For some people, professional development is a desirable goal. For others, it’s a requirement. Truth be told, enhancing and updating your skills is something that everyone—no matter your job or your industry—can and should do.
Why? Developing your professional knowledge
Helps you do your job better
Increases your odds of earning a promotion
Provides you with a better understanding of the business as a whole and how your part fits into, compliments, and affects it
Changes how you look at your job and those around you
While your first thoughts may be to find a marketing-specific seminar, workshop, or conference on software, strategies, or business practices used by your industry, don’t feel like you have to keep yourself boxed in to move forward. Less obvious but more-general areas of study, including those below, could be equally beneficial:
Workplace conflict management and resolution—If you’ve ever worked in a setting that was drama-free, we envy you. Most offices experience misunderstandings and mismatched personalities at least once in a while, and their mere presence often creates stress and tension across the board. Learning how to understand another person’s point of view and find ways to come up with solutions that benefit everyone is a skill we think everyone should have.
Time management tips—Even those of us who think we make the most of our time could probably use a few pointers for learning how to stay on task, prioritize, and work more efficiently.
Mastering change in the workplace—This one is particularly important for businesses changing ownership, moving, or downsizing. A client of ours once distributed copies of the book, “Who Moved My Cheese” among its employees when the long-time owners sold the business. While it seemed silly, the move actually put many people at ease. Because most people are resistant to change, learning how to cope with it and helping others see the positives of change would be time well spent.
As our old friend Dr. Seuss once said, ““The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
Happy traveling.