Although there are many entry and mid-level positions in the world of business, there is no shame in aiming high and wanting to propel your career to the next level. Here are five easy tips to keep in mind that will ensure every chance of success.
Take a formal business education
Get a head’s start by enrolling on a business degree course, such as an MBA. By taking a degree in business, you’ll ensure that you have a strong CV, and will learn about the priorities and inner workings of the business world, such as how to produce revenue and attract investment. Business degree courses also focus on topics such as communication, marketing, data analysis, finance, consumer behaviour, profitability and sales techniques, and will offer opportunities for internship and work experience to utilize learned skills. You don’t have to give up your job to pursue a business education – Hult International Business School for example offers part-time MBA courses – a great option for entrepreneurs with their own start-ups who need a degree of flexibility with their learning due to constraints on their time.
Communicate effectively
Good communication with fellow co-workers is essential, regardless of your position within a business. Be an active listener, consider what you are going to say and how you are going to say it before you speak, and use positive language. Assess various different communication styles and know when to use the correct one when speaking to different co-workers, customers and clients. Become the go-to person for effectively communicating and then getting things done. If you earn a reputation for being highly responsive and communicative, this will be valued by your employer, and you will be getting that job promotion sooner than you think.
Maintain your contacts (especially with clients)
Sustaining and continually building on your business network is a great way to expand the number of opportunities open to you in terms of career progression. Attend networking events and build up your contacts book as much as possible, especially if you are thinking of starting your own business. If you have your own business, keep in touch with your clients, as these are crucial to generate more revenue and overall growth. Ask them to provide feedback after they have purchased your goods or services, and build on customer experience based on their answers. Keeping in touch with your clients and increasing your contacts overall will also lead to word of mouth spreading about your business.
Manage your time well
If you continuously feel like there isn’t enough time in the day for you to complete your work, you are not managing your time well enough. Examine how you manage your time by recording how long you spend on each project or task per day, along with why you are doing it and whether the allotted time spent on the task is actually worth spending. Consider which non-essential tasks can be assigned to another person to free up your time, or stopped altogether. If you are seeking to progress in your career, your employer will want reassurance that you are in control of your time and are not overwhelmed or drowning in work.
Demonstrate persistence
In order to succeed, you need patience and persistence in spades. Remember that you are only human – there will be days when you may be stressed or tired, and in certain situations, you may make mistakes. The important thing is rising after falling and learning from the lows as much as the highs. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, and remain determined in your ambitions to climb up the career ladder. Persistence and perseverance are two personality traits that are frequently rewarded.
