--- title: "Business Acumen: Vital for All Organizational Functions" description: Business Acumen skills are needed at every level and function of the organization. Lean more in Advantexe's latest blog post. image: https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/business-acumen-for-everyone.png --- [![logo-advantexe-150.png](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-advantexe-150.png?width=150&height=123&name=logo-advantexe-150.png "logo-advantexe-150.png")](https://www.advantexe.com) ![blog-banner-2022](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-banner-2022.png?width=973&name=blog-banner-2022.png "blog-banner-2022") ### The Advantexe Advisor Blog - providing a deep and applicable understanding of the system of business. # Business Acumen: Vital for All Organizational Functions By Robert Brodo | May 31, 2023 10:00:00 AM | [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Business%20Acumen%3A%20Vital%20for%20All%20Organizational%20Functions) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fbusiness-acumen-vital-for-all-organizational-functions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) There are many industries where times are very tough right now. Core markets have slowed down and![business-acumen-for-everyone](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/business-acumen-for-everyone.png?width=450&height=300&name=business-acumen-for-everyone.png) demand has been cut by up to 20% year over year in too many industries that drive the global economy. Some places like central Europe and Eastern Europe have been hit even harder because of the ongoing Russian war and the impact it is having on energy prices and other goods. Even industries like high tech which have been fairly recession proof are also feeling the effect as consumer confidence and demand continue to erode. The impact of these tough times transcends the organization and has an impact on every employee. As part of a major global [business acumen skill ](https://www.advantexe.com/what-is-business-acumen)development project for an industrial chemicals company, I had the chance to interview 8 members of the Executive Leadership team to gain their input into the design, content, and key challenges of the business they would like to address by enhancing their [business acumen](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/business-acumen-skills-5-most-important-elements-of-a-learning-journey). Within the first few minutes of each interview, I was very surprised by the open minding thinking about the need for Business Acumen across the organization. Based on the interviews, we created a design that will provide unique Business Acumen skills to almost every level and function of the organization. [Business Acumen ](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/business-acumen-the-real-skills-your-ceo-wants-everyone-to-know)to these executives meant the ability for the entire organization to understand strategic thinking, strategic planning, financial management, financial reports, metrics of business success, competitive analysis, marketing, operations, and how to create shareholder value. I am pleased to share in this blog some of the findings of the interviews and the learning objectives for the functions of the global engagement. **Who Needs Business Acumen Skills and Why?** | **Level / Function** | **Why it’s Important** | | --- | --- | | R&D | Need to understand: - ROI in investments in R&D - The long-term value of new products - How to invest in a profitable portfolio | | Sales | Need to understand: - How customers make money - How to position the value of solutions to customers - How competitors make money | | Manufacturing | Need to understand: - The impact of manufacturing on COGS - The drivers of profitability - The relationship between forecasting and manufacturing | | Human Resources | Need to understand: - How the strategy of the business to hire, develop, and promote the right people - The impact of HR on profit - How to add value to all functions | | IT | Need to understand: - The impact of IT on COGS - The drivers of profitability - The impact of poor R&D systems - The costs of cybersecurity  | | Supply Chain | Need to understand: - The impact of supply chain and operations on COGS and EBITDA - The drivers of profitability -  The relationship between forecasting and manufacturing | | New Hires | Need to understand: - How does my new company make money - What’s my role in helping my new company make money -  How are our customers making money? | | High Potential Leaders | Need to understand: - How do the businesses and functions within my company make money - What’s my current role in helping my company make money - What’s my future role in helping my company make money | In order to satisfy the needs of these audiences this company is engaging in a 12-month skills transformation to touch more than 20,000 employees with the Business Acumen skills needed to make the best business decisions that will lead to long-term success even in a tough economy. [![Why Business Acumen Matters ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1153922/ef562d5a-acb6-45df-86ae-098c09e7fcc0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1153922/ef562d5a-acb6-45df-86ae-098c09e7fcc0) ![Robert Brodo](https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/Blogs/rob-brodo-author.png) **About The Author** Robert Brodo is co-founder of Advantexe. He has more than 20 years of training and business simulation experience. [**](https://www.advantexe.com) [**](https://twitter.com/robrodo) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/rob-brodo/0/334/574) COMMENTS ### SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL ### About Advantexe Advantexe is a gold medal winning training and performance improvement organization specializing in the development and delivery of interactive learning journeys using computer-based business simulations as the catalyst for learning and change in the areas of: Business Acumen, Business Leadership, and Strategic Business Selling learning solutions. 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