--- title: Developing Business Acumen Within Managers description: Want to sharpen your business acumen? Learn how to understand finance, business functions, and industry trends to elevate your professional skills. image: https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/hubfs/How-To-Develop-Business-Acumen-min.png --- [![pdw-logo](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/PDW_Theme_2024/Images/pdw-logo.webp?width=178&height=79&name=pdw-logo.webp "pdw-logo")](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/) - [0115 940 4966](tel:0115%20940%204966) - [hello@pdwgroup.co.uk](mailto:hello@pdwgroup.co.uk) - Training & Coaching - [Leadership Training & Development](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/leadership-development-training) - [Leadership Behaviour](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-training-courses/leadership-development-training/leadership-behaviour) - [Strategic Thinking for Leaders](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-training-courses/leadership-development-training/strategic-thinking) - [Management Development Training](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/management-training) - [Performance Management](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-training-courses/management-training/performance-management) - [Setting Goals](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-training-courses/management-training/setting-goals) - [Giving Feedback](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/giving-feedback) - [Sales And Business Development Training](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/sales-training) - [Negotiation Skills Training Courses](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/negotiation-skills-training) - [Customer Relationship Management Training](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/customer-management-training) - [The Science Of Account Management](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/the-science-of-account-management) - [Commercial, financial & business acumen training](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-acumen-training-courses) - [Coaching Solutions](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-training-courses/business-coaching) - [Other Workshops](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/other-workshops) - People Assessment - [Assessment Centres](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/assessment-centre-for-recruitment) - [Behavioural Profiling](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/behavioural-profiling) - [Flexible 360° Feedback Surveys](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/360-degree-feedback) - Feedback Surveys - [Employee Engagement Survey](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/employee-engagement-surveys) - [Customer Feedback Surveys](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/customer-feedback-surveys) - [Flexible 360° Feedback Surveys](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/360-degree-feedback) - [Assessment Days](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/assessment-days) - Who We Help - [HR Training & Development](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/hr-training-and-development) - [Business Owners, Managing Directors And CEO Training And Development](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/ceo-training-and-development) - [Professional Services Training](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/professional-services-training) - [Training For Learning And Development Professionals](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/learning-development-professionals-training-courses) - [Department And Team Heads](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/department-team-heads) - [Methodology](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/about-us/our-methodology) - Explore Further - [Business Advisory Consultancy](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/business-consultancy-advisory) - [Team Development](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/team-development) - [Meet the Team](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team) - [Free Guides](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/free-guides) - [Case Studies](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/case-studies) - [Testimonials](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/testimonials) - [Training Room Hire](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/training-room-hire) - [Blog](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog) - [About Us](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/contact-us) ![Managers in training learning how to develop business acumen ](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/hubfs/How-To-Develop-Business-Acumen-min.png) # How To Develop Business Acumen 1st November 2024 Some people have a natural gift for business. They intuitively understand market trends and find it easy to [grasp the technical aspects of managing and growing a company.](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-coaching) Others will find it more difficult to get to grips with key business principles and will need to undergo training and development if they’re going to excel in their chosen field. [![Get In Touch](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25041294/interactive-182143039680.png)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKRWg%2FKt7WyhbQIXPMYLDbG3erKtjWSQJucxIsREfTYk2nnpnYb9s4yphCGv1DfhprnsBFSXbMuO5cA2wRlRMwZPbdWLmSe528o2mnW8YA%2FdxJHDriFd1pKTLzzxf6YRAV3L9u2gKB%2FsIpSdirLCRIetrOQsD6nH8lY2BOqUeRDm0VFUMnCB2sqAFtboVq9Ux%2BbNk%2BIGXtgOKkHeQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182143039680&portalId=25041294) If you feel your business acumen isn’t what it could be, there are a number of ways to develop your instincts and hone your professional skills. ## **Follow The Money** Finance is at the route of how every business operates. Understanding revenue