Soft skills like communication, leadership, and conflict resolution, are all critical in an office environment. However, they are not the only important skills a candidate will need to succeed. Having the following practical and technical skills will be invaluable to any employee and highly valued by a prospective employer.
Be an all-rounder with Microsoft Office skills
These programs are likely to be found in any office environment you find yourself in, so having an idea of how to use them will put you one step ahead of the game. The software includes programs like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, and several others. Each program specialises in helping office environments to succeed with ease. From document creation, presentations, note-taking, email, and much more, these programs have been created to assist people and businesses achieve and thrive.
There are many courses offered online that you can take to gain a greater understanding of these programs and how to use them. Given the frequent utilisation of Microsoft Office, training with this software will be extremely appealing to anyone running an office. Ensure you have completed the Microsoft training, and find excellent training videos on Youtube.
Increase your understanding of key data
Today, all business decisions are driven by data. From the client database, marketing, product or service success rate, day-to-day operation, key financial information, and more, data is everywhere. Being able to dissect this information and turn it into meaningful information will make you a desirable employee. Data in a basic, understandable format will give the company you work for the ability to make insightful and important business decisions. If you can provide your boss with the information they need, you become an invaluable member of the team.
Email etiquette
Having good face-to-face skills is one thing; being able to convey the same message via the internet is another. Although it is difficult to set the tone of a conversation when it is in writing, there are several clear do’s and don’ts to follow when you are constructing business communications.
Do:
- Have a clear and short subject line
- Use a professional greeting, for example, “Hello” or “Dear”
- Use correct grammar and punctuation
- Check, re-check, and check again the name of your recipient is correct
- Always proofread your message with more than a glance. A second read-through is always a good idea
Don’t:
- Use silly fonts or colours
- Write private or confidential information where it should not be
- Reply to an email out of anger or frustration, wait for the dust to settle
- Use email if a phone call would be faster and more appropriate
- Forget your signature at the end of the email
Social Media programs
People have been saying it for years, and it has never been so true; social media is important for businesses. These days it’s not good enough to understand how to upload a picture to Instagram, send or tweet, or make a Facebook post. What matters now is the ability to collect responses from your posts and decipher them. For example what is their reach, who is engaging and why, at what times, etc. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter all have insights that allow you to see how well your content does but the crucial skill is learning how to understand the information. Once you are skilled in deciphering the data, you will be able to advise on the direction your company should take their social media campaigning.
These skills are all attainable if you are willing to put in the effort and dedication to learn them.
Business owners and managers could upskill their staff by offering courses that will teach these skills. In return they will have staff who are capable, competent, and confident in themselves and the skills they have acquired. By doing this, you will have a more productive and efficient workplace.
If you select an online course or diploma for your staff, your workplace will be able to complete their course from home or during designated office time. Online courses enable valued staff members to complete their study without compromising their daily office tasks. Providing these tools for your staff will empower them to be productive, efficient, and take more initiative. They will feel confident enough in their skills to take charge before they are even asked.
Upskill to boost your business value
Taking a proactive approach, as either an employee or an employer, will benefit your office environment as it moves into the future. By providing yourself or your staff with the skills they need going forward, your workplace will adjust easily to the technological changes that present themselves. Skills like understanding Microsoft Office, data, social media programs, and the correct way to form an email, will prove invaluable to any business.
The office environment of the past is rapidly changing. If you as an individual or a business don’t want to be left behind, the best thing you can do is upskill. Focus on the tools and skills that are emerging in the workplace and make sure that you or your staff are equipped to meet those changes. Transitions can be difficult. By creating and supportive and nurturing environment, your office will emerge into this new phase fully prepared and ready to succeed.