in your question, teaching individuals how to learn is all about fostering self-sufficiency and independence. When employees acquire the skills and mindset needed to become lifelong learners, they gain confidence and adaptability. They no longer rely solely on external sources for knowledge; instead, they become self-sufficient in acquiring the information and skills they need to excel in their roles. This self-sufficiency is a valuable asset in a rapidly changing business landscape. Question: How does fostering a culture of learning benefit organizations? Great question. Fostering a culture of learning within an organization is incredibly beneficial. When employees are encouraged to share their knowledge and insights, it creates a collaborative environment where everyone can learn from each other. This culture of knowledge sharing becomes a powerful catalyst for growth and continuous improvement. It promotes innovation, problem-solving, and a sense of ownership among employees. Executives who embrace their role as teachers and learners set the tone for the entire organization, creating an environment where continuous learning is not only valued but also prioritized. Question: Greg, can you elaborate on how business acumen training enhances communication and leadership skills? Business acumen training is not just about understanding business concepts; it also involves teaching essential communication and leadership skills. When individuals learn how to effectively convey their knowledge and expertise, they become better teachers. They develop skills such as active listening, articulation, and the ability to simplify complex ideas, which are crucial for effective communication. Additionally, by being open to learning, individuals foster a growth mindset, enhance their leadership abilities, and create an atmosphere of collaboration and knowledge sharing. So, business acumen training is an investment in your employees' personal development and career growth, benefiting both the individual and the organization. Question: In your opinion, how does teaching people to learn and then teach contribute to a culture of continuous learning and growth within organizations? Teaching people how to learn and then teach their skills is a transformative approach that cross-trains individuals and empowers them with a diverse skill set. This approach creates a culture where continuous learning and growth are at the core of the organization. It encourages employees to adapt to change, contribute strategically, and inspire their colleagues. By embracing the power of business acumen and teaching individuals how to learn and teach, organizations cultivate a future where learning and growth are not just encouraged but ingrained in the company's DNA. Business Acumen Skills for Managers and Leaders: Question: Greg, you’ve done your fair share of being a manager and in leadership positions. How does the process of learning and teaching benefit leaders and managers within a business, and how does business acumen serve as a valuable asset in their roles? That’s a great question! There’s no doubt that learning and teaching are instrumental in the roles of leaders and managers. When leaders embrace their role as teachers, they foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing among their teams. This promotes innovation, problem-solving, and a sense of ownership, ultimately driving the organization forward. Business acumen is a valuable tool for leaders as it helps them make informed strategic decisions, align their teams with the company's goals, and effectively communicate the rationale behind their choices. It enables leaders to inspire their teams by demonstrating a deep understanding of the business and its dynamics, creating a more engaged and motivated workforce. Question: Last question Greg. I want to pivot a bit more towards sales. How does the process of learning and teaching benefit leaders and managers within a business, and how does business acumen serve as an advantage? Learning and teaching can be transformative for individuals in sales roles. When sales professionals are equipped with the ability to teach, they can effectively communicate complex ideas and concepts to clients and prospects. This skill allows them to build stronger relationships, provide more value, and close deals more effectively. Business acumen is a critical component because it helps salespeople understand the broader business context, align their solutions with clients' strategic objectives, and make informed decisions. It empowers them to be consultative sellers, creating win-win situations for both the customer and the organization. ACTIVITY: Now that you've explored the impact of what a learning environment can do for a company, let's engage in a learning activity you can easily do during your next team meeting: Exercise: Business Acumen Brainstorm Ask your team to jot down practical and actionable initiatives that they believe can help enhance business acumen and promote a culture of learning within the organization. Have each team member share one idea. Write these ideas down and create a list of actionable initiatives. Discuss as a group which ideas are the most feasible and impactful. Determine how these initiatives can be implemented and develop an action plan. This exercise is a quick and interactive way to engage your team in generating practical ideas for enhancing business acumen and a culture of learning. It doesn't require lengthy presentations and can be completed in a shorter time frame, making it more doable for your team. Continue your learning.... What Your CEO Needs You to Know The Drama of Earnings Calls Teaching People to be Teachers How to Teach Sales People with Business Acumen Next Steps… Understanding Earnings Calls: Understand the art of earnings calls and how you can get the most out of them! Use this brilliant tool to learn about your own company or one you find interesting: Get a demo of our business acumen training for sales: Get a demo of our business acumen training: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Business Acumen videos! ✅ Follow us on LinkedIn @AcumenLearning to keep up with all company updates! ✅ For more on our business acumen training visit our website! #businessacumen #businessstrategy #financialacumen #financialstrategy #learninganddevelopment #HR #leadershipdevelopment #training #onlinetraining #businesssuccess #people #financialcompetency #change #learning #L&D

