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.

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

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.

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.

Change is an inevitable part of business, there's no way around it, only through it. In this Q&A with Ben Cook, President of Acumen Learning, we explore how the business landscape has evolved and what that means for developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's world. From navigating digital disruption to adapting to shifting consumer expectations, this Q&A offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you embrace change and stay ahead of the curve. Let's dive right in! Question: Ben, in your video, Changing with Business Acumen, you obviously mention the importance of business acumen in change management. Could you elaborate on how having good business acumen can help organizations determine what should change and why it's beneficial for them in the long term? Absolutely. Business acumen plays a crucial role in change management. When you have a strong understanding of the broader business landscape, including market dynamics, the competitive landscape, customer expectations, your supply chain nuances, and also things like your regulatory realities, you can better identify what aspects within your organization need to evolve. Business acumen allows you to see the bigger picture, distinguishing between what should remain the same for competitiveness and what needs to change for the organization's long-term viability and success. Question: So...there is some real benefit to understanding how to communicate the compelling reason for change. How does business acumen help leaders effectively communicate the "why" behind a change initiative? Excellent question. Business acumen provides the language of business and financials, which is vital when communicating the reasons for change. When leaders can explain not just what needs to change, but also why it's necessary in terms of its impact on innovation, customer perception, and your market competitiveness, it is much easier to get the team’s buy-in to what you are changing and can become more bought-into the solution. Understanding the financial implications and consequences of not changing is also essential to convey the urgency and importance of the transformation. Question: So then how does business acumen help individuals in different roles within an organization understand their role in the change and align with it? Yeah, this is a vital part of being a leader… not only making good decisions but also ensuring they understand the human element involved in the changes that are needed. Business acumen enables individuals to see how their specific roles fit into the broader organizational change. People are all looking for meaning in their roles. Whether you're in IT, operations, supply chain, HR, or any other department, having a solid understanding of business acumen allows you to grasp the context of your responsibilities within the larger direction the company is moving and the ‘why’ the company is doing it and how my part is vital in its success. It helps employees connect the dots between their daily tasks and the organization's overall transformation which adds an important layer of ‘why I should care and why I should support.’ Question: Ben, can you provide examples of how leaders can use business acumen to inspire and communicate change both upwards, downwards, and across their organization? Certainly. Business acumen provides the language needed to inspire and communicate change effectively. When communicating upwards to executives, using strategic business and financial language can help gain the support and resources from the senior leaders. When speaking to employees, simplifying the message to make it relevant, relatable, and actionable is key. And when communicating with peers, it's about showing how your change aligns with their specific goals that might be slightly different than yours. Business acumen helps convey the financial & strategic benefits of the change and each person's role in it, making the change process more efficient and successful. Question: Ben,"Grow or Die" is a saying that I think most of us have heard over the years. Harvard Business Review published an article back in 2018 and, in my opinion, I think it's more relevant today than ever. How does business acumen contribute to speeding up change management, and why is this acceleration important? Accelerating change is vital in today's fast-paced business environment. Technology and global nature of markets means business cycles move so much faster than they have before. Moves in the market happen so much faster and require that same urgency and immediacy from the market participants. Business acumen helps by enabling individuals to find the "why" behind change, identify opportunities, assess risks, secure buy-in from key stakeholders, and make well-informed decisions quickly. In a world where agility and responsiveness are critical, business acumen provides the tools to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances and seize opportunities before competitors do. Question: