Income|Outcome® Blog

Business Acumen - fearless with finance

Business Acumen - can it be taught?

Unlocking the Full Value of Income/Outcome Workshops

ASTD 2013: Doing is Believing - Collaboration (another of the great business competencies)

ASTD 2013: D.I.B.s on Teamwork (one of the great business competencies)

ASTD 2013: Doing is Believing - Business Acumen

Business Acumen with the Acumen Fellows in Pakistan

Thoughts on teaching business acumen in Asia-Pacific

After running a Finance & Strategy workshop in Singapore, I had a realization about the shifting global business landscape. Is the business world moving not just east—but also south?

The Speed of Change, and How to Respond

3 Reasons EVERY Leader in Your Company Should Be Financially Savvy

Dan McGurrin, Director of Executive Education at NC State University, shares why every leader—regardless of industry—needs financial acumen. From securing resources to understanding competitors and avoiding costly mistakes, financial literacy is essential for effective leadership.

Multiplying the value of business finance training

Business Acumen for Absolutely Everybody

Working Capital is Cash Hiding In Plain Sight

EBIT vs. EBITDA: Which Tells the Better Story?

EBIT and EBITDA are both used to measure operating performance—but they aren’t the same. Learn the difference, when to use each, and what they really tell you about a business.

Answer for the EBITDA Storytelling Challenge

What’s the best metric for your story—EBIT or EBITDA? In this follow-up to the storytelling challenge, we reveal the answer and explain how context shapes which number tells the better story.

CTL: The EBITDA Storytelling Challenge

Two companies. Same EBITDA. Different story. This analysis breaks down what’s hidden beneath the surface—and what it means for capital intensity and future risk.

CTL: Working Capital

Estimate the cash impact of improving your company’s receivables, inventory, and payables. This short exercise helps you understand working capital and identify quick wins.

Cost Structure: Direct, Indirect, and the Space Between

Learn how to distinguish direct and indirect costs—and why business decisions depend on getting it right. Includes examples and a practical framework.

CTL: Return On Sales

Apply Return on Sales (ROS) to your own business with this hands-on exercise. Compare your performance, analyze key drivers, and set improvement goals using real-world data.

Calculator: Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC)

Use our Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) Calculator to measure how long it takes to turn inventory into cash from sales.

CTL: Cash Conversion Cycle

Learn how to calculate and compare the Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) for your company and competitors. Use our interactive table and calculators to analyze DSO, DIO, and DPO, and see how cash flow efficiency impacts business performance.

CTL: Analyzing Your Company’s Cash Flow Statement

Learn how to analyze your company’s cash flow using real-world financial data. Understand what cash movements mean for business decisions.

Semi-Variable Costs: When Costs Don’t Fit Neatly

Not all costs are purely fixed or variable—some have elements of both. Learn about semi-variable costs, including stepwise (Type A) and base-plus-variable (Type B) costs, and why they matter for budgeting, pricing, and financial planning.

Understanding the Cash Conversion Cycle

The Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) is a key financial metric that measures how long it takes a company to turn investments in inventory into cash. This post breaks down the components of the CCC—inventory turnover, accounts receivable, and accounts payable—and explains why optimizing it is crucial for business success.

What is the Statement of Cash Flows?

Business Acumen: Understanding Direct and Indirect Costs

Return on Sales (ROS): How to Measure and Improve Profitability

Learn how Return on Sales (ROS) measures your company's profitability and efficiency. Understand the Triangle of Ratios and how ROS connects to Asset Turnover and Return on Assets (ROA) for a complete financial picture.

What is a Balance Sheet?

What is an Income Statement?

Learn the basics of an income statement, its components, and why it’s essential for understanding a business's financial health.

What is Gross Margin?

Gross margin is a key financial metric that measures the percentage of revenue left after direct costs. Many companies define it differently, leading to confusion. This post explains what gross margin is, how to calculate it, and why it’s essential for business viability. With clear examples and practical insights, this guide helps employees understand how their actions impact a company’s financial health.

What is Days Sales Outstanding?

DSO measures how long it takes customers to pay after being invoiced. Learn how to calculate it, why it impacts cash flow, and how reducing it can improve your business.

Business Acumen: Supply and Demand in action

Supply and demand isn’t just theory—it’s reality. When demand surges, prices rise, whether it’s for products or labor. The oil boom in Williston, North Dakota, is a perfect example. In Income|Outcome, participants experience these dynamics first-hand—before encountering them the hard way.

If Tariffs Are Impacting Your Business, Your Business Acumen Solution Needs to Change

If tariffs are delaying projects, raising costs, or complicating pricing, your business acumen training should reflect it. Here’s how to bring it into the room.

Blind Spots in Leadership: How Strengths Become Risks

When star performers and leaders have blind spots, the impact can be serious. Explore how IO for Leaders helps senior teams recognize and address blind spots that affect judgment, strategy, and cross-functional trust.

Blind Spots in Business: Why Misguided Perceptions Hurt Performance

Employee misconceptions about business performance can impact decisions, morale, and collaboration. Learn how business acumen training helps leaders address these blind spots and drive better outcomes.​

How to Pitch Employee Engagement to the CFO

Learning Styles and Visualization

4 Reasons Your Company Should Use Games to Drive Adult Learning

Fresh business acumen for the Finance Manager

Business Strategy Games and the "Just Do It" Principle

What Type of Year Was it for Your Company’s Training Programs?

Prioritizing Learning and Development Activities - How Do You Do It?

Stealth Learning: The Aha! Moments That Stick