Making smart investments is crucial for the success and growth of any business. Investing money can be a daunting activity. How do you know if the investment is going to succeed? How do you know the right place to invest? How do you know the right timing? How do you know it isn’t just going to flop? With business acumen you can gain insight into the investments you’re looking at. You can have greater context with their past growth, what the expected future growth is going to be, and the odds of it playing out in your favor. Business acumen will help you understand the calculations used to predict the expected returns. By carefully selecting the right opportunities and allocating resources wisely, businesses can maximize their returns and build a strong financial foundation for the future. Here are some key considerations for making smart investments in your business: 1. Identify your business goals and objectives: Before making any investments, it's important to have a clear understanding of your business's goals and objectives. This will help you prioritize your investments and ensure that they align with your overall business strategy. Get our best selling book, Seeing the Big Picture: This booked is aimed to help you see and understand the broader picture of your organization. Are you pulling the right levers and doing the right things to help not only your own personal growth, but the growth of the business. 2. Use business acumen to conduct thorough research and analysis: Before committing to any investment, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and analysis to understand the potential risks and rewards. This may involve analyzing market trends, studying the competition, and examining the financial health of the company or opportunity you are considering. 3. Consider the potential return on investment: When making an investment, it's important to consider the potential return on investment (ROI). This will help you evaluate whether the investment is likely to generate a sufficient return to justify the risks and costs involved. How to Analyze your Investments using Business Acumen: Number 1 - A dollar today is worth more than a dollar a year from now. We call that time value of money. Number 2 - It costs you to use your investment dollars. We call that the weighted average cost of capital. Figure out what that is and make sure that your investments are going to be greater than that weighted average cost of capital. Number 3 - Net present value, if that's positive that means your return is greater than the hurdle rate that you're using. If it's negative it's less than that. Again we want to make sure that our returns are greater than the expected rate our investment community expects from us. Number 4 - Internal rate of return gives you the actual return you're getting on this investment. 4. Diversify your investments: Diversification is a key principle of smart investing. By spreading your investments across different opportunities and asset classes, you can reduce the impact of any individual investment that may not perform as expected. Attend a preview of our course: 5. Monitor and review your investments regularly: Once you have made an investment, it's important to monitor and review it regularly to ensure that it is performing as expected. This may involve tracking financial metrics, staying informed about market trends, and making adjustments as needed. Movie Pass Profit Drain Case Study: This is a great example of an investment in a company gone wrong. The investment went south because of its success! You don’t hear about that very often. Whether it was because of lack of business acumen, unaware of the losses it would bring if it succeeded or executing without proper planning, the theatre industry lost a lot of money because of this. In conclusion, harnessing the power of business acumen can significantly enhance your ability to make intelligent investment decisions, analyze opportunities effectively, and position your business (or personal investments) for long-term success. With business acumen as your guiding compass, you gain valuable insights into the investments you're considering. You’ll understand their historical growth, projected future performance, and likelihood of favorable returns. This knowledge empowers you to make informed business decisions, ensuring that your investments align with your business goals and yield optimal returns. By employing the key principles of business acumen, such as understanding the time value of money, evaluating return on investment, assessing net present value, and calculating internal rate of return, you can navigate the investment landscape with confidence. Remember, making smart investments is not just about taking risks; it's about taking calculated risks based on a solid foundation of business acumen. By integrating these practices into your investment strategy, you pave the way for a resilient financial future and position your business for continued growth and prosperity. Continue your learning by downloading the course overview for our Building Business Acumen Course: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Business Acumen videos! ✅ Follow us on LinkedIn @AcumenLearning to keep up with all company updates! ✅ For more on our business acumen training visit our website! #businessacumen #businessstrategy #financialacumen #financialstrategy #learninganddevelopment #HR #leadershipdevelopment #training #businesssuccess #people #industry #financialcompetency #investments #ROI #returnoninvestment #businessinvestment #investinyourbusiness #investments

