Business Orientation

The ability to recognize opportunities for new services and products and to act accordingly, taking measured risks into account.

takes calculated risks
does not need much support from others
is able to manage stress
is ambitious
knows when to say 'yes' or 'no'

is alert to clients' needs and wishes and acts accordingly
sees opportunities to interest clients in new products and services
talks in terms of opportunities, not in terms of problems
brainstorms with others about new products and services
approaches other people to direct their attention to products and services available

knows relevant developments within the client`s organization and offers services accordingly
knows and uses his/her client's relevant networks
observes problems within the client's organization and services and uses them to make a relevant offer
builds network relationships and uses them to advertise his/her services
explores unusual and innovative possibilities to advertise his/her services

generates ideas about the organization's future and its scope of services; translates them into feasible strategies and goals
explores opportunities for cooperation, partnerships or take-overs that could improve his/her organization's position
presents new concepts for services and products that have not been marketed before
recognizes the right moment for marketing innovative products and services
looks for strategic positions in (inter)national networks that could be of use for the organization
does not avoid risks even when certain aspects and facts are still unknown

Business orientation can be easily developed if the candidate has a more than average score (7,8,9) on the drives Ambition & challenges, Energy & action and Independent thinking & acting.

Are you an enterprising person? Could you give examples?
Have you ever been your own boss? What kind of business did you have? What kind of successes did you attain?
Have you ever had to think of ways to obtain funding?
What did you do in order to improve your results in your last job?
Have you ever been in a situation as a manager in which goals were not met? What did you do?

Make sure your business model answers three questions: What do I enjoy? What am I good at? What is economically feasible and attractive?
Try to think outside the box.
Do not just think about today but invest in the long term.
Remain positive, do not complain.
Work with successful entrepreneurs. Ask them for advice.

Discuss your candidate’s personal and professional targets and wishes.
Practise defining goals in a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) way with your candidate.
Consider a certain issue or problem with your candidate by brainstorming. Do not put his suggestions up for discussion (yet). Review the pros and cons of each suggestion together.
Ask your candidate which competencies he likes to use at work; what kind of work gives the candidate energy?
Engage in an associative or brainstorming session with the person over a certain topic or a problem that is bothering him. Use development and brainstorming suggestions, and possibly mindmapping techniques.
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