Formal education is not enough if you want to have a successful business career these days. We witness dramatic changes in the business world. Modern technologies force both experienced workers and their rookie colleagues to expand their knowledge. Also, new countries, like the BRIC group, are making some bold moves on the business map of the world. Those who want to stay in the game need to be flexible and acquire as many following business skills as possible.
Proactive Approach to Work
Employees who learn how to anticipate their own reactions, as well as their employer’s moves will have better chances to succeed. Being proactive means getting to know your own skills, abilities and goals. These are the three aspects of your work personality that will shape you career. Once you realize that you do not have any motivation to reach the goals expected from you at your current position, you should change the job. By preventing yourself from falling into despair, you remain a successful and productive worker in a new context.
Openness to New Cultures
Multiculturalism is one of the buzzwords of this century. Now hundreds of cultures and languages are in contact. Overcoming prejudice and learning more about those new cultures is a must for every ambitious businessperson. A large number of IT companies from the West hire outsourcers from ex-Soviet republics and Asian countries. To be able to work in a relaxed and productive way, they have to learn more about their cultures and customs. Learn more about multicultural competence from a study by Professor Richard B. Stuart.
Communicative Competence in Business
This is the age of political correctness. No matter whether you like it or not, today we have to be careful how we formulate our thoughts. This quality is even more appreciated in the business world, where agreements worth millions of dollars can be ruined with only one little gesture. Modern employees and workers in general must learn how to express their thoughts in a neutral way. Also, messages related to business have to be concise and relevant. If your communicative competence is on a high level, your career will be more successful. These tips from Inc.com might help you master some interesting communication skills.
Efficient Work Distribution
No matter if you are a manager, a team leader or an ordinary employee, you will have to be able to distribute work and divide it into smaller units. It will also include forming teams of employees or making your own work schedules. The end results and the time needed for performing your tasks will largely depend on your ability to distribute the work assigned to you in an efficient way. While some people have a strong sense of self-discipline, others will need to either work on their work routine or improve their organizational skills through leadership training courses.
Readiness to Learn
On top of it all, today you have to possess determination to learn all the time. Modern tech tools, such as smartphone apps, allow you organize your learning time, so that every moment of your day is productive. For instance, you can read and learn when you are riding to work or waiting in line. Now that you have a chance to carry thousands of books in your pocket, use that opportunity. Such readiness to learn will get you a better position and it will improve your life in general.
Competition is fierce out there in the corporative world. The rate race is merciless and it takes its toll. However, you do not have to be a brainless, hard-working cog in that machine. What you should do is develop soft business skills, to be able to get to the front of the pack and become a true master of business management.