We have several different generations in the workforce right now. We all have different personalities, unique responses, and opinions about things, and we’re all very different from each other. Managing a baby boomer is going to be an extremely different task than managing someone from Gen Z or Gen X. We are living in a unique time with unique individuals so what are the most needed skills to not only survive but succeed in the modern workplace? Introduction: The workforce in general has always been made up of people with vastly different personalities, experiences, and backgrounds. It’s not an easy task for managers and executives to lead teams and encourage their employees in the unique ways each person needs it. We’re now facing a workforce with an extra factor: generational differences. In today's workforce, we have several different generations coexisting, each with their own unique personalities, responses, and opinions. Supervising a baby boomer is vastly different from managing someone from Gen Z or Gen X. We are living in a unique time with diverse individuals, making it crucial to identify the most needed skills for not only surviving but thriving in the modern workplace. A study conducted by Purdue University highlights the generational differences in the workforce, shedding light on the importance of equipping employees with specific skills to bridge these gaps and foster success. Business acumen is the key to developing the top three skills that enable employees to navigate generational differences and achieve excellence in the workplace. How Business Acumen Can Help Your Business Relationships: Situational understanding is just as important in business. And it’s more critical in business now than ever. We’ve all heard the statistic that buyers have 70% of their process complete before they even meet with you. They’re now doing their own research beforehand to figure out what they want and need, to make their time with you more efficient. In some ways, this can be great! However, the sales process used to be a lot of education to the buyers, now it is much more about creating urgency. It’s not about educating or sharing your product anymore, it’s being a consultant. It’s about understanding their problem and being able to offer solutions that solve that problem. So how can we educate ourselves to be able to articulate situational understanding? The Purdue Study: The study conducted by Purdue University examined the generational differences in the workforce and their implications for management and collaboration. The research revealed fascinating insights into the distinct characteristics and preferences of different generations, including baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. Understanding these differences is essential for creating an inclusive and productive work environment. 1. Adaptability and Flexibility: One of the most crucial skills in bridging the differences in each other is adaptability. Each generation has its own unique set of values, work styles, and communication preferences. Employees who can adapt their approach to accommodate diverse perspectives and expectations are better positioned to build strong relationships and foster collaboration. Adaptability enables individuals to navigate the complexities of working with colleagues from different generations, embracing diverse ideas, and finding common ground. 2. Effective Communication: Effective communication is paramount when bridging generational gaps in the workplace. Isn’t communication the key to marriage? Or the key to friendships? Communication is also key in the workforce. Each generation has its preferred communication methods, whether it's face-to-face conversations, email, instant messaging, or social media platforms. Employees who can communicate effectively can bridge gaps, build trust, and facilitate meaningful collaboration. Understanding the nuances of generational communication styles and adapting one's communication approach accordingly is key to fostering understanding and avoiding miscommunication. Elevating your Workplace Performance: 3. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Empathy and emotional intelligence play a vital role in not only navigating generational differences but being an effective leader in general. Everyone has their own set of life experiences, values, and expectations shaped by the social, economic, and technological context in which they grew up. Now once you throw in generational differences, we’re now working with even more factors. Managers and employees who can empathize with the perspectives and challenges of colleagues can build stronger relationships, enhance teamwork, and promote a culture of inclusivity. Harvard business school highlighted a study done on emotional intelligence. It states that “emotional intelligence is the strongest predictor of performance. And hiring managers have noticed 71 percent of employers surveyed by CareerBuilder said they value EQ over IQ, reporting that employees with high emotional intelligence are more likely to stay calm under pressure, resolve conflict effectively, and respond to co-workers with empathy." Business acumen is a key way in being able to understand the best ways to navigate emotional intelligence and enhance EQ. When you understand business acumen, you’re able to make smarter business decisions based on the factors you’ve been given. Developing emotional intelligence allows individuals to recognize and manage their emotions and understand the emotions of others, fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. How to Succeed in the Modern Workplace: As we navigate a workforce composed of various personalities, multiple generations, and individuals with vastly different backgrounds, understanding business acumen can bridge generational differences. It is crucial for organizational success. Business acumen is the gateway to understanding the needs of the people around you. The Purdue University study sheds light on the unique characteristics and preferences of each generation, emphasizing the importance of equipping employees with specific skills to foster collaboration and productivity. Adaptability, effective communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence emerge as the top three skills necessary to bridge generational gaps and create an inclusive and thriving workplace. By developing these skills, organizations can empower their employees to navigate diverse perspectives, leverage the strengths of different generations, and drive success in the modern workplace. Navigating Change in the Workforce: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Business Acumen videos! ✅ Follow us on LinkedIn @AcumenLearning to keep up with all company updates! ✅ For more on our business acumen training visit our website! #businessacumen #businessstrategy #financialacumen #financialstrategy #learninganddevelopment #HR #leadershipdevelopment #training #businesssuccess #people #financialcompetency #generations #GenX #GenY #BabyBoomers #CareerBuilder #HarvardBusinessSchool #PurdueUniversity #adapt #communication #emotionalintelligence

