How to Become a Strategic Business Partner

In my last blog, I spoke about the importance of collaboration and partnership to successfully achieve a shared vision. Today, I want to build on this notion by defining a strategic business partner. What does this mean, and why is it important? And how does one become a strategic business partner in the eyes of those around you?

Let’s examine the words Strategic Business Partner separately. “Strategic” means looking out to the coming two, five, or 10 years. It also means seeing the bigger picture from several points of view, such as the client, the user, and those who provide resources and funding. The other part of being strategic is a carefully designed approach to serving a purpose in a long-term goal. The important word in “business partner” is “partner.” If you know your business, then to partner means to create a mutually beneficial collaboration. 

Here are three ways to become a strategic business partner yourself:

Widen your perspective. If you limit seeing business needs from the perspective of your own function (HR, IT, marketing, etc.), you will be seen as tactical at best, and an impediment to the business’s success at worst. Step back and think about what would best serve the business overall. Look out to the coming year or two. Speak from that point of view. 

Add value by offering options and facts. Help the people in your organization meet their goals. Figure out strategies other than saying “no” or “there’s only one way” – and present it by educating and guiding. Come up with and share ideas that support the achievement of these goals. 

Ask questions and listen. The best way to approach all of what I have suggested above is to start by asking questions and actively, truly listening. Get deeply curious about what matters to the other person, such as their goals and perceived obstacles. Summarize to make sure you’ve understood. When you get new information, listen very carefully to hear how it relates to what you already know and what it says about the person who is speaking. 

Building your reputation as a strategic business partner takes time. If you start behaving in these ways, you’ll begin to be seen as a high potential asset to the business or organization. Is it worth the effort to face the truth about how you are perceived and make some new habits? You decide. 

–Andrea Zintz, Career Coach