(Updated in 2020)
When I look to hire a new employee, one of the key skills I look for is savvy. It goes beyond education, beyond experience, and beyond talent.
Here’s Google’s definition of savvy:
shrewd and knowledgeable in the realities of life.
synonyms:
shrewd, astute, sharp-witted, sharp, acute, adroit, intelligent, clever,canny, perceptive, perspicacious, sagacious, sage, wise
People can be savvy about different things— social, political, business, tech, cultural. One of the cool things about savvy is that it can be a noun, a verb, or an adjective. Captain Jack Sparrow is fond of using the verb form, meaning “understand?”
In the entrepreneurial world, if you find a partner or employee with business savvy, you’ve struck gold. You’ve found someone who is resourceful, quick, and probably a leader too.
I recently saw a rant by Gary Vaynerchuk about why people over 40 should be more entrepreneurial, (warning there is a tiny bit of profanity in the video) and he touched on this exact quality. People with a lifetime of actual experience naturally build up savvy. They have learned to adapt to different situations because they’ve been through them. They have context.
But don’t assume that savvy is restricted to the over-40 crowd. Practical experience helps build savvy, but you can encounter young people who are “savvy savants.” Often they are referred to as “old souls.”
How to Become More Business Savvy
- Look beneath the surface in any situation; don’t immediately accept things at face value.
- Pick up skills intentionally. Communication skills, in particular, contribute to savvy.
- Take note of things going on around you. Perceptive is another synonym for savvy.
- Don’t be afraid to go against the herd.
- Apply insider knowledge to your advantage (like using curbside checkin at the airport instead of inside counter help).
- Don’t ignore etiquette; pay attention to the details of social graces, which apply even more in business situations.
- Do a lot more listening than talking.
- Humility is important, but don’t be a doormat. Savvy people look for a win-win whenever they can. It’s not always about getting an advantage for yourself.
- Take time to learn about cultural differences.
- Be the most prepared person in the room.
Do you consider yourself a savvy business person? What qualities do you feel make someone savvy?
“Be the most prepared person in the room.”
Yeah, this is good. Nothing is more embarrassing than being unprepared for something. You can’t even make a good excuse for it.
“I didn’t have time!”
Of course you had time, you’re just an idiot. Don’t be an idiot.
I just did a quick search for business savvy skill as I got told off and this was at the top.
Hi Brandon! Glad you found us, and sorry you got told off. Was the article helpful?
Hi Rosemary. The article was very clear on what business savvy really means. It may take me another 5 years or more to develop those skills.
We’re all in that boat together Brandon!
Re 2: I think it is also important to grasp that “communication” is a two-way street. Quite often people that talk a lot see themselves as good communicators.
Yes Rebecca, absolutely! Good point.
This was most helpful! Are there any other tips you might have for a healthcare professional with no business experience trying to understand the world of entrepreneurship and running his own company? I feel blinded to many key aspects of being a business professional!