Ben, the article suggests that business acumen helps individuals gain a bigger picture perspective on how changes impact their organization. Can you explain how business acumen allows employees to see the ecosystem that their businesses participate in and make better decisions during times of change? Certainly. Business acumen helps employees step back and see the larger industry ecosystems they are involved in. It allows them to understand how different components of the business’ value chains interact and how changes in one area can ripple through the entire ecosystem. This broader perspective equips employees to make informed decisions during times of change because they can anticipate how their actions and decisions will affect other parts of the organization and thus the industry, their customers, and even their shareholders. Question: Ben, the article mentions cost-cutting strategies but also warns about the risks of cutting too deeply. Can you share insights on how business acumen can help leaders make informed decisions when it comes to cost-cutting without jeopardizing their core business? Absolutely. Business acumen allows leaders to understand the core of their company's revenue generation. It helps identify which costs are ancillary to the core business and can be trimmed without undermining essential functions, impacting quality, or slowing down the process of innovation. After all, you can’t cut your way to prosperity. You need to be aware of the inefficiencies and duplication of effort and then involve top talent in brainstorming innovative ideas to drive efficiency improvements. In doing this, leaders can then make more informed, more strategically-aware decisions about cost-cutting that protect the core business while ensuring its long-term sustainability. Question: Ben, the article emphasizes the importance of helping employees understand costs and the company's direction, especially during challenging times like recessions. How can organizations effectively help their teams develop business acumen, and why is this crucial? Developing business acumen among teams is essential during challenging times. Organizations can achieve this by providing training and education on financial literacy, cost levers, and the company's strategic goals. When employees understand the financial aspects of the business and the reasons behind decisions, they are more likely to see cost-cutting measures as strategic choices rather than knee-jerk reactions. This understanding fosters a sense of alignment and engagement, making the organization more resilient during difficult periods. Question: Ben, it's clear that developing business acumen is crucial for navigating change effectively. Can you also shed some light on how Acumen Learning, your organization, can specifically help team members, regardless of their roles, whether they're executives, in HR, sales, managers, or finance professionals, to better align with the goals of their company and excel in change management? Certainly, I'd be happy to. Acumen Learning specializes in equipping professionals from various backgrounds and roles with the essential skills of business acumen. Our tailored training programs are designed to empower individuals at all levels of an organization. Whether you're an executive, an up-and-coming manager, or a finance professional, our training can help you understand the financial aspects of your business, your industry, your customers & competitors, and the strategic goals of your company in light of the bigger picture. ACTIVITY: Now that you've explored the impact of change within a business, let's do a learning activity you can do with your team: Exercise 1: Change Impact Simulation Introduce a simple scenario, like changing a key process or implementing new technology. Split up into groups, each group will represent a different department affected by this change. Ask each group to discuss and predict how the change might affect their assigned department. Consider how it could influence daily tasks, teamwork, and relationships with other departments. Have the groups share their ideas with the whole team. Discuss the potential challenges and opportunities presented by the change. This exercise will help you understand how changes in one part of the company have a domino effect on the entire business. By seeing how alterations impact different departments, you'll learn the importance of considering the broader impact of changes and how interconnected the various aspects of your organization are. This awareness can guide smarter decision-making when implementing changes, fostering a more comprehensive and effective approach to managing transitions within your company. Continue your learning... Changing with Business Acumen Recession Proof Your Business Navigating Change in the Workplace with Business Acumen Get a demo of our business acumen training: Attend a preview of our course with CEO, Kevin Cope: Test your Business Acumen with this Quiz: ✅ 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 #salessuccess #financialstrategy #financialacumen #businesssuccess #workplaceskills #skills #businessacumenskills #business #HR #Humanresources #change #navigatingchange #recessionproof

