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Business Acumen

Knowledge, insight, and understanding of business concepts, tools, and processes that are needed for making sound decisions in the context of the company’s business; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

Behavior Statements

Proficiency Level 1 - Basic understanding

Explains how own company makes money.

Describes profitability drivers and considerations.

Demonstrates an understanding of the business priorities of internal and external clients.

Describes desired or actual business results in measurable scales or terms.

Proficiency Level 2 - Working experience

Demonstrates ability to get things done in own unit or area.

Communicates key considerations for business decision making process.

Comments on the organization's business model and financial goals.

Cites examples of types of information needed to make sound business decisions.

Caters to key stakeholders and their priorities.

Proficiency Level 3 - Extensive experience

Demonstrates strong foundation of business fundamentals, measurement, and business finance.

Explains advantages and risks of using business simulations for critical business decisions.

Demonstrates a big picture understanding of the business, its interrelationships, and priorities.

Explains business issues and trends of own business unit as compared to other business units.

Designs the organization's planning processes and decision-making channels.

Develops business cases for own function; reviews and critiques cases for other functions.

Proficiency Level 4 - Subject matter depth and breadth

Participates in creating organizational strategy; shows how own function contributes to results.

Lectures on how key decisions impact P&L, short and long-term.

Influences the manner in which business decisions are made in the organization.

Explains the organization's business model and competitive position in the marketplace.

Utilizes economic, financial, and organizational data to build business cases for major initiatives.

Analyzes business performance or trends of any organization: competitors, customers, or partners.

Interview Questions

  • How have your past business decisions affected the financial goals of your last organization?
  • How did you measure the success of your last company?
  • Tell me how you assess the business value of a project or task that is not directly linked to organizational goals.
  • How do you go about making important decisions within a business setting?
  • Describe a time when you made a poor business decision and how you corrected it.

Titles with Shared Competencies