For years, organizations have relied on “traditional” Finance for the Non-Financial Manager (FFNFM) programs to help managers better understand essential financial concepts and terms. This allows them to understand how their company makes money and, possibly, how to make better business decisions. In fact, a recent Advantexe survey found that 76% of companies still offer an FFNFM program, proving its continued relevance.

An effective FFNFM program should go beyond teaching financial terms and concepts, it must build confidence, skills, and the ability to analyze data, make informed decisions, and drive business results.

This blog post will explore the key elements of a strong FFNFM program, including foundational financial concepts, the impact of business decisions on financials, and how simulations can enhance financial acumen. By building core skills, managers can better connect financial insights with strategy to ensure they contribute to their company’s growth and performance.

Read More >

This is an urgent edition of the Advantexe Advisor Blog that is being shared with our clients and community. As the work week starts, US businesses are struggling to understand the short-term and long-term implications of the government's decision to implement tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.

The purpose of this document is to share business insights and to help our clients understand the business acumen of the tariffs. Over the weekend, I spent time crafting new simulation wobblers that will be integrated into several of our customized business acumen simulations being prepared for roll-out over the next few weeks.

As always, Advantexe tries to keep the business acumen learnings non-political so our clients can understand the situation and use new knowledge and skills to make the best short-term and long-term business decisions for their people, customers, and stakeholders.

What are Tariffs?

Import tariffs, like the ones President Trump is levying, are taxes placed on goods imported from other countries. Please note that export tariffs, which are taxes on goods brought out of a country, are much rarer and not part of the current situation.

There are several different types of tariffs, and the kind that President Trump is imposing is known as an “ad valorem tariff,” meaning the tax on imported goods is calculated as a percentage of the product’s value. For example, if Product X has a Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) of $100 and the tariff is 10%, the tax will be $10. It is not the selling price of Product X, which could be $150, which is a typical 50% margin.

Read More >

Despite the popularity of other complex learning tools like AI, AR, and VR, many Talent Development professionals still have significant objections to using digital business simulations to build skills. From cost concerns to fears about complexity, these objections can deter organizations from embracing the incredible value digital business simulations deliver to audiences in need of these skills and organizations fighting to achieve success in a very tough global business environment.

At Advantexe, we’ve heard it all. We know what it’s like to sit in meetings where decision-makers worry about technical hurdles, security risks, or whether employees will actually engage. But here’s the thing, these objections are all solvable, and the benefits of business simulation-centric learning far outweigh the challenges.

To help you navigate these concerns, we’ve compiled the top 10 objections and potential responses to utilizing digital business simulations in your talent development programs.

Read More >

What if you were a pilot who had never practiced making an emergency landing? What if you were a professional American football quarterback stepping into the championship game without ever practicing getting rid of the ball when the all-out blitz comes at you?

Now, what if you are a business leader making and executing strategic decisions through teams of people without ever practicing to be a business leader?

The results in all three scenarios would be the same: costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and angry customers and shareholders. That isn’t a winning formula or approach!

Yet, in today’s business world, many organizations expect leaders and employees to make critical decisions without a safe space to learn and practice. Business simulations change that. They offer an innovative and immersive way for professionals to experiment, grow, retain knowledge, and succeed, all in a risk-free environment.

Read More >

In 2024, Business Acumen skills proved once again to be of critical importance to business leaders. Our marketing automation system is able to track the number of readers for each of our weekly blog posts, and looking back at the past year, a few posts stood out as favorites. These posts might have been written in different years, but they’ve found their audience in the digital world and continue to provide value.

Here’s a look at the top six most-read posts and my personal thoughts on why the topics resonated with our business leader audience. I also reflect on what makes business acumen skills such a critical topic.

Read More >