What is Business IQ?

The worldly success of corporations is not simply measurable through quantitative trends in the free market, but through the way they bring together a complex set of intelligences

- Saikat Majumdar

IS there such a thing as 'business intelligence'?

The theory of a single intelligence, easily measurable through IQ tests, is no longer seen as relevant. The small range of aptitudes, usually some combination of verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills that make up most standardised tests such as the GMAT, LSAT, GRE, SAT, etc., are now starting to fall out of favour with institutions; several US institutions have already eliminated the GRE as an entrance requirement for admission to their graduate schools.

The insight that has contributed the most to the displacement of limited models of IQ is the theory of multiple intelligences by the

Success Mantra

A productive relationship between multiple sets of intelligences is crucial in the higher echelons of business and leadership educational psychologist Howard Gardner, who pointed to a whole range of ‘intelligences’—linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, spatial, personal, spiritual, existential, and moral.

Human potential is far larger than what is measurable through limited intelligence tests. Indeed, throughout the ages—and around the globe—human society has idealised different qualities in individuals. The ancient Greeks valued physical agility, rational judgment, and virtuous behaviour. Romans prized the virtue of masculine courage. Islam cherished the holy soldier. And traditional Chinese society, influenced by the philosophy of Confucius, came to value the person skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and drawing.