If you’re thinking of progressing into a career as a business manager, then take a look below for some advice on what skills and assets you will need. From education to leadership skills, keep reading to find out more.
As a business manager, you need to have great leadership skills. If you have never been in charge of a team before, it can sometimes be daunting having to learn some of the skills necessary to lead a team of people. However, there are many ways you can help to make sure you’re ready to be responsible for management. Work on building your confidence and communication skills, as they will be essential when managing your team. You might also have to head meetings, so you will need to feel comfortable with speaking in front of others and pitching ideas. Learning how to delegate tasks fairly among a team will help to make sure the business runs smoothly, targets are met, and colleagues are happy with their work.
To help you prepare to become a manager, it could be worth considering investing in some further education to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership offers a business sustainability management course that can help you prepare for a new role and help you get noticed by employers. It will also give you invaluable insight into how you can be an asset to the company you work for as well as your future career.
To be a good business manager, you need to listen to others. Sometimes it can be tempting to focus on your ability to be confident and a leader, but you also need to know when to allow input and guidance from others. Allowing your team to give you feedback on the business, projects, and your own input will allow you to grow and learn as a manager. Make sure you have regular meetings with your team to give them the opportunity to have their say on campaigns, performance, and business practices.
As the business manager, you will quickly learn that good communication is key to a well-functioning business. Failure to communicate effectively can lead to mistakes being made and issues arising, such as dissatisfied customers. It can also affect the morale of the team you’re leading. For example, poor communication can lead to workloads becoming more stressful and colleagues feeling stressed and unhappy with their roles.
When you’re in charge of a team, it is helpful to make an effort to get to know them well. This can help you build a positive working relationship and make everyone more comfortable working together. Nobody wants a manager that they find intimidating as it can make for an uncomfortable work environment. As a manager, you will need to learn how to balance respect with making your team feel like you’re approachable and easy to talk to.
