I guess I’m stating the obvious when I say, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere.” From content creation to customer service, AI is transforming almost all industries. For those of us who work in Corporate Talent Development, AI is reshaping how employees learn and how learning professionals create and deliver content.

But with all the buzz, the real question remains: How can AI be used to make learning more effective? How can AI be leveraged to do more than create efficiencies by using ChatGPT to help with ideas, writing, and putting together PowerPoint slides?

At Advantexe, we have been focusing on practical applications of AI to enhance our business simulations and accelerate learning at scale. With the growing need for asynchronous learning and reduced training times, AI helps deliver impactful learning experiences in shorter sessions. More than ever, our clients are asking, “What can you do in an hour or two?” AI is now enabling us to provide meaningful, high-impact learning in condensed formats. Rather than using AI for AI’s sake, we have been working on integrating it into our digital business simulations to provide learners with deeper insights, real-time feedback, and a more immersive experience. Here are two ways we are currently leveraging AI:

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Over the past few weeks, I have been working on an increasingly large number of Business Acumen training projects involving Supply Chain teams and the success they bring to their companies.

During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to conduct research and interview subject matter experts in the pharmaceuticals, consumer products, semiconductors, automotive, and industrial materials industries.

As I have been compiling the base conditions and writing the “wobblers” for the business simulations, we will use to teach the business acumen skills supply chain audiences need, I have noticed some fascinating patterns in terms of the significant trends impacting supply chain leaders and contributors. It’s my pleasure to share some of the insights with readers of this blog.

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Over the past decade, Advantexe has worked with consumer products companies around the world and has served many different categories ranging from soft drinks to fabric care.

Based on the situation of today, we feel that Consumer Products Companies (CPCs) in 2025 and beyond will need to be more agile, sustainable, and digitally savvy. Balancing innovation with operational resilience while addressing evolving consumer expectations and regulatory landscapes—will be key to thriving in a competitive and uncertain global marketplace.

This blog post has been created to share insights, observations, and ideas for training in the areas of business acumen, business leadership, and strategic business selling skills. While the specific challenges and opportunities may vary by company and market, here are ten key challenges that consumer products companies are likely to face in 2025 and beyond:

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For years, organizations have relied on “traditional” Finance for the Non-Financial Manager (FFNFM) programs to help managers better understand essential financial concepts and terms. This allows them to understand how their company makes money and, possibly, how to make better business decisions. In fact, a recent Advantexe survey found that 76% of companies still offer an FFNFM program, proving its continued relevance.

An effective FFNFM program should go beyond teaching financial terms and concepts, it must build confidence, skills, and the ability to analyze data, make informed decisions, and drive business results.

This blog post will explore the key elements of a strong FFNFM program, including foundational financial concepts, the impact of business decisions on financials, and how simulations can enhance financial acumen. By building core skills, managers can better connect financial insights with strategy to ensure they contribute to their company’s growth and performance.

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This is an urgent edition of the Advantexe Advisor Blog that is being shared with our clients and community. As the work week starts, US businesses are struggling to understand the short-term and long-term implications of the government's decision to implement tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.

The purpose of this document is to share business insights and to help our clients understand the business acumen of the tariffs. Over the weekend, I spent time crafting new simulation wobblers that will be integrated into several of our customized business acumen simulations being prepared for roll-out over the next few weeks.

As always, Advantexe tries to keep the business acumen learnings non-political so our clients can understand the situation and use new knowledge and skills to make the best short-term and long-term business decisions for their people, customers, and stakeholders.

What are Tariffs?

Import tariffs, like the ones President Trump is levying, are taxes placed on goods imported from other countries. Please note that export tariffs, which are taxes on goods brought out of a country, are much rarer and not part of the current situation.

There are several different types of tariffs, and the kind that President Trump is imposing is known as an “ad valorem tariff,” meaning the tax on imported goods is calculated as a percentage of the product’s value. For example, if Product X has a Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) of $100 and the tariff is 10%, the tax will be $10. It is not the selling price of Product X, which could be $150, which is a typical 50% margin.

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