Business Acumen Introductory Programme

Gain the confidence and skills to develop business acumen and think from a commercial perspective to support your organisation’s outcomes.

4-6 hours

Online self-directed

Introductory Programme

Overview

In order to design and deliver effective people solutions, aspiring people professionals must understand their organisations as well as the external influences and trends impacting them. This Introductory Programme encourages people practitioners to start thinking from a business perspective and be more curious about the organisations they work for. Learners will develop commercial drive, gaining a deeper understanding of the world of work and the principles underpinning ethical practice and good governance.

Aimed at those at the start of their career, or with limited experience, participants will explore five key topics, gaining awareness of how their contribution at work aligns with the organisation’s overall business context and strategy. Upon completion, they will be able to explain business models (identifying their own model and sector), use metrics and planning processes, and support B2B partnering. This course will also help individuals with potential CIPD membership and assessment and demonstrate a commitment by the learner to professionalise their capabilities.

Throughout the course, you’ll be encouraged to take part in reflective activities to help embed your learning into your day-to-day practice. You can also access a community of peers where you can share knowledge and experience with others, whilst developing connections.

All CIPD Learning courses will automatically provide you with access to the CIPD Learning Hub, our online learning platform, for 24 months. The hub will house your course content, as well as useful resources, tools, and a community of professionals that you can tap into to support your learning and continual development.

Course objectives

The purpose of this course is to:

• explain the business model of your organisation and how it relates to the broader business landscape
• explain the importance of measures and metrics in business, as well as consider some common tools that can be put into practice
• map a business planning process and list its key elements
• discuss the principles underpinning ethical business and good governance
• describe how to best manage successful business relationships and partnerships.

Is this course right for me?

This course is relevant and challenging for all people practitioners, at whatever stage of their career journey. You’ll be an HR, L&D or OD practitioner looking to develop the behaviours required to put forward a business case and deliver on your organisation’s goals from a people perspective.