Business Acumen

Business acumen is loosely defined as the ability to assess an external market and make effective decisions. Knowing what is necessary to navigate and create a successful business seems innate for certain people; Steve Jobs demonstrated great business acumen. Fortunately, it is possible for the rest of us to improve business acumen. The right training combined with experience will improve your business savvy.

INTRODUCTION
Course Objectives

MODULE 1
Seeing the Big Picture
Short and Long Term Interactions
Recognize Growth Opportunities
Mindfulness of Decisions
Everything is Related
Knowledge Check

MODULE 2
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
Decisiveness
Flexible
Strong Initiative
Being Intuitive
Knowledge Check

MODULE 3
Risk Management Strategies
Continuous Assessment
Internal and External Factors
Making Adjustments and Corrections
Knowing When to Pull the Trigger or Plug
Knowledge Check

MODULE 4
Recognizing Learning Events
Develop a Sense of Always Learning
Evaluate Past Decisions
Problems Are Learning Opportunities
Recognize Your Blind Spots
Knowledge Check

MODULE 5
You Need to Know These Answers and More
What Makes My Company Money?
What Were Sales Last Year?
What is Our Profit Margin?
What Were Our Costs?
Knowledge Check

MODULE 6
Financial Literacy (I)
Assets
Financial Ratios
Liabilities
Equity
Knowledge Check

MODULE 7
Financial Literacy (II)
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Read, Read, and Read
Knowledge Check

MODULE 8
Business Acumen in Management
Talent Management
Change Management
Asset Management
Organizational Management
Knowledge Check

MODULE 9
Critical Thinking in Business
Ask the Right Questions
Organize Data
Evaluate the Information
Make the Decision
Knowledge Check

MODULE 10
Key Financial Levers
Investing in People
Effective Communication
Process Improvement
Goal Alignment
Knowledge Check

ASSESSMENT
Post Test