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6 Skills All Business People Need

Leadership & Management

Certain skills are indispensable as a business person. To impress your superiors, collaborate with peers, and win over clients, you must constantly work at specific traits and attain new abilities. Review the following six skills that are vital for all business people.

1. Communication
No one can do business in a vacuum. Successful business comes down to strong relationships, which stand on effective communication. As a business person, you have to learn how to present ideas in a palatable way and demonstrate you know how to solve problems.

Of course, the end goal of all communication as a business person is making a sale or forging a partnership, which aligns your needs with the other party's. Doing that can be challenging when you're under stress or tensions rise. A negotiations training program can help you refine your communications skills and learn how to make deals that are a win-win for everyone.

2. Time Management
Everyone has the same 168 hours a week and needs time for rest. Successful business people don't outperform the competition by outworking everyone else. They win by making the best use of their time.

Find systems and processes that allow you to work more efficiently with less stress. You should also seek out tools and programs that automate routine tasks so you can put your mind and energy toward the most vital issues.

3. Marketing Skills
When people typically handled commerce as the inhabitants of a single town, the only thing a proprietor needed was a quality product or service. Word of mouth was enough to build a profitable establishment. In the modern era, consumers have someone trying to bend their ears at every moment. You need marketing that can grab attention and engage your ideal audience.

When you can present yourself as an expert that helps purchasers make a buying decision, you'll build a funnel that leads the right people to your door. Even as a professional within an organization, you should learn to market yourself. Create a personal brand that makes you a valuable asset to your ideal employer and permits job mobility.

4. Delegation
As you advance and take on more responsibility, you must trust those under you. Becoming a mentor and teacher is the highest calling, as you can enable others to change their lives by gaining priceless skills themselves.

Share assignments gradually with subordinates and review how well they do with them. Remain empathetic and a good listener. Allow room for mistakes and help them to grow to their full potential. You'll create more time for yourself and become more efficient.

5. Networking Capabilities
Your ability to communicate is no good if you don't go out and use it to build connections with others. Working with others in your industry or complementary fields can lay the groundwork for fruitful partnerships.

Learn where influential individuals fraternize and join those groups or attend those locations. Don't stop networking just because your business or job position seems secure. When the economy shifts or new opportunities arise, you never know who you'll want to have in your corner. Look for people of strong character and clear principles to stay in contact with.

6. Leadership
The only way to advance in business is to become a leader people want to get behind. Authentic leadership involves more than a strong personality and commitment to ideals. Top leaders inspire others, think critically, and welcome feedback. Find a way to keep a positive attitude and learn how to remain open to new ideas.

Professional success is a continual process that requires consistently acquiring and applying new skills. Learn these six essential skills and seek out more to enhance your business acumen.

If you have comments or feedback about any article, please email your thoughts to info@acp-advisornet.org.

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