Business skills are essential for today’s talent development (TD) professionals. Sometimes talent development professionals fall into the role of “order-taker” in their organizations, receiving and executing training requests even when training is not the solution. To be seen as strategic business partners rather than order-takers, TD practitioners must understand the organizations they serve, the industries in which they operate, and the strategies that drive results. This workshop equips you with the tools and practice to develop and apply business skills in your daily work.

Through interactive discussions, activities, and guided exercises, you will build a personalized business acumen handbook that captures key elements of your organization’s strategy, such as purpose, customers, products and services, financial drivers, culture, and current challenges. You will also explore strategies to close knowledge gaps and apply insights to real-world talent development scenarios.

By the end of the workshop, you will not only understand what business acumen is and why it matters, but you will also be prepared to use your handbook to analyze business needs, align TD initiatives with organizational strategy, and engage in more strategic conversations with stakeholders.