Finance professionals are not exempt from the influence of business acumen! Don't snooze on the invaluable tools available to enhance your career, strengthen your credibility, and expand your business and financial expertise. In this video we help you do just that, read the transcript of the video below: Understanding the Complexity of Finance: “If you've ever asked finance for more money you usually get two answers and they come in an interesting order. So first you get the answer "no" the next answer comes in the form of a question – an incredulous "why?" Why would you ever want more money? Now maybe that's a little harsh and just like any other department, finance is actually a group of different functions. Usually when we say 'finance' we're talking about accounting. But in reality, there are a bunch of other groups like treasury, cash management, financial planning and analysis, billing, payables, and more. You may even have a finance function integrated in your own department. So for example, if you're in the CPG world, the revenue growth management function can be thought of as a finance function that helps the business with pricing to ensure promos and other trade dollars are invested wisely. Get a demo of our business acumen training: Business Acumen will Transform Financial Professionals into Strategic Partners: Regardless of how you think about the finance function, business acumen is key for every financial professional. Especially if they want to be seen as business partners rather than bean counters. You would think that business acumen is an inherent skill that all finance professionals are born with or at least it's beat into them during school. But having been in or around finance departments for nearly 20 years now, I've noticed that even finance professionals have gaps in their business acumen. When professionals first enter the corporate finance department a lot of us are just trying to understand exactly what we're doing. We may know debits and credits but we may never have applied them to an actual business. For example what is a credit to revenue actually mean? We may know how to calculate metrics like EBITDA but how do we use EBITDA to make actual business decisions? Get our best selling book, Seeing the Big Picture: Empowering Financial Professionals for Strategic Impact: So, whether you're a finance professional or you work with one, be aware of two big gaps that we have to overcome to be better partners to the business. The first gap is not just having the technical knowledge but being able to apply it to the business. For example, each month we close the books. We look at variances and we issue reports. But do we really understand how our business works? Have we spoken to business owners or department leaders to understand the trends that they're seeing, the challenges that they're facing, or even the external pressures we may not even understand? If revenue goes up, can we point to a specific action we took to grow? Did we change pricing? Did we run a promotion to push volume? Have we pushed certain products that change the mix of our revenue? If we issue reports but we can't have an intelligent conversation with our bosses or the business about movements in those numbers or variances to budget and plan, we will be seen as bean counters and paper pushers. We need to know why the numbers moved and what's driving the business. But all of that is looking into the past. It's important that we understand the context of the business and the levers we pulled to achieve the performance. But as a business partner we need to be more than just good analysts. We need to help the business push into the present and into the future. Use Business Acumen to Connect with your Strategy: And that leads us to gap number two. Gap number two is our failure to connect with our strategy at multiple levels. Our own department strategy, the strategy of the businesses we support, and ultimately the overall corporate strategy. But knowing that we want profitable growth through differentiated products and services by being radically customer centric, isn't enough. We need to know why? What forces in the market are we facing? Be it competitive, regulatory, or even sourcing challenges. What are the trends in our industry? Where is our business in the business life cycle? Where is the economy in its latest cycle? Who is our customer? Where are we not going to play? We need to understand all of that context so we can take what we learned by filling gap number one and help the business identify appropriate initiatives, help them measure the behaviors we need to see, help write compelling and strategically aligned business plans for new initiatives. Even create financing opportunities to pay for the new initiatives, anticipate shifts in strategy, metrics, and performance, and on and on and on. If we want to be business partners we have to think like the business — like business owners not just purveyors of P&L's, not just experts on EBITDA. Attend a FREE earnings call debrief: Download the FREE tool - the earnings call workbook: Become the Strategic Partner Your Business Needs Using Business Acumen: So, here's my challenge to you. If you are a finance professional or you want to play one on TV, continue developing your own business acumen to be the partner your business needs. And you can do it by doing two things! Number one – know what forces are driving current and past performance to help business owners get more out of the numbers. And number two - know where the business is going and why so you can be a positive force driving your business to further success.” Why Business Acumen is Essential for Financial Professionals: For financial professionals, business acumen is essential for success... not only within your organization but also for your career as a whole. The good news is that you’ve already got a big head start with your understanding of the financial portion. So, you just need to focus on developing a complete understanding of the strategy and skill. With business acumen, you work to understand the WHOLE business, not just the numbers part of it. Then you’ll develop the skills you need to effectively communicate findings and plans with colleagues and clients. Essentially, you’re learning to speak the language of business. Finish the article: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Business Acumen videos! ✅ Follow us on LinkedIn @AcumenLearning to keep up with all company updates! ✅ For more on our business acumen training visit our website! #businessacumen #businessstrategy #financialacumen #financialstrategy #learninganddevelopment #HR #culture #leadershipdevelopment #training #finance #businesssuccess #people #financialcompetency #financialsuccess #businesssuccess

