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A Sharp Suite of Business Acumen Simulations

A structured learning suite aligned to our Survey to Mastery model—built for layering, reusability, and strategic growth.

Simulation Learning for Every Role

We offer a connected suite of business simulations—each one designed to support specific learning goals, roles, and contexts. Whether you need a quick survey-level introduction or a multi-layered deep dive, our simulations flex to meet your learning strategy. All of them are grounded in real business drivers, and all align to our Survey to Mastery (STM) learning model.
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What is STM? STM is a modular framework that supports layered learning, from first exposure to practical insight, operational understanding, and strategic application.

Survey to Mastery logo with a gradient arrow pointing right, representing a learning progression.

Business Acumen Simulations Progression: Survey to Mastery

Each simulation in our suite is part of a broader learning architecture. It's a structured progression from early exposure to deeper fluency and applied strategic thinking.This isn’t just a path—it’s a plan. Every simulation builds on shared tools and language, expanding what participants see, question, and act on in the business.

Download Financial Tools & Concepts from Survey to Mastery →  

Explore how key business concepts are introduced, reinforced, and expanded across the suite.

These four simulations form a progressive learning arc. Each one builds on the last, using consistent tools and visuals to support learning across experience levels and roles.

Second Exposure: For Return Learners and 'Spaced Learning' Solutions

IO | Second Exposure
4–8 hours
In-person
Audience: Return participants, executive groups, multi-session cohorts

More at stake. More to weigh. This follow-up experience introduces additional business drivers and tools. Participants revisit familiar dynamics under new constraints—shifting market conditions, tighter cash flow, or expanded decision sets—pushing them further toward mastery.

Use Case: Follow-up experience (participants should already be familiar with the simulation in order to benefit fully from a second exposure)
STM Layer: Deepening
Learn more about Second Exposure →

👉 'Spaced learning' helps people retain more, apply faster, and build confidence over time. It’s a proven approach—and Second Exposure is a practical example.

Curious how spaced learning works in action? Read the blog post →

What These Simulations Do
Our simulations are built to develop practical business capabilities that apply across industries and roles. Core business acumen competencies include:
Understanding financial statements, key metrics, and basic accounting principles to make informed business decisions.
Financial Literacy – Understanding financial statements, metrics, and accounting principles to drive informed decisions.
Evaluating business data and considering options to make strategic decisions that impact profitability and long-term success.
Decision-Making – Evaluating tradeoffs, analyzing data, and managing business outcomes.
Teams from different departments working together to achieve shared business goals, improving overall organizational performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration – Navigating across departments to align goals and improve communication.
Understanding how various business functions—such as sales, production, and finance—contribute to overall company performance.
Operational Knowledge – Gaining insight into how core functions like sales, production, and finance interact.
Adjusting business strategies and processes in response to changing market conditions and new challenges.
Adaptability – Responding to market shifts and uncertainty with flexibility and confidence.
Taking responsibility for business outcomes by tracking key performance indicators and measuring the impact of actions.
Accountability – Taking ownership of results and tracking impact through key performance indicators.
See the full list of business acumen competencies →

"Gives insight to some of their decisions and responsibilities they make"

Scott W, CFO - Industrial Infrastructure
How These Simulations Work Together
Consistent design. Cohesive experience.
All our workshops are built on the same foundation—shared visuals, common language, and a familiar structure—so every learner walks away able to connect and collaborate with others. Whether it’s a 4-hour introduction or a 2-day deep dive, participants can discuss shared dynamics and challenges using a common financial vocabulary—things like business pressure, cash flow patterns, working capital cycles, and performance metrics such as return on sales or return on assets. They can even reference Visual Finance to connect decisions and outcomes. This consistency supports financial fluency and enables whole-business conversations across the organization.

These simulations are modular by design. That doesn’t mean they stack—it means they flex.
  • Use shorter simulations for survey-level exposure. These sessions build core competencies like Financial Literacy and start to break down the silos.
  • If you are already offering modular soft skills training, you can a shorter business skills workshop to add depth and relevance—financial fluency, operational insight, and strategic thinking in one shared experience.
  • Use longer workshops to gain mastery. These sessions go deeper into tactical decision-making, including planning and analysis tools (e.g. budgeting, forecasting).
  • Revisit and deepen learning with Second Exposure*, it uses new drivers to introduce new challenges and new tools; it reinforces and extends the earlier learning.
All simulations are built on the same platform, ensuring consistency across roles, regions, and teams.

(* Second Exposure also supports 'spaced learning'—a research-backed approach that improves retention and real-world application by revisiting concepts after a time gap. It allows participants to return with fresh context and apply what they’ve already learned at a deeper level. Read more about 'spaced learning'→

Ready to Build Financial Confidence Across Your Organization?

Whether you’re introducing business acumen for the first time or deepening strategic thinking with experienced teams, our modular simulations can meet you where you are—and take you further.Let’s find the right fit.

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What is Business Acumen?

"Business acumen is the ability to link keen insights about and a thorough assessment of the business landscape with an awareness of how money is made and then executing a strategy that delivers results"
Business acumen as the ability to see the big picture, make better decisions, and drive business success through financial understanding.