Welcome to your FBP Self Assessment Quiz! Where are you on our ‘From Bean Counter to Business Partner®’ self-assessment? For each statement below, indicate how accurately the statement describes you. 1 indicates rarely, 5 indicates usually. As you work through each statement, think of what specific evidence you have to demonstrate when and how you carry out these behaviours. Consider working through this with your boss for a really accurate picture! Connect & Collaborate I spend valuable time with key partners in other departments learning about their issues & how I might be able to support them in my finance role Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I help my partners make smarter, more informed decisions by helping them understand the financial implications of different decisions. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I recognise we all have different personality styles & adopt my approach with others accordingly to ensure the best connection with them possible. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Communicate Financial Info Effectively Communicate Financial Info Effectively I clearly explain what the numbers mean for my audience, rather than throw lots of numbers at them Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I can summarise my financial information in 3 simple key bullet points. Rarely Not Often Sometimes Often Usually None I use normal words & language to explain what the financials mean for them specifically, i.e. not everything I know. Rarely Not Often Sometimes Often Usually None Clear Strategic Thinker I am fully clear on the organisation’s strategic goals & exactly how I can contribute to achieving that in partnership with others. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I seek other people’s opinions to enrich & broaden my own perspectives. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I compare the potential short and long-term consequences of the actions I’m considering. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Commercial Acumen I ask questions about what’s going on in my unit, organisation, industry & wider environment. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I stay up to date on important trends affecting my industry and my organisation’s operations. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I consider whether improvements I’m making to my own department’s operations may create problems for people in other parts of the organisation. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Change Agent & Challenge the Status Quo I welcome new ideas and opinions – even if they seem strange at first. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I look for opportunities today that might generate valuable results tomorrow. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I question my own longstanding assumptions and encourage others to question theirs. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Computer: Digital Finance I stay up to date with different technologies that may support what I do as a FBP. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I use the tools available to me, such as Excel & any bespoke systems, to their capabilities. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I proactively automate & systematise as much as possible using technology tools available to me (even if this is Outlook Calendar or Tasks!). Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Curiosity, Creative & Can-Do attitude I work to broaden my knowledge, experience and skill set in many ways. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I work hard to understand the perspectives of others, even when they’re completely different to mine. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I stay motivated & remember why I’m working hard to be a great business partner, even when it doesn’t seem my support is always welcomed. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Calm, Confident & in Control I look after myself by getting plenty of rest & sleep, nourishing myself with healthy food & drink and taking regular exercise. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I am resilient and manage my stress levels at work well. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I stay calm when others don’t seem to be listening to or ignoring the advice I’m giving them from a financial perspective. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Competent Finance Professional I stay up to date with relevant accounting legislation & regulations. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I know the key people to speak to with specialist technical financial skills, e.g. IFRS whizzes, tax, VAT, etc. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None I find ways to speed up the production & accuracy of regular reports to create time to translate these into meaningful information for my audience. Rarely Not often Sometimes Often Usually None Time's up
I’m a FBP; looking out to improve my skills and understand and apply best practices.
Thanks!