Press Release OREM, Utah – May 24, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: One of the top 10 automotive technology suppliers in the world partnered with Acumen Learning to enhance their business acumen for change management initiatives. To align people managers, seasoned manufacturing employees, and engineers in the European sector — who are often faced with restructuring expenses and supply chain challenges — the company sought assistance to overcome these hurdles. They needed business acumen tools to navigate these obstacles effectively. Acumen Learning developed a tailored one-day business acumen course specifically catering to the Connected System (CS) business unit of the company. The course aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the manufacturing business, enabling them to recognize the direct impact of their individual roles on the company’s overall performance. During the course, we collectively addressed the bottlenecks hindering plant operations and explored strategies to eliminate them. After the one-day business acumen training, the team members expressed a strong interest in exploring the concepts further. They were highly engaged and enthusiastic, leading the company to add an extra course for the Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) business unit. We addressed their specific challenges and helped align the CS and EDS units with their goals. The company is now eager to implement the training into their sales teams and different sectors around the world. Acumen Learning is confident in our expertise in collaborating with automotive technology suppliers, and we are delighted to welcome another top 10 global company to our esteemed list of clients. Supporting Quotes: “Very practical exercises. Some very constructive points. All in all [our] feedback is only positive.” “Great Course! Helped us to see the big picture.” “Thank you for making this happen and Kelvin, thank you for not sleeping. You had great energy! Congratulation to all. The feedback was very good.” “Very well done. We will meet with our colleagues around the world about the training.” “It has been clear to us in our 20+ years of working with every industry, every function, and in every geography, that every business needs smarter businesspeople at all levels,” says Ben Cook, President of Acumen Learning. “Business acumen equips each individual with the knowledge, insights, and mindset to make business-savvy decisions, seize new opportunities, and drive sustainable success. In today’s complex and interconnected world, developing strong business acumen is not just a competitive advantage; it is an essential skill for thriving in any role or industry.” “Facing challenges distinct to their industry, this automotive technology supplier demonstrates admirable foresight. I applaud them for seeking out business acumen to overcome these hurdles because it would have been extremely challenging to do it on their own. Their commitment to acquiring business acumen showcases their dedication to navigating the complexities of their industry with strategic insight and proficiency.” About Acumen Learning Founded in 2002, Acumen Learning's highly customized business acumen and sales training programs have helped organizations develop employees who are more engaged, efficient, and effective in their work. To further support its mission, Acumen Learning published, Seeing the Big Picture – Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company, in 2012 which quickly became a #1 Wall Street Journal and a New York Times bestseller. More than 20 years later, Acumen Learning has been trusted by more than 200 organizations on six continents to help employees understand how their company makes money, and to take real steps towards improving that process.

Why Online Training is the Best Invention Since Sliced Bread As a kid, did you ever feel as though homeschooling may have been the best option for you? You could do your schoolwork in your pajamas, on your own time, with a kind parent for a teacher? This is how we see online trainings. You can do them whenever you want, however many times you want, and re learn the same chapters to excel where you are lacking or feel passionate to explore. For some of us, in person trainings can be more beneficial. However, for a good portion of individuals, online training is the best thing the world has created! Benefits of Business Acumen Training Business acumen trainings gives you the upper hand that everybody wishes they had. In our online courses, you’re learning from enjoyable leaders who help push you to succeed, not accentuate your struggles. They’re knowledgeable in not only business acumen and business metrics, but in your very own company. Our business acumen courses are tailored to your specific company to help you understand the trajectory you are headed. How beneficial can a business acumen course be if the examples are completely irrelevant to your role or industry? This is our way of ensuring long term benefits. Business Acumen Training Demo Request a demo of our business acumen training: The 5-Driver Model (and beyond!) We know the fundamentals that every company is founded upon. We teach you them in our online course, help you to understand where they connect to your role, how to best utilize them, and incorporate them into