As an entrepreneur, you already have a solid base of skills, such as creative thinking, self-starting, and the talent required to pursue your goals. But, like most entrepreneurs, you’re likely on the hunt for how you can continue to grow.
As 2018 starts to come to a close, it’s time to look at the skills you’ll need to continue to thrive in today’s increasingly digital ecosystem. Here are four skills to hone in 2019.
1. Emotional Intelligence
There’s one thing the digital world can’t replace yet and that’s emotional intelligence. Understanding the way people react, feel, and think is a key trait that will never go out of style.
Forget the regurgitated elevator pitch told over and over again at a speed networking event. Entrepreneurs will need to have better listening skills and the ability to change their messaging on a dime.
Solid communication — the kind that earns deals, clients, and contracts — requires customers to know the person they’re talking to. Creativity, logic, and empathy are core traits that must be put to use when networking. By thinking critically to who you’re talking to, you can stand out from the crowd of competitors who aren’t adapting their message for their audience.
2. People Management
Regardless of how many tasks get reallocated to artificial intelligence, you’ll still need people running your business. Knowing how to work with these people and keep them motivated through the ups and downs is critical. If your employees aren’t happy with their job, your culture, company, and customers suffer. By understanding how to manage people, you’ll be able to keep your team motivated through the thick and thin.
3. Solving Complex Problems With Data
The digital world we live in has afforded entrepreneurs more data and insights than ever before. There’s just one problem. With all this data comes the need for better problem solving.
Although it’s unreasonable to think that entrepreneurs will become data scientists overnight, it is crucial that business owners understand the basics when it comes to mining and modeling data sets, clean data collection, and analyzing data for insights. The more you understand how to use what’s at your disposal, the better you can solve complex issues with minimal risk.
4. Personal Branding
The digital ecosystem has made it easier than ever for people to find you, your company, and your personal brand. As an entrepreneur, you have a spotlight on your face whether you like it or not. Knowing how to shape that spotlight to shine the light you want it to is crucial when you’re trying to stand out from the competition and give people a reason to go with your business.
Remember, people do business with people. The more you can stand apart using your personality and personal brand, the more leverage you will have to grow.
Time to Skill Up?
These aren’t all skills that you can learn but they are all skills you can practice and hone over time. By being cognizant of them, you can grow yourself, your brand, and your business.
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