Acumen Dynamics LLC.

“Dr. Pistrui’s course was useful and applicable in a variety of ways. I would like to express my deep appreciation and thanks to the wonderful learning experience he provided during the period of the program.”
Al-Hussaini Hussain, National Bank of Bahrain
Acumen Dynamics offers a variety of 1-4 day Short Courses and Workshops, as well as, customized "Special Topics Programs" that are designed to foster self improvement and organization growth and learning.
> Special topic workshops and courses > Workshops on growth and learning > Professional short courses > Recent Examples

Entrepreneurship has been embraced worldwide by individuals and organizations as the engine of socio-economic prosperity, growth and change. Entrepreneurial thinking and leadership is at the forefront of the creation of new enterprises, the succession and continuity of privately controlled businesses, the sustained competitive advantage of large corporations as well as the longevity of not-for-profit organizations. Creating and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset is central to effective strategic execution, innovation, growth and change.

This seminar focuses on three themes. First, to define entrepreneurship and look at the impact it has across different types of businesses, organizations and socio-economic systems. Second is to encourage the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities in the participant's own organizations through the presentation of the Acumen Scorecard Framework for balanced growth and learning. Thirdly, empower the exchange and sharing of ideas, concepts, and thinking which can be employed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and sustained competitive advantage in today's dynamic marketplace.

The format will include an overview and presentation by the seminar leader, as well as an interactive exchange and discussion by session participants. Those who attend can expect to benefit from a combination of practical and theoretical frameworks to advance their knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial abilities including:

Defining entrepreneurship in different organizational contexts.
Gaining insights into the role entrepreneurship plays in local, regional, and global economies.
Advancing the understanding of how entrepreneurship drives growth and socio-economic development in the private and public economic sectors.
Identification and definition of the central attributes, characteristics and dimensions of an Entrepreneurial Mindset.
Presentation and discussion of the Acumen Scorecard Framework that is used to foster an Entrepreneurial Mindset and strategic development that links people, strategy and performance.
Identification of entrepreneurial opportunities for growth and learning in your business, organization, and community.

Entrepreneurship has been embraced worldwide by individuals, families and organizations as the engine of socio-economic prosperity, growth and change. Entrepreneurial thinking and leadership is at the forefront of the creation of new enterprises, the succession and continuity of family and privately controlled businesses, and the sustained competitive advantage of large and small corporations. Creating and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset is central to effective strategic execution, innovation, growth and business continuity.

This workshop seminar will focus on three themes. First, to define entrepreneurship and explore the impact it has on family and business dynamics. Second is to encourage the identification of family and non-family entrepreneurial opportunities in the participant's organizations through the presentation of the Acumen Scorecard Framework for balanced growth and learning. Thirdly, empower the exchange and sharing of ideas, concepts, and thinking which can be employed to foster entrepreneurial thinking, family well-being, and sustained competitive advantage.

Defining entrepreneurship and family & closely held businesses in different cultural & organizational contexts.
Gaining insights into the role and forms of entrepreneurship prevalent in successful family & closely held businesses and non-family businesses around the world.
Advancing the understanding of how entrepreneurship can foster family unity and business growth.
Identification and definition of the central attributes, characteristics and dimensions of an Entrepreneurial Mindset.
Presentation and discussion of the Acumen Scorecard Framework that is used to foster an Entrepreneurial Mindset and strategic business development that links people, strategy and performance.
Introduction of processes, systems, and frameworks to build a balanced approach to family & closely held business development and profitability
Identification of entrepreneurial opportunities for growth and learning in your business, family, organization, and community.

In 1992, Robert Kaplan of Harvard Business School and David Norton of Renaissance Solutions introduced the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). The BSC is a performance management and measurement system that integrates both financial and non-financial measures. In today's complex business environment strategies for creating value are shifting from managing tangible assets to more knowledge based strategies related to deploying intangible assets including customer relationships, workforce motivation, product/service innovation, knowledge, and skill building.

The BSC helps translate and align strategic vision into operational terms through the balancing of performance metrics across four different perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Growth & Learning. Today over half of the Fortune 500 and an ever growing number of midsize and small enterprises are using the BSC performance management system to foster growth and profitability.

This is the first in a series of four half day short courses that provide a general introduction and overview of the BSC performance management system. This will include an overview and background on the concept, discussion of the four perspectives, strategy mapping, leading and lagging indicators, as well as cause and effect linkages. Several examples of how the BSC has been used by public and private large, midsize, and small enterprises will be presented.

