Business is a game played by great business sense people!

No matter what industry you are in, regardless what kind of products and services you are selling, in any collaboration with another party in forming a partnership... the clear & precise value proposition is imperative to bring “soul” into the business model.

In these years of experience in a business development role, I found that the fundamental of any business is the value lies in its future profit & incremental positive cash flow generation, which for a significant part depends on the business’s ability and capability to successfully serve the intended market segments.

I think it is paramount to acquire a strong business sense or market awareness for one commercial role to be successful.

Business sense is about understanding the technical know-how in profit making for a company, competitive-advantage acquisition, competitors analysis and value creation focus for targeted customers. Oneself shall also consistently observe, discovery & innovate in capability building to support the business growth.  

If you can identify the issues of the company’s products or services, put forward your recommendation to improve the presence in the market;

If you can analyze the company’s business model, put forward your views on the future prediction of success or failure, evaluate the company’s future needs to develop a win-win business model;

If you can make sound industry movement prediction with strategic justification.

Congratulation! You may have acquired some business sense already.  

Business sense is a skill that can learn over time. 

a/ Knowledge

• Learn the basic of financial accounting, economy, industry, business models & frameworks analysis.
• You should know the basic principle of GDP, asset, liability, supply and demand, interest, balance sheet, income statement, cash flow &, etc.

b/ Exposure & Work Experience

• Make yourself a habit of reading the daily financial news, pay attention to those important business events, e., new merger and acquisition, new product launching, company investor presentation &, etc.
• Hop into a commercial job that expose yourself to the commercial case study, product selling experience, consumer insight, accumulated sales & marketing working experience & environment.
• You can push yourself in spare time to read some financial, market & business magazine on commentary & articles.

c/ Networking 

(This is the fastest way to develop business sense & awareness!)

• Mingle with many entrepreneurs or surrounded with business minded people, i.e. Finance, Business Development, Sales & Marketing expert, and consultant.
• Start to think logically & analyze your thought process & discuss with them on any economic business events happening around you. Learn their view and commercial common sense.
• “I learned all my business sense from my dad.” If you have a business person as your father!

  “Business is a game played by those great business sense people.  You are in competition with experts and to win the game, you must learn to be the mastermind of the game!”

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I was in production & operation management leadership role for more than a decade. Currently, I am attaching to a corporate profession in Business Development & Strategic Planning. I am also a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT), Certified Train the Trainer & Certified Business Analyst. I believe & inspired by “Anyone shall be given a chance to learn hence transform learning into long-lasting growth; building productive change!” 

I regularly write about management, leadership and career development as well. Feel free to also connect via Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook About Learning Curve.

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