Photo courtesy of tarotastic

In my last post, I mentioned that there are skills an individual can develop that are essential to running a business that you can learn while working in employment. These skills can dramatically help one improve their chances of getting a pay raise, increasing personal brand awareness, skill development and more. I thought I would include a list of those that I consider to be important to develop:

• Google Suite skills: The day when Microsoft ran the world are coming to an end. I'm seeing more businesses turn to using the Google product suite to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Learning to setup Google Apps for your own website, as well as learning to manage documents, your calendar, email and more through Google Apps will help give you an advantage over your competition and co-workers in almost any small business position (particularly those in the tech space).
• Communication skills: These are the things you know well. Running accounts on twitter, facebook and LinkedIn with a professional appearance and clear communication skills will help give you benefits. Having strong networks is a must for those wanting to succeed in all aspects of life.
• Web skills: If your business is not online then chances are you won't be in business long. Developing brand you requires buying a domain name, learning to setup a blog and being able to keep it up to date with content that will benefit your professional portfolio. You don't need to know how to program code, but learning to write, manage content using a Content Management System (CMS) and learning the ins and outs of online asset management is valuable.
• Personal presentation: If you don't believe that a suit is still the best way to present yourself in almost every situation, simply try going to the pub two nights in a row (the first in normal clothes, the second in a suit). You will be amazed at the difference in the respect you command. Going that extra 10% with cuff links, pocket squares, ties, scarves, a quality wristwatch and great shoes will dramatically improve your success. For meetings, include a nice compendium and a quality pen will appear more professional then a Bic pen and a normal notepad.
• Promotional material: One thing social networking has taught me is that relationships are formed offline, while online supports them. Developing business cards, cover letters, resumes, etc. for your personal brand (linking back to your online activity of course) will assist you in tightening up the loose ends within your network... and with getting new and exciting positions.
• Education: Knowledge is essential to improving your odds. Statistics prove that the higher your education the higher your income. Stay at school as long as you can. Also, read as many books as possible. If you aren't doing this, your losing to someone who is.
• Work to learn: If you are in the early stages of your career, you should be working to learn vs working for money. I spent nearly two years managing a startup on really low pay to gain experiences, which will serve me the rest of my life. During the same time, my friends at uni were stacking shelves and killing brain cells. Now I earn more than them and have heaps of offers for positions post-study. It pays to sacrifice while you are young.
• Save: I surveyed my friends in my entrepreneurship degree (all Gen-Y individuals) and the decision is final: you can't rely on superannuation or others to fund your retirement. Instead of contributing to super, my friends and myself are building cash reserves that will allow us to capitalise on business and investing opportunities when the time comes. Developing the habit of saving is a crucial skill to develop as it helps you build a safety buffer in the event you become unemployed. It also teaches you to live on less, rather than buying everything you can.
• Mentors: Mentors can help provide connections, get you work and teach you knowledge it would take years to learn yourself. I have one main mentor that I catch up with monthly-quarterly, and then have areas specific mentors also. A mentor is good because they can provide advice but will also let you make mistakes if they feel they will help develop your character. Get one ASAP.
• Social: Learning to live life outdoors is important. Getting out to meet new people will help broaden your experiences and knowledge. As work takes up a lot of time, this is even more important to ensure you don't end up with 'tunnel vision'. Go out, try new things, meet people and have fun.

What other skills have you learned while working for someone that you have found to be valuable in business?