Course Outline

Part 1 - Introduction of the BSC as a Performance Management System
Part 2 - Fostering Organizational Commitment to Strategy
Part 3 - Measuring & Managing Performance Based Business Strategy

Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain a general introduction to the concepts and central components associated with the BSC performance management system. The course will provide the foundation necessary to explore the development of BSC frameworks in public and private organizations.

This is the second course in a series of four half day short courses that builds on the fundamentals of the BSC performance management system. You will learn how to translate vision into a performance management system and effectively communicate strategic intent throughout the organization. This will include how to secure executive buy in and build organizational participation and support. Learn how to identify and build cause and effect linkages and metrics that align organizational resources across the financial, business process, customer, and growth and learning perspectives.

Course Outline

Part 1 - Sponsorship, Communication and Team Building around the BSC
Part 2 - Developing BSC Metrics that Support Strategy
Part 3 - Aligning Resources, Objectives and Performance Measures

Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain insights on how to apply and adapt the BSC performance management system in their company or organization's own environment. Build an increased ability to identify and select appropriate leading and lagging performance measures for your business. Learn how to identify and implement sustainable strategic improvements across the four BSC perspectives. Discover new ideas on how to link operational and strategic objectives. The course will provide the practical knowledge necessary to explore the development of BSC frameworks in public and private businesses.

This is the third course in a series of four half day short courses that builds on the fundamentals of the BSC performance management system. Using the Balanced Scorecard will show you how to apply the system to your environment by concentrating on some focused fundamentals for success. You will work on developing an implementation plan along with the key aspects associated with implementing the BSC system in your organization. You will learn about the importance of communicating results and using this knowledge to revise and improve the BSC performance management system in your own business.

Course Outline

Part 1 - Building Solid BSC Fundamentals
Part 2 - Developing an Implementation Plan
Part 3 - Communicating and Using the Results
Part 4 - Revising and Improving the BSC System

Expected Outcomes

Participants will develop a set of fundamental questions and key issues they must address across the Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Growth and Learning perspectives in their organization or business. Develop knowledge on how to build a road map and process necessary to implement the BSC system. Learn to identify the vital roles and responsibilities required to communicate results and use the system in your organization. Identify how the results can be used in your organization to revise and improve the BSC performance management system to foster profitable growth and organizational learning.

This is the last course in a series of four half day short courses that build on the fundamentals of the BSC performance management system. This course focuses on the linkages key to transforming the BSC from a measurement system to a strategic management system. We will look at how the BSC framework can be used to analyze strategic opportunities across the Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Growth and Learning perspectives. You will learn how to build Strategy Maps that aid in the creation, implementation, and management of business and organizational strategy.

Course Outline

Part 1 - Building the Strategy Focused Organization
Part 2 - Organizational Strategies and the Marketplace
Part 3 - Developing Innovative Strategies
Part 4 - Using the BSC Framework to Build Strategy Maps

Expected Outcomes

Understand how to use the BSC framework to link strategic objectives and operational initiatives in your organization. The ability to build a Strategy Map that articulates how and why resources and capabilities can be combined to enhance the strategic management of an organization. An increased capability to identify and understand different types of organizational strategies. Participants will develop a set of fundamental questions and key issues they must address across the Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Growth and Learning perspectives in their organization or business.

Who Should Attend

You will benefit most from this seminar if you are a:

Senior executives responsible for making strategic decisions
Executives, mangers or directors responsible for operational performance and strategic planning
Leaders who manage performance appraisal management system
Chief Financial Officer or Controller
Coordinators of project-based improvement programs such as MBO, TQM
Member of strategic planning task force

Course Description

Entrepreneurial Management: Global Best Practices is designed to provide a broad perspective on the processes that constitute the architecture of successful entrepreneur-founded and managed businesses. Participants will study the history of the business sector of North America and the contributions of entrepreneurs to the economy. In addition, participants will recognize the emergence of "strategy" as the intellectual driving force that networks all activities of the firm into a coordinated, interactive, efficient, and effective force with a high probability of dominating the firm's chosen markets.

Course Outline

Part 1 - Characteristics & Attributes of Entrepreneurial Vision & Opportunity Recognition
Part 2 - Entrepreneurial Management: Profiles in Success & Failure
Part 3 - Creating an Entrepreneurial Mindset and Framework for Growth and Learning
Part 4 - Applying Entrepreneurial Management: Opportunities & Best Practices

Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain broad insights into the complex nature of entrepreneurship and enterprise development. Insights into how successful entrepreneurs start new ventures and develop sustained strategic advantage while operating in complex and competitive socio-economic environments will be presented.

Who Should Attend

Anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship including:

those thinking of starting a business,
those working for midsize privately held enterprises,
anyone working for an established business that could benefit from insights into entrepreneurial management tools & techniques.