10 MOST CRITICAL JOB SKILLS FOR 2013
ONE MORE TIME! Just one more time I want everyone who is within reading distance to be completely clear on my on-going position on the state of the economy.
I believe, as I have for nearly five years now that… THIS IS THE GREATEST TIME IN HISTORY TO BE IN BUSINESS!
I am a business coach and every day I work with many wonderful men and women who want something better and who are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Yet, sometimes my best advice for them is to simply ignore the press and the talking heads on television news, all the naysayers spewing negative thinking and perceptions. It is a discipline to keep your head in the right place and your attitude on success focused.
There are many foundational business issues and solutions that I will discuss with business coaching clients. Foundational is the driving thought. Many people flit from one “silver bullet solution” to another, yet never shore up the foundational elements that must be in place before any silver bullet can ever work. For me, it’s always back to the basics. When we sit down to review what is causing issues within someone’s business or professional life it is almost always a situation where they have moved away from the foundational skills that they must nurture and possess at all times.
This is particularly true in a world where there is so much attention and emphasis on the acquisition and use of new technology perceived as necessary to do your job. Rich Milgram, CEO of career network BEYOND said in a recent Forbes article, “Learning a technology is the easy part. Having the mindset to apply it, having the mindset and logic to process it, being thorough and detail-oriented while doing so, these are the critical skills.”
Also from that article, FORBES lists the 10 most critical job skills that many believe you’ll need for critical success in building a business or acquiring a new or better job in the most in-demand markets in 2013..And note that only a couple deal directly with technology. It’s all about the practical skills.
No. 1 Critical Thinking (found in 9 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
No. 2 Complex Problem Solving (found in 9 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
No. 3 Judgment and Decision-Making (found in 9 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs)To take the time to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate ones.
No. 4 Active Listening (found in 9 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting.
No. 5 Computers and Electronics (found in 8 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, electronic equipment and computer hardware including applications and programs.
No. 6 Mathematics (found in 6 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) A working knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics and their application.
No. 7 Operations and Systems Analysis (found in 5 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs)
Determining how a system or operation should work and how changes in conditions, operations and environments will affect outcomes, that is understanding the needs and product requirements of a particular design.
No. 8 Monitoring (found in 5 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) Monitoring and assessing performance of yourself, other individuals or organizations to make improvement or take corrective action.
No. 9 Programming (found in 3 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) Writing computer programming for various purposes.
No. 10 Sales and Marketing (found in 2 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs) The knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques and sales control systems.
Start with and stay with the basics. You can never go wrong. If you need some help be sure to call or write me. This is what I do and I’m ready to help. I’m open for business! Until then, as always,
BE GREAT!
Coach Dan