Commercial drive course
This course explains the importance of having commercial drive. It will help you to develop this key behaviour to achieve positive outcomes in your role
Core behaviours
Commercial drive
Using a commercial mindset, demonstrating drive and personal responsibility to create value
Commercial drive is about applying a business and customer-focused approach, and demonstrating the commitment to deliver results that create value for organisations.
As people professionals, we have a responsibility to ensure we focus on the things that create the most value for people and business. This means identifying and delivering on the people issues, opportunities and risks that will have the most impact on the performance and success of organisations. It also means partnering with customers, understanding the financial implications of work, proving the business case for change, and taking responsibility to deliver it.
We also have a personal responsibility for our own self-care, to help us stay motivated and resilient in the delivery of our work.
This behaviour particularly supports the Core knowledge areas of Business acumen and Change.
Play Video
Commercial drive standards
Each standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?
Foundation level
At this level you will:
- Show a keen interest in your organisation and its performance
- Demonstrate that you are customer-focused in your work
- Demonstrate that you are cost-conscious in your work
- Identify the steps to achieve agreed goals and demonstrate drive to deliver to a high standard
- Maintain motivation and resilience through self-care and know when to ask for help
Associate level
At this level you will:
- Identify and focus your attention on people issues that impact on business performance
- Engage with customers to understand their needs and improve their experiences
- Carefully consider the financial and operational implications of your choices
- Take responsibility to provide pragmatic and timely advice and deliver solutions that meet business needs
- Maintain motivation and resilience through self-care and personal responsibility
Chartered Member level
At this level you will:
- Prioritise people practices, opportunities and risks that drive sustained commercial success and value for people
- Partner with customers to understand their current and future needs, and contract effectively
- Develop and present robust business cases using evidence to demonstrate a return on investment
- Take responsibility and demonstrate commitment to deliver business outcomes and benefits
- Demonstrate motivation and resilience through self-care and personal responsibility
Chartered Fellow level
At this level you will:
- Focus on driving value through the alignment of people strategy with commercial strategies
- Create a culture that prioritises the understanding of customer needs to enhance customer value
- Evidence the strategic value of investment in people to a wide range of stakeholders
- Take responsibility for the creation of shared value through people strategy
- Model motivation and resilience and create a culture of self-care and personal responsibility
Take the course
Resources to guide your work, career planning and development, available on the CIPD's main site.
Next: Passion for learning
Demonstrating curiosity and making the most of opportunities to learn, improve and innovate