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.

Starting a new business with Business Acumen: In today's competitive business landscape, having strong business acumen is essential for entrepreneurs and business leaders. We like to think of business acumen as being able to see the broader picture and make smart decisions accordingly. The bigger picture refers to the broad spectrum of the business world, market trends, financial data, customer behavior, and industry insights. By developing and leveraging your business acumen, you can enhance your chances of success and drive sustainable growth for your business. Starting a business is no joke. Did you know that only 50% of businesses make it through the first 5 years? Use this guide to grow your business with business acumen. We will explore key strategies and practices that can help you harness your business acumen to take your business to new heights. 1. Invest in Continuous Learning: Business acumen is not a fixed skill; it requires constant learning and staying updated with the latest industry trends. Be sure to utilize your resources to enhance your knowledge of various business aspects, industries, and roles. Attend industry conferences, and seminars, and consider enrolling in relevant courses or programs. We have a great online course that is inexpensive, in depth, and relevant to any role, any industry, and any company. Read the book Seeing the Big Picture, it helps you understand business acumen while also applying it yourself and your own role. By continuously expanding your knowledge base, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions and identify growth opportunities for your business. Get a demo of our building business acumen course. Learn How to Improve Your Business Acumen with Self Paced Online Training! Business acumen isn’t just about the financial make-up of companies, it’s about understanding the role you play in your business’s success. Where do you fit into your company’s money-making strategy — and how can you take your career to a higher level by becoming a business leader? Read the article below: 2. Understand Your Industry and Market: To succeed in business, you must have a deep understanding of your industry and target market. Stay informed about industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes that may impact your business. Listen to your company's earnings calls and learn how the direction of the company determines your role and day to day tasks. By staying ahead of the curve, you can position your business for growth and maintain a competitive edge. Sign up for one of our Earnings Calls We offer training to all industries, all functions, in all areas of the world, for all types of companies. Here is an example of some of the insights you should be thinking about if you're in the streaming business. We also offer insights into the healthcare industry, retail industry, tech industry, etc. Check out our Youtube to see what we offer! 3. Develop Financial Literacy: Financial acumen is a crucial component of business acumen. Familiarize yourself with financial statements, cash flow management, budgeting, and forecasting. Monitor key financial metrics to assess your business's financial health and identify areas for improvement. If needed, consider working with a financial advisor or accountant to gain valuable insights into financial planning and optimization. By having a strong grasp of your business's financials, you can make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively to drive growth. Frequently Used Financial Acronyms: Are you ever worried you'll say something dumb in front of your CEO? Or even be caught in a conversation you actually don't know anything about? Familiarize yourself with some basic business definitions, so you can elevate your career and also impress your boss. 4. Put People First: We believe people are the lifeblood of any business. Without your customers or employees, you don’t have a business. It is critical to develop a customer-centric mindset by actively listening to your customers, soliciting feedback, and leveraging customer data to gain insights. It's also crucial to prioritize all stakeholders involved in your business, including employees and partners. Cultivate a people-centric mindset by actively engaging with your employees, valuing their contributions, and creating a positive work culture that fosters growth and innovation. By prioritizing the people involved in your business, you can foster a motivated and engaged workforce that delivers exceptional experiences and work accomplishments. Some of the best company’s we know, put their people first. Have you ever heard of Nordstrom? Costco? Starbucks? 5. Embrace Innovation and Adaptability: In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to innovate and adapt is crucial for growth. Encourage a culture of innovation within your organization by empowering employees to think creatively and experiment with new ideas. Embrace emerging technologies and trends that can enhance your business operations, streamline processes, and improve customer experiences. Stay agile and be willing to adapt your business strategies as needed to stay ahead of the competition and seize new opportunities. Navigating Change with Business Acumen: Adapt to the Market with Corporate Agility: Use Business Acumen to Grow your Business Growing a business requires a combination of strategic thinking, industry knowledge, financial acumen, and a customer-centric approach. By developing and applying business acumen, entrepreneurs and business leaders can navigate challenges, identify growth opportunities, and drive sustainable success. Invest in continuous learning, understand your industry and market, develop financial literacy, cultivate a customer-centric approach, foster strategic partnerships, and embrace innovation and adaptability. By following these key principles, you can chart a path to growth and thrive in today's dynamic business environment. Remember, growing a business takes time and effort, but with the right mindset and business acumen, you can unlock the potential for long-term success. Ben Cook, President of Acumen Learning said it this way: "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. Being great functionally is obviously vital but overlaying that functional focus with a business & financial lens can and should be the compass that guides individuals and organizations to navigate their ever-changing business landscape to ensure their functional decisions link to where their company actually needs to be going to succeed. It 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." Building Business Acumen: Learn how to grow your business, improve your business acumen, and succeed in your career. 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 #financialacumen #financialstrategy #learninganddevelopment #HR#leadershipdevelopment #training #onlinetraining #businesssuccess #people #change #industry #financialcompetency

