Page 57 - kf fyi for your improvement license eng 3-4-15

Want to learn more? Take a deep dive…

Capozzi, C. (n.d.). How to become more business-minded. Chron.
Hill, B. (n.d.). What is a strong general business acumen? Chron.

Kelly-Detwiler, P. (2013, September 30). How Walmart and G.E. are leading a transformation in the
energy market. Forbes.

Job assignments
• Volunteer to participate in the budget setting and monitoring process. Use this as an opportunity to dig
beneath the surface of the business and broaden your understanding.
• Offer to take new starters on a company tour. Introducing them to different parts of the business can be
a great way to hone your own knowledge of how the business operates.
• Work short rotations in other units, functions, or geographies you’ve not been exposed to before.
Select areas you know least about.
• Do a customer-satisfaction survey in person or by phone, and present the results to key stakeholders.
Use the customer feedback to help you understand what the business is doing right and what needs to
change. Make recommendations for improvement.

• Do a competitive analysis of your organization’s products or services or position in the marketplace,
and present it to the people involved. What can you learn from other organizations? What does the
analysis teach you about business as a whole?

Take time to reflect…
If you think understanding the business doesn’t apply to you…

…then remember that being part of the organization involves understanding how it works. Break
down the complexities. Demystify the concepts. Develop a comprehensive picture of how the
business operates.

If you make your decisions without considering the business context…

…then take a step back to think through the business implications of your choices. Even logical
decisions can sometimes be at odds with strategy. Think holistically. Think context. Think
organizational goals.

If you’re too busy to learn about the industry and market…
…then understand the importance of developing greater insight. Taking time to look more broadly
will open your eyes. It will help you anticipate what’s coming your way.

“There is nothing so terrible
as activity without insight.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – German poet, scientist, and diplomat
© Korn Ferry 2014-2015. All rights reserved. WWW.KORNFERRY.COM

57