your conversations. We call this the 5-driver model. Once you have these basics down, we take the financial statements of your own company and teach you how to effectively analyze them. We show you how to utilize the information given in the financials to assess the trajectory of your company and make decisions accordingly. These are tools and resources that are vital to your career. You can take advantage of them now but will also gain the knowledge of how to incorporate them into your future career moves. And lastly, we hand you an extensive number of tools to take with you through your career: things like action plans, case studies, and earnings call workbooks. Use these tools to be an integral leader in your company. Seeing the Big Picture Get your hands on our best selling book, Seeing the Big Picture: Why Not a Simulation? My major beef with simulations is that they do not provide you with the opportunity for the customized approach that most companies are looking for...if they allow for any customization at all. The customization part is really critical in allowing for the full impact of business acumen training. Would you tell your employees to go play Monopoly, and after assume that they'll be good at real estate investment? No! You need training that is specific to your company, organization, and industry to allow your employees to better take what they learn in the training, and apply it on the job. How to Think and Act like a CEO We’re here to teach you the skills to think and act like a CEO. Business acumen can benefit you no matter what stage you’re in. Whether you’re a student, a self-employed entrepreneur, or already in your dream career, we want you to succeed. You can always learn new things to help you progress in the workspace but also as a competent individual. Business acumen helps you to make the most out of your career. Building Business Acumen Overview Continue your learning and download the course overview for our Building Business Acumen Course. ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Business Acumen videos! ✅ Follow us on LinkedIn @AcumenLearning to keep up with all company updates! ✅ For more on our business acumen training visit our website! #businessacumen #businessstrategy #learninganddevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #financetraining #businesstraining #financialstrategy #financialacumen #businesssuccess #businesssuccess #onlinelearning #seeingthebigpicture #onlinecourse #onlinebusinessacumentraining #CEO

Press Release OREM, Utah – April 14, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: A downstream energy company partnered with Acumen Learning for customized business acumen courses to help their leaders make better business decisions. This company's unique diversity spans three sectors in the energy space: refining, logistics, and convenience stores. They have strategically invested in customized business acumen training to unlock the potential synergies within these sectors. The aim is to empower their leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. By fostering integration and efficiency, the company is poised for accelerated growth and increased profitability across the entire organization. To address their specific needs, we crafted a highly customized and immersive 2-day business acumen course for their HR and IT professionals, and numerous operations leaders. The course aimed to educate participants on essential business topics, foster strategic synergies and efficiencies among the three sectors, and empower these leaders to effectively implement business acumen principles in their respective roles. These leaders are now well-positioned to navigate challenges and contribute to the company's long-term success in a rapidly evolving business environment. The training made a profound impact on the HR, IT, and operations leaders, as reflected by an outstanding Net Promoter Score of 91. This remarkable score signifies that participants not only had an exceptional learning experience but also highly recommend the course to their colleagues. Acumen Learning is excited about our partnership with this downstream energy company. We now work with 4 of the top 10 largest oil and gas companies in the world! Supporting Quotes: “I thought this course was incredibly informative. I didn’t know much regarding finance coming into this course, but I am genuinely leaving with an in-depth understanding of how a business is run. This will help me better communicate with my employees.” “Enjoyed seeing my company’s actual numbers and understanding the terms in relation to that. Loved filling out the metrics!” “Course was absolutely amazing in pace, subject matter, interaction, group working vs individual, discussion and takeaways. Looking forward to reading the book and following up afterward with further discussions with my course partner.” “I thought it was a great glimpse into the financial side of our company. The instructor was very engaging and had a great knowledge of the subject matter.” “This was a really good training to start understanding how to read the financial numbers and understand the leadership viewpoints.” “I am thrilled to collaborate with this energy company and empower their leaders to make informed and effective business decisions. While this type of training may not typically generate excitement among HR, IT, and Operations leaders, it was inspiring to witness their engagement and observe how much they learned! I eagerly look forward to continuing our partnership and working closely with leaders across the entire organization.” About Acumen Learning Founded in 2002, Acumen Learning's highly customized business acumen and sales training programs have helped organizations develop employees who are more engaged, efficient, and effective in their work. To further support its mission, Acumen Learning published, Seeing the Big Picture – Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company, in 2012 which quickly became a #1 Wall Street Journal and a New York Times bestseller. More than 20 years later, Acumen Learning has been trusted by more than 200 organizations on six continents to help employees understand how their company makes money, and to take real steps towards improving that process.

