Category: Thought

Competency: Demonstrating Business Acumen

Competency Definition: The ability to apply business insight, data, and strategy to make informed decisions and achieve organizational goals.

Abbreviation in Louisiana Jobs: DBA - 26


Demonstrating Business Acumen

Competency Behaviors: Specific, observable actions demonstrating the competency

Forming


Struggles to demonstrate the competency; needs guidance and practice.
  • Fails to recognize key business trends due to insufficient knowledge of organizational or industry dynamics
  • Struggles to develop actionable business plans or considering future trends
  • Fails to communicate business ideas in a way that resonates with stakeholders
  • Creates strategies that fail to address stakeholder needs due to a lack of engagement or incomplete understanding of expectations

Improving


Shows growth and increasing confidence but not yet consistently independent

Successful


Demonstrates the competency independently and reliably in routine situations
  • Identifies key business trends and provides straightforward analysis based on general awareness of the environment and organizational context
  • Develops actionable business plans in response to emerging trends
  • Conveys business concepts to influence stakeholders in a positive manner
  • Develops strategies that are informed by consultation with stakeholders and aligned with their needs and priorities

Exceeds


Applies the competency independently in challenging or high-impact situations, adding value or insight

Exceptional


Demonstrates subject-matter expertise, serves as a role model, and elevates standards.
  • Integrates insights from multiple sources to deliver strategic analysis, connecting trends, competition, and economic drivers to long-term opportunities and risks
  • Anticipates trends and aligns long-term business plans to strategic objectives
  • Communicates nuanced, interconnected business concepts succinctly and persuasively to gain stakeholder buy-in and foster lasting relationships
  • Engages stakeholders as active contributors in shaping strategies that anticipate future needs and advance long-term organizational goals