Climbing The Ladder: Improve Your Business Acumen And Leverage Social Media

  PM Network  

Question: I’ve been a Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification holder for a number of years. However, I want to ensure my career-development plans include additional business skills useful in a senior role. What should I be focusing on?

Answer: Your current experience, skills and certification in project management have provided a solid foundation for your career so far. To take it to the next level, you need to consider the wider business environment in which you operate.

Business management, commercial awareness, financial management, organizational strategy and business change are just some of the business areas that directly relate to project managers. Widening the focus to include organizational and human resources management, marketing, operations, and leadership will give you a wellrounded skill set. That, in turn, boosts your chances for moving up the career ladder.

All this may sound like the blueprint for a master’s degree in business administration, but your development doesn’t have to take such a formal (and expensive) route. The key to building additional business skills is choosing the learning that best suits you and your industry. Here are some ways to get started:

• Engage your manager and explain your objectives.
• Identify target areas in which you’re looking to increase your knowledge.
• …

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