Press Release OREM, Utah – April 14, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: Acumen Learning Wins Partnership with Fortune 500 Investment Bank for Customized Business Acumen Courses. The investment bank sought out Acumen Learning to improve the understanding of the C-suite and enhance communication skills among their sales executives and client-facing managers. Acumen Learning's customized business acumen course was taught to account executives, solutions architects, marketing professionals, and several client-facing roles. The course focused on building these leaders' skills to gain insights on publicly recorded information, engage in meaningful conversations, and establish stronger connections with executives and C-suite members. The attendees of the business acumen course highly praised the program, as it provided them with a deeper understanding of the C-suite and equipped them with effective strategies for engaging with executives. Acumen Learning has a proven track record of delivering customized business acumen courses to 16 different financial institutions, including 3 of the Top 10 Fortune 500 Financial Companies. This successful partnership further cements Acumen Learning's reputation as a top provider of business acumen training. The company's expertise in providing customized training to companies on the Fortune 500 list, including 32 of the Fortune 50, has attracted attention from financial institutions looking to enhance their employees' skills and knowledge. Business and financial acumen training can help employees understand the bigger picture, see how their work fits into the company's overall goals, and make better decisions that benefit the company and its clients. Supporting Quotes: "The course was fantastic, very well run and informative. I found it really insightful and finally understand how to read company quarterly and annual statements. The session was interactive, which I enjoyed immensely." "The class was very helpful and relevant. The trainer was good and knowledgeable. I really liked learning the 5 Drivers, which will help me make better decisions with my team. The course content was excellent, and the pace was just right. I would highly recommend it." "We've seen a record number of financial institutions reaching out to us over the last two years, seeking to equip their employees with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the complexities facing their industry," notes Brent Barclay, COO of Acumen Learning, "From the new digital wallet competition coming from tech giants like Apple, Google, and Paypal to the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, it's more important than ever for financial professionals to have a strong understanding of business acumen. We're proud to be at the forefront of this effort, helping to build the leaders of tomorrow in the financial industry." As Ryan Hunt, Senior Financial Consultant with Acumen Learning, notes: "Financial institutions are facing unprecedented levels of disruption and competition, and the ability to navigate this changing landscape has become a key differentiator. At Acumen Learning, we're committed to providing the training and development that financial professionals need to succeed in this environment. Our business acumen courses are designed to provide real-world insights and practical skills that help our clients stay ahead of the curve and drive success in their businesses." About Acumen Learning Founded in 2002, Acumen Learning's highly customized business acumen and sales training programs have helped organizations develop employees who are more engaged, efficient, and effective in their work. To further support its mission, Acumen Learning published, Seeing the Big Picture – Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company, in 2012 which quickly became a #1 Wall Street Journal and a New York Times bestseller. More than 20 years later, Acumen Learning has been trusted by more than 200 organizations on six continents to help employees understand how their company makes money, and to take real steps towards improving that process.

Business acumen is a vital skill for professionals working in the technology industry. With the rapid pace of innovation and constantly evolving market trends, technology companies require individuals who possess a deep understanding of both the technological and business aspects of their industry. Google’s Use of Business Acumen One real-life example of the importance of business acumen in the technology industry is the story of Google. Despite entering a market dominated by Apple's iOS, Google was able to quickly gain market share by offering an open-source platform, Android, that allowed developers to create a wide range of apps and services. This move helped Google to establish itself as a leader in the tech industry and generate significant revenue from app sales and advertising. Google's leadership team understood the importance of developing products that met the needs of their customers while also generating revenue. They implemented innovative business strategies, such as targeted advertising and data analytics, to help the company grow and remain competitive. Statistics emphasize the importance of business acumen for technology companies like Google. In a survey done by Cisco, business acumen was identified as one of the biggest gaps for IT professionals and one of the "top five musts for overcoming the talent gap." Cisco continues to explain that "It’s not enough for digital leaders to simply foster business acumen; they need to translate it into a clear and compelling vision of what technology can do for the company." Furthermore, companies with executives who possess both technical and business expertise are more likely to achieve sustained growth and profitability. These findings highlight that a profound comprehension of market dynamics, financial management, and partnership development is vital for success in the technology industry. Test your Business Acumen Take this 10 Question Quiz and find out how your business acumen compares to your peers: Why is Business Acumen Important for Tech? There are several reasons why business acumen is crucial in the technology industry. We could spend all day, so to save you the time, we have listed 3 of them below. It enables professionals to understand the market dynamics that drive the industry. With a deep understanding of market trends and consumer behavior, technology companies can develop products that meet the needs of their customers and remain relevant in a highly competitive landscape. Business acumen enables technology companies to make informed financial decisions. This includes managing budgets, forecasting revenue, and making investments that will generate a positive return on investment. Business acumen is essential for developing and maintaining strong partnerships with other companies. This includes negotiating contracts, building relationships with suppliers, and identifying opportunities for collaboration. Building Business Acumen Course: Download the course overview for our Building Business Acumen Course: Building Your Business Acumen In conclusion, business acumen is a vital skill for professionals working in the technology industry. The story of Google and the statistics demonstrating the importance of business acumen both underscore this fact. With the rapid pace of innovation and constantly evolving market trends, technology companies require individuals who possess both technical and business expertise to remain competitive and successful. So how do you develop your business acumen skills? Our courses are tailored specifically for you and your needs! Our strategy, finance, and business acumen training courses teach leaders to improve performance, make bolder more profitable decisions, and outperform the competition. Who doesn’t need that? Attend a preview of our course at the link below Business Acumen as it Applies to IT: ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Business Acumen videos! ✅ Follow us on LinkedIn @AcumenLearning to keep up with all company updates! ✅ For more on our business acumen training visit our website! #businessacumen #businessstrategy #learninganddevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #financialstrategy #financialacumen #industry #tech #technologyindustry #businesssuccess #google

