Business Acumen

The time for business acumen - as a learnt skill, only exercised by a rare few within an organisation - is over. It is crucially important for many people to understand both the key indicators of business acumen, and also to develop the capability to support it. Dattner Grant has a significant number of experienced senior leaders helping other leaders to develop this.

Business acumen includes the ability to read the 'narrative' of the organisation's financial performance through key financial documents including Profit & Loss Statements, Cash Flow Forecasts, Balance Sheets and Business Forecasts. People do not need to be able to generate these documents, but they do need to be able to interpret and use them. Research indicates that a relatively large number of people, in key areas of influence, are unable to do this. Dattner Grant holds this as a starting point in business acumen. We also believe that it is important to get people to talk honestly about their level of competence.

Business acumen must then be assessed by an individual's ability to demonstrate:

  • Broad scanning (including an assessment of the vehicles they use to stay informed)
  • Intuitive insight (the insights gained from broad scanning)
  • Reflective insight (the level of connection that occurs as individuals reflect on intuition against where they see their own organisation)
  • Analytical thinking (taking reflective insight and then weighing the pros and cons)
  • Decisiveness (being able to then act on an idea, including engaging key stakeholders).

Please refer to our news section for the latest on our busines acumen initiatives. You can also contact us directly to obtain more information about the work we do in this area.

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Testimonial Start Dattner Grant is far and away the most constructive management/leadership consulting firm I have worked with.Testimonial End Sustainable Regional Australia
Testimonial Start Really appreciate the contribution of the Dattner Grant team in both preparing for, and delivering the program – it addressed the exact needs of the group in a timely and effective way. Thank you.Testimonial End Benevolent Society
Testimonial Start Jim, Fabian and the rest of their team create a unique approach to leadership development. Their content and facilitation is second to none and we are proud of our association with them.Testimonial End General Mills Australia & New Zealand
Testimonial Start ...the group was highly engaged via your excellent facilitation, your knowledge of the subject matter and MWH and, YOUR passion for OUR purpose.Testimonial End MWH
Testimonial Start Dattner Grant has played a critical role in understanding, coaching and inspiring our leaders. The commitment of Fabian and Marshall – to both me personally and to the vision of the organisation – has been exceptional. I encourage any organisation which is seeking to harness the best of its talent, and have the greatest impact, to seriously consider partnering with Dattner Grant as you continue on your leadership journey.Testimonial End The Foundation for Young Australians
Testimonial Start Dattner Grant facilitators have the ability to understand our business and the development needs of our people that has been unmatched by other service providers. They have gone beyond expectations on many occasions in a way that demonstrates real commitment to the purpose and vision of Aurora.Testimonial End Aurora Energy