The Business Acumen Podcast

Why do so many capable teams struggle to make good business decisions?

In this episode, Stephen M.R. Covey and Kevin Cope share the story behind the founding of Acumen Learning and the problem they couldn’t ignore.

Even inside a highly successful organization, they saw a disconnect. People were talented and motivated, but they didn’t fully understand how the business made money. That gap created misalignment, poor decisions, and real financial strain.

What followed was a shift in thinking that changed everything.

In this conversation, they break down:

• The early challenges inside the Covey Leadership organization
• Why “no margin, no mission” became a turning point
• How improving business acumen helped turn the business around
• The realization that this gap exists in nearly every company
• What it actually took to build Acumen Learning from the ground up

This episode sets the foundation for the rest of the podcast. If you want to understand why business acumen matters and where it all started, this is the place to begin.

To learn more visit: acumenlearning.com or check out our books Seeing The Big Picture & Business Acumen for Sales Success

Most professionals are good at their job but don’t fully understand how their work connects to company performance.

That gap leads to misalignment, missed opportunities, and slower growth.  

In this short introduction, Stephen H Covey explains what this podcast is about, who it’s for, and what you can expect.

This podcast is built for:

• Leaders who want better alignment and decision-making
• Sales professionals who need to understand their customers’ business
• Teams that want to connect their work to real business outcomes

You’ll hear:

• Conversations with Acumen Learning leaders
• Interviews with executives from leading organizations
• Industry breakdowns and real-world examples
• A simple framework built around the five business drivers: cash, profit, assets, growth, and people  

If you want to understand how business really works and gain an edge in your career, this podcast is for you.

To learn more visit: acumenlearning.com or check out our books Seeing The Big Picture & Business Acumen for Sales Success