A Newly Acquired Manufacturer Partnered with Acumen Learning to Offer Customized Business Acumen Training to Ensure a Seamless Transition Press Release OREM, Utah – March 27, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: In order to ensure a seamless transition strategy, a newly acquired American manufacturing company has partnered with Acumen Learning to offer customized business acumen training. The company has established itself as a leader in its industry but recognized the importance of enhancing its business acumen skills during the acquisition process and moving forward. The company’s large manufacturing base, combined with its strong dealer network, gives it a distinctive position in the industry. The company stands out by prioritizing innovation, investing in R&D to improve their products and meeting customers' evolving needs. To support these objectives, Acumen Learning provided a customized business acumen course to the company’s mid and senior-level leadership teams. The course focused on aligning the company’s strategies and growth objectives across the entire leadership team. A top priority for the company was ensuring that the best practices established by the company’s founders were successfully integrated into the culture of the new larger organization, paving the way for a seamless transition and long-term success. The results of this business acumen course have been well received by participants who gave it a perfect Net Promoter Score of 100—every participant would highly recommend this business acumen course to their peers. Acumen Learning has now worked with several global manufacturing companies offering customized business and financial acumen courses designed to help them with their number one priority to meet production targets while maintaining quality. Supporting Quotes: “I loved the delivery method — a mix of teaching, storytelling and facilitating interesting dialogue. As an individual who deals more in words than in numbers, I'm pleasantly surprised to feel confident now to read our next balance sheet.” “Great mechanism for tying together the concepts that we hear from executives but don't always understand.” “Excellent! Understanding how different activities impact the org's financials is not something I have been exposed to in the past.” “As a CPA, I appreciated the refresher on how to summarize key concepts in a way that is easy for others to comprehend.” "I truly believe that investing in business skills can help companies navigate changes like acquisitions more successfully and smoothly," said Acumen Learning's Director of Business Development, Brian Peterson. "I’m confident that the knowledge and insights gained through this program will be a valuable asset to this company long after its transition.” About Acumen Learning Founded in 2002, Acumen Learning's highly customized business acumen and sales training programs have helped organizations develop employees who are more engaged, efficient, and effective in their work. To further support its mission, Acumen Learning published, Seeing the Big Picture – Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company, in 2012 which quickly became a #1 Wall Street Journal and a New York Times bestseller. More than 20 years later, Acumen Learning has been trusted by more than 200 organizations on six continents to help employees understand how their company makes money, and to take real steps towards improving that process.

Press Release OREM, Utah – March 08, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: While partnering with Acumen Learning, a Fortune 500 utility company learned how to make better business decisions using business acumen. This company faced various challenges specific to their industry due to strict government regulations. To overcome these obstacles, they enlisted the help of Acumen Learning to enhance their managers’ business acumen abilities. The utility company took the initiative to enhance its employees’ business acumen skills and understanding of the company’s operations. While there are several company-wide metrics in place, not all employees are familiar with them. To accomplish this initiative, all mid to upper-level managers attended the course to gain a better understanding of their own business and its operations. As part of this effort, the Performance Based Regulations (PBR) metric was thoroughly walked through during the course which is highly relevant to the utility industry. The business acumen course was perceived well and ranked highly among the other leadership development courses that have been offered at the utility company. The leaders walked away with a better understanding of the money-making process and how to better make business decisions. Acumen Learning has delivered customized business acumen courses to several companies on the Fortune 500 list, including 32 of the Fortune 50, further cementing its reputation as a top provider of business acumen training. Supporting Quotes: “Excellent. I really enjoyed all the integration with our company’s information. Very applicable and appreciate the customization (screenshots from our website, assets, HEI financial report).” “This course was very informative and gave me a better understanding of the utility consolidation of assets.” “I now have a much greater understanding of the financial jargon so commonly used at our company. It was very informative.” “Great course using our company’s own financial reports for the class.” “It has been clear to us in our 20+ years of working with every industry, every function, and in every geography, that every business needs smarter business people at all levels,” says Ben Cook, President of Acumen Learning. “Business acumen equips each individual with the knowledge, insights, and mindset to make business-savvy decisions, seize new opportunities, and drive sustainable success. In today’s complex and interconnected world, developing strong business acumen is not just a competitive advantage; it is an essential skill for thriving in any role or industry.” About Acumen Learning Founded in 2002, Acumen Learning's highly customized business acumen and sales training programs have helped organizations develop employees who are more engaged, efficient, and effective in their work. To further support its mission, Acumen Learning published, Seeing the Big Picture – Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company, in 2012 which quickly became a #1 Wall Street Journal and a New York Times bestseller. More than 20 years later, Acumen Learning has been trusted by more than 200 organizations on six continents to help employees understand how their company makes money, and to take real steps towards improving that process.