Business and commercial acumen is a phrase that you often hear, but its not something that's well understood. In essence, business acumen is a critical understanding of key elements of how a business operates, how it makes money and the underlying business models that a business uses.

  • Why join the course?

    Do you speak the language of the business world? Whether you’re an entrepreneur wanting to grow your own business or a government employee who wants to advance your career, it pays to understand the essential business concepts. How well do you know your organisation and the external environment in which it operates? Can you identify and analyse trends in your competitors’ behaviour? Do you have the financial acumen to understand your balance sheet? Our 100% online course introduces you to the business fundamentals, from business structures and models, to financial management and cashflow, and the role of innovation.

  • Who is the course for?

    This online course is ideal for anyone who wants to develop their knowledge of the business world, whether you're looking to advance your career, explore new career paths or launch your own business. It is suitable for business owners and employees working in the private and public sectors.

  • 100% online + 24/7 access

    Study when you want, where you want, to get the most from your learning. This 100% online course is delivered in 10 videos (6 hours total). With 24/7 unlimited access, you can watch the videos as many times as you need. This short course is non-accredited and there is no assessment. You will receive a certificate of completion once you have viewed all content.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you’ll be better able to understand and apply the following business concepts:

  • Business purpose and direction 
  • Importance and roles of the market and competition
  • Different business structures, their benefits and constraints
  • What the business delivers and how it attracts customers
  • Underlying business models and what the business does to generate revenue and create a profit
  • Financial management and cash flow
  • Product development and innovation
  • Critical 'systems' that every successful business uses
  • Why businesses fail


Armed with business acumen, you’ll be confident contributing to business discussions and decision-making within your organisation, or to drive your own business to success. 


Uncover secrets that entrepreneurs and business leaders have developed over many years. You won’t find them in any MBA program!

Take your career to the next level or fast-track your own business success with a deeper understanding of essential business concepts. Study at your own pace to complete 9 modules, all created and delivered by an expert practitioner.
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Course curriculum

  • 1
    Overview
  • 2
    Module 1: The Purpose of a Business
  • 3
    Module 2: Competition and Markets
  • 4
    Module 3: Business Structures
  • 5
    Module 4: Business Models
  • 6
    Module 5: Financial Management
  • 7
    Module 6: Innovation and Product Development
  • 8
    Module 7: Critical Business Systems
  • 9
    Module 8: Why Businesses Fail
  • 10
    Module 9: Summary
  • 11
    Feedback
  • Overview
  • Purpose of a Business
  • Biz Acumen - Competition & Markets
  • Biz Acumen - Business Structures
  • Biz Acumen - Business Models
  • Biz Acumen - Financial Management
  • Biz Acumen - Product Development
  • Biz Acumen - Critical Business Systems
  • Biz Acumen - Why businesses fail
  • Biz Acumen - Summary
  • Survey

Learn from expert practitioners

  • Michael Young

    Business Acumen Facilitator

    Michael Young

    Michael Young is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for project management and over 20 years’ experience working in project program and portfolio management across many sectors including government, defence, engineering IT, and logistics. As a strategy implementation advisor, Certified Advisory Board Chair and company Director he works with C-level executives around the world to reduce risk, save money and improve their reputation by implementing strategy. Over the last 20 years in management and consulting, he has focused on strategy implementation and developing the organisation's capability to deliver. He works with professional service businesses, particularly in construction, engineering, IT and consulting, who want to innovate, deliver on their ambitious strategy and create a stand-out delivery experience for their clients. Michael’s work has been featured in BRW, the Australian Financial Review and Smart Company. He has received over 25 awards, including Telstra Business Award and Australian Business Award’s for project management, innovation and sustainability. He also managed the Australian IT Project of the Year in 2006. He also worked as an advisor to the National Library of Australia on the program that was awarded the 2017 National Project of the Year. Michael has authored over 100 academic and industry papers and book chapters, and has edited numerous books. His most recent book Sustainable Project Management is an Amazon best-seller in the categories of project management and sustainable development.

Exceptional value for money

What you get: Unlimited access to 10 videos (6 hours total) 100% online learning Start anytime, study your way.

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