Unlocking Organizational Potential: A Finance Director's Journey with Business Acumen Training
Published Date
Why a Finance Director Champions Business Acumen Training
Understanding how different business functions interact isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for making informed decisions.
Recently, we spoke with Tamsyn Parry, a seasoned Finance Director, who has been reshaping her team's business understanding through business acumen training.
With 15 years of leadership experience, Tamsyn has seen how the right financial and strategic knowledge can drive meaningful change across an organization. But why would a Finance Director advocate for business acumen training beyond the finance team?
The answer is twofold.
The Spark That Started the Journey
Tamsyn’s interest in business acumen training began when a fellow finance manager in Australia shared his team’s positive results after completing the program. His endorsement was strong, highlighting tangible benefits that had improved his team's financial understanding and decision-making.
Beyond this recommendation, Tamsyn saw the bigger picture—she recognized the untapped potential of a team with a broader business perspective. Strengthening cross-functional awareness would not only improve financial insights but also enhance collaboration across departments.
How Business Acumen Training Helps Finance Professionals
Finance professionals often get absorbed in day-to-day tasks, sometimes without a full understanding of how their work connects to the rest of the business.
Tamsyn described how business acumen training helps to:
- Clarify the bigger picture—so finance professionals understand how their work impacts the company's trajectory.
- Strengthen financial decision-making—by improving how account variances are interpreted.
- Encourage collaboration—so different departments can work together more effectively.
Measuring the Impact: Understanding Key Metrics
During a recent business simulation workshop at World Vision New Zealand, participants were asked about three key metrics used by the organization:
- CPA (Cost/Acquisition) Ratio
- ROI (Return on Investment) Ratio
- Percentage of Income Promised to the Field
These specific ratios were not covered in the training, yet the workshop’s interactive discussions helped participants grasp them anyway.
- Pre-Workshop: 45% of non-finance participants said they understood these ratios.
- Post-Workshop: That number jumped to 78%.
Tamsyn was surprised at how much the non-finance group improved, reinforcing the idea that hands-on learning builds lasting financial understanding.
Strengthening Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Tamsyn shared experiences where misalignment between departments led to frustration and inefficiencies. She sees cross-functional training as a way to bridge these gaps.
Much like a band finding harmony, successful organizations need departments to work in sync. While she’d like the training to explore cross-functional operations in even greater depth, she acknowledged the immediate benefits of including staff from various departments in the simulation.
- Pre-Workshop: 36% of non-finance participants said they understood how different business functions worked together.
- Post-Workshop: That number rose to 83%.
This improvement should lead to better collaboration, stronger decision-making, and greater efficiency in daily operations.
The Finance Director as a Conductor
As a leader, Tamsyn understands the importance of balance when navigating differing financial perspectives. The key, she says, is open, informed conversations.
Just as a conductor guides an orchestra, she ensures that every voice contributes to a well-balanced decision-making process.
Conclusion: The Lasting Benefits of Business Acumen Training
Our conversation with Tamsyn Parry reinforced the value of business acumen training—not just for finance professionals, but for entire organizations.
- It improves financial understanding.
- It strengthens cross-functional collaboration.
- It supports better decision-making across all levels.
Her insights help us continue refining our programs, ensuring they remain engaging, relevant, and beneficial.
Bring Business Acumen Training to Your Organization
Want to strengthen cross-department collaboration and improve financial decision-making?
Contact us today to learn more.
