HR Coffee Time 165 | What Being “Commercial” Really Means & How to Get Better at It (with Jo Bailey)
Feb 27, 2026
34:46
Struggling to feel confident when Finance conversations come up at work? Been told you need to be "more commercial" but not sure what that actually means? In this practical episode, Commercial HR Coach Jo Bailey demystifies what it means to be commercial in HR and shares actionable advice to help you speak the language of business with confidence.
You’ll Learn
- What "being commercial" actually means (and what it doesn't)
- Key financial terms explained: P&L, EBITDA, balance sheet, and cash flow
- How to approach setting an HR budget with confidence
- Questions to ask when building a strong business case
- How to position budget requests so you're more likely to get what you need
- Real examples of how to demonstrate commercial thinking in your HR role
- The cost of attrition and how to build the business case for retention initiatives
Useful Links From This Episode:
- Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
- Learn about Fay’s Essential HR Planner
- Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
- Connect with Jo Bailey on LinkedIn
- Visit Jo Bailey’s Website: Financial Empowerment
Recommended Book in This Episode
Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes:
- Ep 147: How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights (with Kanika Mehra) - has a great explanation of storytelling with data
- Ep 115: Why Negotiation Skills Can Help Your Career & How to Develop Them (with Simon Duncan)
- Ep 158: 3 Simple Ways to Build Business Acumen in Your HR Role
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