It’s important that you never stop learning if you want improved career progression. From entrepreneurs running their own company to office workers struggling to get that next promotion, the development of the right business skills is essential. Of course, it can be challenging finding the right resources, let alone the time it takes to commit to learning new things. However, it’s never been easier to get access to the right information, and no matter your goals there are options that you should make use of. Whether you need to brush up soft skills like people management, or hard skills like accounting, here are some of the best ways to develop your business skills no matter how frantic your existing workload.
Career Mentors
This can be a crucial part of your own development of business skills. That’s because opportunities are very often attached to people so, when it comes to matching a mentor and mentee, you’re going to make sure that your mentor will help you to get exactly where you want to get, without you having to compromise on your own dreams and ambitions. The right mentor will be able to provide you with advice and support when you need it most, and the best mentors will know how and when to deliver that help. There are many ways to ensure that you find the right mentor, but make sure that you know your own business goals first. Make sure that your mentor of choice is experienced in the areas that you’re interested in. Consider approaching higher-profile mentors, but remember that their own time may be limited. You might find a better mentor by looking at your own peers, or by using your LinkedIn connections.
Read More
We live in a time when content is created in bite-sized snacks that are quickly forgotten. A good book will always have more impact on your knowledge. That’s because writing and researching a full-sized book requires far more time and knowledge than writing a quick article. There is no end to the number of business-relevant books on the market, so you’re going to need to narrow down your options. You might choose to emulate your business idols, and many of them publicize their reading lists, so that’s a good place to start.
TED Talks
If you want to stay current, then TED Talks are a great way to keep up to date on modern business trends. Of course, not every TED Talk has value, so you may need to source the best speakers. However, being able to access the thoughts and first-hand experiences of those that have excelled in your career is a good way to learn more about your own next steps. There are many business strategy related TED Talks, and whether you’re an entrepreneur wanting to learn more about bootstrapping or someone feeling stuck in a rut in the workplace, there are some wonderful motivational speakers that can inspire you to new heights.
Formal Education
Of course, the most practical way of gaining real-world business skills is to undertake formal education. Business management degrees are going to give you a huge advantage in the workplace, and can have a huge impact on your rate of progression. If you think that you need to quit work and head off for three years of campus living, then you’re missing out on the online options. E-learning is hugely vital for the modern workforce, because it is now possible to get your MBA online even while working full-time. By structuring your learning around your own work and home commitments, you can learn at your own pace, improving your knowledge and gaining a formal qualification that proves you know your stuff.
Acting Classes
This one might seem a little out there, but for those who are open to stepping a little out of their comfort zone, improv classes can be very important. There is a lot that you can learn about business by learning some basic improvisation skills. Like the business world, improv revolves around fast reactions and adapting to new and unexpected situations. Not only that, but improv classes are one of the best ways for people to learn how to be better listeners. That’s one of the most important skills to develop in the workplace. Look around your local area and see what options are available. You might be surprised by how much you can learn that is directly related to career success.
Stay Current
One of the best ways to continue developing your business skills is to stay up to date with the latest industry news and trends. That’s because the business world continues to evolve at an incredibly rapid pace, and what works today might not be relevant tomorrow. Staying up to date has never been easier either. Start by setting up news alerts for your industry. This means that you will get a notification whenever something relevant to your career is posted online. By doing this, you get to have access to the latest thoughts, essays, and interviews that might transform the setup of your company culture.
Become a Public Speaker
One of the most valuable workplace skills you can develop is public speaking. You need to be able to communicate effectively with your boss or your employees, let alone your clients and investors. Consider how often presentations make up such a vast portion of the business day. Public speaking skills are very much a necessity. There are guides on how to become a better public speaker, but you might also consider joining public speaking clubs and communities. These are available anywhere in the world, so look at your local area and see what’s available. You could become the go-to speaker when it comes to important presentations, and that can only be good for your career.
Finding the time to develop vital business skills might seem like an impossible task. The fact is that many skills can be learned in your own time, especially if you go for more formal education options. Listening to podcasts on your commute or reading industry news every morning is actually very convenient, and could help you to add to your business skills toolbox far more effectively than you think.