Business acumen

Business acumen, also known as business savviness, business sense and business understanding, is a combination of knowledge, skills, and experience that enables individuals to understand business situations, make sound decisions, and drive successful outcomes for an organization.[citation needed] It is also defined as "keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a business situation (risks and opportunities) in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome".[1] It involves having a "big picture" view of the business, financial literacy, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.[citation needed] The UK government considers business acumen to be a skill required by civil service staff with responsibilities in a contract management role.[2]

Additionally, business acumen is viewed as having emerged as a vehicle for improving financial performance and leadership development.[3] Consequently, several types of strategies have developed around improving business acumen.

  1. ^ Reilly, Dr. Raymond R and Reilly, Dr. Gregory P. "Building Business Acumen", HR West, December 2009.
  2. ^ Government Commercial Function (2019), Contract Management: Professional Standards Version 2.0, p. 7, published in July 2019, accessed on 23 September 2024
  3. ^ Summerfield, Brian. "A Crisis in Leadership" Archived June 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Chief Learning Officer Magazine, April 2008.