Why Business Acumen is Essential for Salespeople Salespeople are the lifeblood of any business, responsible for driving revenue growth and helping the company succeed in the marketplace. However, in order to be successful, salespeople must possess business acumen - a deep understanding of the customer's business, industry trends, competitors, and economic factors that impact the buying decision. Sales Executive Overview Did you know only 20% of salespeople successfully reach executives' expectations and create value? Get a free executive overview for sales and marketing: Smile and Dial vs. Prep with Steps Two primary sales methodologies are Smile and Dial and Prep with Steps. Smile and Dial involves making a large number of cold calls with minimal preparation, relying on quick thinking and improvisation to close deals. This method can be effective for salespeople who are comfortable thinking on their feet and have a strong personality, but it can also lead to burnout and low conversion rates. On the other hand, prep with Steps involves taking a more strategic approach to sales, researching each prospect thoroughly and preparing for each call in advance. This method can be more time-consuming but can also result in higher conversion rates and stronger customer relationships. The Importance of Business Acumen Regardless of the sales methodology used, business acumen is essential for success. Salespeople who possess strong business acumen can effectively communicate the value proposition of their product or service, anticipate objections, and provide solutions that align with the customer's business goals. In contrast, salespeople who lack business acumen may struggle to understand the customer's business and fail to communicate the value proposition effectively. This can lead to lost opportunities and a negative impact on the bottom line. Investing in Training and Development It is important for organizations to invest in training and development programs that help salespeople develop their business acumen. By doing so, they can equip their sales teams with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. As Kevin Cope writes in his book "Seeing the Big Picture": "Sales is not about selling something; it's about helping someone. It's not about manipulating someone into buying something they don't need; it's about understanding someone's problems and working with them to find the best solution." This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer's needs and problems, which is a key aspect of business acumen. By focusing on helping the customer rather than just making a sale, salespeople can build trust and establish themselves as valuable partners in the customer's business success. How to Prepare for a Sales Call Using Business Acumen Business Acumen is the Cause for Sales Success Ultimately, having strong business acumen is essential for salespeople to succeed in today's marketplace. By understanding the customer's business, anticipating objections, and providing solutions that align with their goals, salespeople can build strong customer relationships and drive revenue growth for their organizations. By investing in training and development programs that help salespeople develop their business acumen, organizations can set themselves up for success in the long run. Get a demo of our Business Acumen Training for Sales: ✅ 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 #sales #salestraining #salessuccess #smileanddial #prepwithsteps #salesmethodologies

A Semiconductor Company on the Fortune 500 List has Partnered with Acumen Learning for Customized Business and Financial Acumen Courses Press Release OREM, Utah – February 14, 2023 Download the Business Acumen Press Release: News Facts: Acumen Learning has partnered with a semiconductor company on the Fortune 500 list to deliver customized business and financial acumen courses for its employees. The company is committed to employee development and offers a range of training and development programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of its workforce, including a variety of business-related training programs. Seeking to provide its employees with top-quality business acumen training, the company chose to work with Acumen Learning, recognizing its reputation as a leading provider of business acumen courses. The initiative aims to help directors and senior managers of the Fortune 500 company better understand the financial and business metrics that drive the company's success, and to provide them with the tools they need to make better business decisions. Acumen Learning's customized courses are designed to meet these objectives. The semiconductor company has given Acumen Learning's business acumen courses a perfect Net Promoter Score of 100 several times, indicating that the course is highly applicable, easy to understand, and has improved the skills of the company's leaders. 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: “This was just the right amount of depth and breadth. It initiated critical thinking while making decisions and utilized quantitative frameworks while not being jargon-heavy.” “It emphasized how my role can contribute to the financial aspects of the company.” “Very good. Didn't know what I didn't know.” “The examples of actual companies were very helpful on how they fixed something seemingly little that helped the company’s bottom line.” “The course exceeded my expectations. Fundamentals of business finance explained excellently with simple examples.” “We were able to interpret the key performance indicators and develop effective strategies for the company,” says Monty Magleby, Senior Financial Consultant at Acumen Learning. “I was particularly impressed by the way the team was able to integrate these concepts into their work and make immediate improvements in their own roles. I'm confident that the tools and skills they developed during the training will continue to contribute to the company’s continued success." 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.

