Many people in administration or finance roles reach a point where they are looking for more from their career. For example, you may aspire to run your own business or manage someone else’s. Business management skills are essential to success in most professions and industries.
Why career change to business management?
Benefits and motivation for progressing from office administration or finance into business management include:
- Challenge. Added responsibility offers challenges and variety in your position, making work more engaging and enjoyable.
- Increased salary. Management positions offer better salary opportunities in most industries.
- Job satisfaction. When you are challenged, engaged and well-paid, you are more likely to be satisfied and content in your career.
- Career advancement. Business management gives scope for career opportunities and transferable skill sets within any organisation.
How to make the transition to business management
1. Networking
Everyone you meet is part of a potential business network. Therefore, networking can have unlimited benefits for your career. Attend networking events run by local councils or organisations like Rotary to establish an avenue to build business relationships. For women, there are excellent female networking organisations like Business Chicks which run regular networking events.
Through networking, volunteering or friendship groups, you may find a business mentor to bounce ideas off, discuss management issues, or help guide your career in the right direction. You might have more than one mentor, as different people have different experiences and opinions to offer.
2. Business books and podcasts
Read relevant business books and search online for podcasts that are relevant to the type of management skills you need.
Listen to experienced business people tell their stories of what worked or failed for them in business. Use tips from their business management journey to help you transition successfully to management. Every failure in business is an opportunity to learn, so make sure you listen to those who will communicate their ups and downs in business. For example, Mark Bouris ‘Mentored’ series and Janine Ellis ‘Superwomen we ain’t” (iTunes) are two very experienced and successful business people who have informative free podcasts.
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3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn has become an effective, professional way to follow companies and people in your industry. Job opportunities are often advertised through LinkedIn first and recruiters now actively approach potential candidates through search criteria.
Top LinkedIn tips:
- Keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date with relevant keywords
- Display a professional-looking profile photo – a head and shoulders shot is best
- Update your profile URL to contain just your name and remove random letters and numbers
- Take advantage of the daily business news on LinkedIn and make regular comments
- Join relevant groups in management or industry areas, then follow and participate in online discussions
- Connect with people you know or have met by sending them a connection request with a note explaining how you know them and/or why you’d like to connect
4. Volunteering
An effective way to develop skills and network while you transition to management is volunteering outside of work at your local kindergarten, school, community centre, or sporting club. Joining a committee or managing a sporting team can help develop the people and management skills required in a new management role. Meeting and working with people in this volunteer capacity will also help improve your communication skills. Include key volunteer roles on your CV and LinkedIn profile as relevant experience.
5. Upgrade qualifications
An important way to transition to business management is to undertake a qualification in business management, such as an online Diploma of Leadership & Management (BSB50420) or a Diploma of Business (Leadership) (BSB50120). Both courses are relevant and beneficial for transitioning into a management career or running a business.
These qualifications also provide skills to help you:
- Ground yourself in emotional intelligence
- Ensure effective workplace relationships
- Learn how to lead and manage teams
- Recruit new staff members
- Manage performance and employee relations
If you have limited experience in business and management, this would be a beneficial way to gain the necessary training and skills to fast-track your management career. Act now, and you will be one step closer to your dream management job and a more fulfilling career.
The entire BSB training package has undergone a review and overhaul from PWC and AISC. In October 2020, the new Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) course was announced, superseding and expanding on the older Diploma of Business Administration (BSB50415). The Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) focuses on the operations of a business, particularly key transferable skills in business administration, finance and communication, to create a more holistic and future-focused business qualification. Learn more about the Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) here.
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