Sometimes we have worked long and hard at a job for a number of years, and even though we are in line for the next big promotion we just haven’t acquired the business management skills necessary for the job. Since there are a number of ways to conveniently learn those skills without the necessity of attending a four year university, there is no reason to let those advancements keep passing you by. Online courses are available which are widely accepted, many of which come with certifications and/or degrees which open a whole new world of possibilities.
Business Management Skills Necessary for Advancement
A manager should know every aspect of the day-to-day operations of their company, which is something that really can’t be taught at any school, no matter how prestigious. Therefore, finding an online study course would allow the student to keep developing on-the-job skills while learning some skills such as planning, organization, leadership, coordination and control. Other skills necessary to business management are interpersonal communication, working knowledge of computers and search engine optimization, according to linksmanagement service, for instance. Nothing happens in the 21st century without the help of computer technology.
Business Management Skills on the Job
Some BM skills are better acquired on-the-job while simultaneously studying the academics. A good manager knows the strengths and weaknesses of his/her company, and learning how to improve on strengths or correct weaknesses can be better accomplished with input from advisors and professors. Even online courses have advisors which are available to assist students with ‘real life applications of the subject matter being taught. The major benefit is that professional guidance is but a phone call or email away, and this can help stave off potential missteps.
Time and Money Management Skills
As a manager it is imperative to have a solid foundation in time and money management. Learning to ‘run the ship with cost- and time-effective strategies will save money for the company and streamline operations so that future growth is possible. Employees will use their time more effectively as well, which is why it is critical to learn these skills so they can be taught to others. There are strategies which have been developed to make these tasks easier to manage, and a good BM school will focus on teaching them.
Learning Business Management Skills Online
There are a number of online business schools which provide distance education on an individual basis while also providing workshops for groups of managers and team leaders. Many companies find that providing this training for their management improves both the bottom line as well as the ‘people skills which are so vital to leadership positions. While larger corporations sometimes hire instructors to come in to conduct these seminars, small-to mid-sized organizations often find that it is more cost effective to provide distance learning for management teams.
Whether you are already in a managerial role or are seeking to further advance your career, improving your skills can be invaluable. If training isn’t provided by your place of employment, perhaps a word in the right ear would help defer the cost of taking the classes. In fact, as mentioned, your boss might even register the entire leadership team for courses, to accomplish a total overhaul of business operations. Business management skills are in high demand and the person who can demonstrate them will certainly be more successful in today’s job market.
The Top 5 Business Management Tips
Even those who have an MBA in Business Management can benefit from keeping in touch with words of encouragement and advice from others. This is even more important for those who worked their way up the corporate ladder and are trying to find their way around a newly-acquired position of authority. Following is a list of tips that can help you hit the ground running.
1. Project a Professional Image
Before a manager can expect his employees to act in a professional manner, it is imperative to work on his or her own image. Whether answering the telephone or meeting face to face with others, speak in a warm but professional manner. Watch not only what is being said, but how it is said. Dress appropriately,and always make sure to be well-groomed. This is even more important if the company has a dress code. Managers might not be regulated by the same rules as those under him/her, but following the rules is of utmost importance in projecting a professional image.
2. Project a Trustworthy Image
The next tip is to always project a trustworthy image. It is not what you promise that counts, but how you follow through on those promises. If a manager promises a client delivery of a service or product on a certain date, then it is of vital importance to move heaven and earth to make that happen. Both clients and employees need to be able to trust. Employees will not give a job their best if they can’t trust in management to reward and respect their efforts, and clients will certainly take their business elsewhere if they lose trust in a company.
3. Open the Lines of Communication
In all dealings with clients and employees alike, it is essential to maintain open lines of communication. Clients need to know that you are addressing their concerns, and employees need to know that they are valued as individuals with intrinsic worth. Whether there is a problem to be resolved or a personal matter to discuss, keeping the lines of communication open provides a vehicle to understanding what it takes to keep business running smoothly. Learning the art of communication is one of the most important of all management tips.
4. Plan for Contingencies
Even the best laid plans go awry. We have heard that time and time again, but somehow we always fail to internalize this essential tip. An effective manager knows that Murphys Law can strike at any time, and when something can go wrong and does go wrong, there needs to be a plan B, and a plan C, and even a plan D if needed. Smooth business operations often depend on having contingency plans in effect, which means that management needs to think proactively and plan accordingly.
5. Motivation vs. Domination
Motivating personnel is so much more effective than dominating them in the long run. Of all the possible permutations of tips, this may be one of the most elusive. An effective manager learns to draw out the best from his/her employees, rather than demanding it. Human nature rebels at the thought of being forced to do anything. Most of us are only too happy to please our bosses, if we have the proper motivation, but we will also be the first to go AWOL if we feel we are serving a tyrant.
There are a number of other useful business management tips that can make a good manager a great leader. Learn from the trials and tribulations of others, because effective management is a combination of academics and real-life application. Then, take your victories and failures and share them with others, so that they can learn from your experiences, good and bad.