The Secret to Sales Success: Business Acumen As a salesperson, you are the frontline of your company's revenue. Your success is a critical factor in the success of the business. To be successful, you need more than just the ability to sell; you need business acumen. In this article, we will explore what business acumen is, why it is essential for salespeople, and how you can develop it. What is Business Acumen? Business acumen is the ability to understand and apply fundamental business principles to make informed decisions that drive business success. It includes a deep understanding of the organization's strategy, its products, and its customers, as well as the economic and market forces that drive the business. Business acumen also requires an understanding of financial statements and how the organization generates revenue and profits. In short, it is the ability to see the big picture of the business and to make decisions that align with its overall strategy. Why is Business Acumen Important for Salespeople? Salespeople with strong business acumen are better equipped to understand their customer's needs and offer solutions that meet those needs. They can identify opportunities to sell more products and services and create deeper relationships with customers, leading to increased revenue and customer loyalty. Additionally, salespeople with strong business acumen are better able to communicate the value of their products and services to customers, creating more successful sales. They understand the competitive landscape and can position their products and services to stand out from the competition. Salespeople with strong business acumen are also valuable assets to their companies. They can identify new market opportunities, assess risks, and make informed decisions that drive the business forward. They understand the financial implications of their decisions and can use financial data to create sales plans and forecasts. Test your Business Acumen Skills: Take this quick quiz to test your business acumen skills and see how you compare to your peers! How Can Salespeople Develop Business Acumen? Developing business acumen requires a commitment to learning and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Here are a few strategies for developing business acumen: 1. Read business books and articles: There are countless books and articles available that can help salespeople gain a deeper understanding of business principles. Our favorite book for developing business acumen include "Seeing the Big Picture" by Kevin Cope. As Kevin Cope writes, "Business acumen is not a function of intelligence. It is a function of curiosity, the willingness to learn, and the ability to see the big picture." 2. Attend industry conferences and events: Attending conferences and events can provide opportunities to learn from experts in the field and to network with other professionals. Salespeople can gain insights into emerging trends and best practices and make connections with potential customers. 3. Seek feedback and mentorship: Seeking feedback from managers, peers, and mentors can help salespeople identify areas where they need to improve their business acumen. Mentors can offer guidance and support in developing new skills and making informed decisions. 4. Analyze financial data: Salespeople can develop their financial acumen by analyzing financial data such as revenue reports, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets. They can use this data to identify trends, forecast future revenue, and make informed decisions. The 5 Business Drivers of Sales: At the core of business acumen there's this fundamental mental model that we use, that we call the five drivers. And the five drivers is a model that every CEO and every executive of every business, public or private, US/outside the US, every industry, that every business and every executive fundamentally thinks about. Those five drivers are cash, profit, assets, growth, and people. People right in the center of this model. So this is a mental model that executives use to determine strategy, priorities, and choices and what are the ripple effect financial implications of those choices. Being able to use these tools that are available for you and the art of being able to question and probe into where their priorities are, starts to help you really understand what the other side of the table really cares about. And then better position your products and solutions to that language is a real art. We invite you into this journey of this art and science of building your business acumen. Real-Life Example of Business Acumen Skills: Jeff Bezos A great example of a business leader with impressive business acumen skills is Jeff Bezos, the founder and former CEO of Amazon. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time. He founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore and transformed it into one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Much of his success can be attributed to his strong business acumen. He is known for his focus on the customer experience, which has helped to create a loyal customer base and drive sales. He famously declared that "the most important single thing is to focus obsessively on the customer." This customer-centric approach has led Amazon to develop new services such as Prime, which offers fast and free shipping, streaming of movies and TV shows, and other benefits. Prime has become a significant driver of Amazon's growth, with over 200 million members worldwide. Because Bezos has a deep understanding of business acumen, he is able to assess the company's business model and the competitive landscape in which it operates. He is not afraid to take risks and make bold decisions. Bezos also understands the financial implications of his decisions and has a keen eye for identifying cost-saving opportunities. For example, he famously introduced the "two-pizza rule" for meetings, which limits the number of people in a meeting to those who can be fed by two pizzas, to encourage smaller, more efficient meetings. Overall, Jeff Bezos is an excellent example of someone with impressive business acumen skills. His ability to identify new market opportunities, make bold strategic decisions, and focus on the customer experience has helped Amazon to become one of the most successful companies in the world. Salespeople can learn from his example by developing a deep understanding of their company's business model, identifying new market opportunities, and focusing on the needs of their customers. The Benefits of Business Acumen for Sales: One big challenge of senior executives is individuals coming to sell them. They don’t want somebody showing them all of their gadgets. What they need is need somebody who can come in, understand their business as well as they can, and then help them see how their products or service can drive towards their goals. And that's what business acumen allows us to do. It helps that individual or sales person move from a sales, product, or service expert to a business expert who happens to sell. And that's where that transition happens. We're not a methodology company, we're not teaching sales methodology, we're not teaching sales platforms or technology. ✅ 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 #sales #salessuccess #businesssuccess #salestips