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Leadership

Boosting Your Business Acumen

Megan Rybak /

It’s no secret that in order to make an impact in their organizations, HR leaders must have the ability to understand & apply key metrics to decision-making as well as to demonstrate a proficiency in business acumen. With some help from the Society of Human Resource Management, we have listed below 5 ways that you can apply business acumen to solve everyday issues:

Understand all business functions

It’s vital to take the necessary time to get to know and understand the responsibilities & HR needs of each department head. From this, you will benefit from building stronger relationships, learning more about the business & how you can help each individual.

Think Proactively

It’s hard not to get bogged down when employees are calling you with payroll issues, benefits questions or employee relations grievances, but don’t get stuck in all things administrative. Try to carve out time each day to think and act proactively in order to grow your trust, credibility and influence with executives & other senior leaders.

Be Present

When interacting with others each day, try not to think about the 30 e-mails waiting to be answered; they will still be there later! Instead, get as much out of every conversation as you can by being physically and mentally present. People will notice and appreciate your attention.

Dig deeper and be brave

Don’t accept everything you hear! Be curious. Ask questions. For example, if you don’t understand something said in a meeting, it’s likely that someone else doesn’t understand it either. You’ll be admired for your courage if you seek clarification, and others will grow to trust you because they know you to be a leader, not a follower!

Overall, understanding the business environment in which your organization operates on a macro and micro level, and knowing how your company makes money, will benefit your professional growth and help your business succeed in today’s competitive environment.

Article courtesy of Desda Moss, Managing Director of HR Magazine.

 

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