streams, taxes, costs and other related financials will give you a clearer idea of what drives your business and help you spot areas that may need attention. ## **Take A Deep Dive Into Business Functions** Even if you’ve worked in business for a number of years, it can be useful to take another look at how a business functions. Immerse yourself in the workings of marketing, sales, finance, operations and human resources. Look at how each of these departments contributes to the overall running of the business and the value they add to the organisation. ## **Get A Mentor** Joining a mentorship programme can be a great way to develop business acumen and grow your professional skills. Some large companies offer in-house mentoring, allowing you to learn from senior team members who have a high level of skills and experience. If your company doesn’t offer mentoring, or if you’re currently between jobs, look for external programmes that you can join. Having a mentor gives you someone to talk to about business issues and to go to when you’re facing professional challenges. They’ll be able to offer help, support and advice and get you back on the path to success. ## **Monitor Industry Trends** Industry trends are important for businesses in all sectors. Keeping up to date with these trends should give you a better understanding of the way the market is moving. It should also  provide you with the opportunity to give your customers exactly what they want and get ahead of the competition. You can do this by reading industry publications, following thought leaders and attending webinars and conferences relevant to your business. Studying the strategies of your competitors can also provide useful insight into the direction the market is going. ## **Invest In Professional Development** Professional development opportunities can be incredibly useful when it comes to enhancing business acumen. Whether it’s leadership training or professional coaching, these targeted courses [can help you hone your business skills](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/four-reasons-why-you-should-invest-in-leadership-development-training-programmes-for-your-employees)and get a clearer idea of how your industry operates. Look for training opportunities that are given by reputable, trusted providers. This will help to ensure that the training you receive is useful and relevant. You can find out more about professional development and business acumen by [getting in touch with a member of our team today.](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/contact-us) [![R1\_V2\_JDRGroup\_PDW Group CTAs \[Guide 3\]\_735 x 268px\_BR\_25-MAY-2023](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25041294/interactive-117598409718.png)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIjWNK2dI3EvSyTSwlcA0TdNrJ89hz72kDcTCVgkPSjA%2FTSmRJ9wO6iUJ2HfY4c4xVMOiCMHYOVOWm0I7lDGunvOiTGh8baYhe%2BFygI0ljnrmYQN3501LMGvJ%2FskuV4M53Td%2F5psXleKUtrwKkjm1eR7ldTmZL01zRbOmEXoieRLWiFvZ98ayOqwtxbAzlO6M%2F21NzkC7yz%2BQGFInN9UjKbai3CbJx6aCjAARIGNceWJsj93ivx4UOue5BA7v1K9KStnLLqamrltGuMQh7m5TVLl%2BkcJ9r6UnixjTWI59qL&webInteractiveContentId=117598409718&portalId=25041294) Image source: [Canva](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGZKpbO6l8/Zby1aYpfukM5-QvXHaSoMw/edit) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/pages/PDW-Group/215022238528197) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/PDWGroup) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/company/pdw-group-uk-ltd) [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUJAUtQW4AbYWEtJc2B5WFQ) ### Posts By Topics - [Blogs (115)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/blogs) - [leadership training (32)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/leadership-training) - [leadership development training (27)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/leadership-development-training) - [managers (19)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/managers) - [communication (15)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/communication) - [team engagement (14)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/team-engagement) - [employee engagement (12)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/employee-engagement) - [Negotiation (11)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/negotiation) - [Case Studies (10)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/case-studies) - [employee morale (9)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/employee-morale) - [feedback (9)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/feedback) - [commercial awareness training (5)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/commercial-awareness-training) - [360 Degree Feedback (4)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/360-degree-feedback) - [Coaching (4)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/coaching) - [disengaged employees (4)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/disengaged-employees) - [Remote Coaching (3)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/remote-coaching) - [Employee Performance (2)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/employee-performance) - [Experiential Training (2)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/experiential-training) - [resilience (2)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/resilience) - [Strategic Thinking (1)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/strategic-thinking) - [Working remotely (1)](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/tag/working-remotely) see all ### Recent Articles [How Self Aware Are You Really?](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/how-self-aware-are-you-really) [Stop Focusing on Client Satisfaction](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/stop-focusing-on-client-satisfaction) [Stop Hiding Behind Psychological Safety](https://www.pdwgroup.co.uk/blog/stop-hiding-behind-psychological-safety) [Accountability Isn’t Missing. 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