Market ready skills a must for managers

When many people think of an MBA, they tend to presume that students are looking for a C-suite, executive-style position – and they are therefore looking for a qualification to help achieve their career goals. An MBA is no longer solely about becoming a CEO – people from across the globe are undertaking the degree in order to reinforce their business understanding in a variety of areas.

In undertaking an MBA, some students opt to study a specialized stream, which focuses on one particular area of interest or business discipline where they think they’ll excel, or where they believe the most value lies for their future career. For some students, this passion and drive is in the field of Marketing, and in a managerial role. Like all MBA degrees, students will gain key skills in leadership, management, operations, finance and human resources – but the marketing specialization allows students to explore the world of marketing and communications management in greater detail, and develop a stronger understanding of marketing’s role in business management.

Managers have to work with customers, manage sales associates, hit monthly store quotas and pitch in whenever something needs to get done. Employers often look for a blend of "diverse, transferable skills that are indicative of a versatile, well-rounded candidate who has a good understanding of the industry and is able to adapt as needed. There are multifarious skills which are to be taken in consideration when it comes to excellence in marketing. One such critical aspect is customer service is for everyone in marketing because it is all about making sure that the customer has an exceptional  experience every time, so this skill should be at the top of your list. Similarly, further mentioned are the skills that can help one grow immensely in the marketing sector.

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP

As a marketing manager, one has to supervise a team that may include inexperienced employees earning modest wages.  Therefore one must need to keep a track on ones leadership capabilities. A true leader has a clear vision of where they want the maintenance team to go and they set a positive example that encourages others to follow them. Delegating work to subordinates is an important function of management. Following up at regular intervals is also essential for a manager to ensure that the subordinates are working as per the plan and schedule.

INTERPERSONAL SKILL

One of the most important skills is the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Employers tend to promote employees with good interpersonal skills, as they can communicate effectively and maintain good relations with both colleagues and customers. Having excellent interpersonal skills will help you maximize the value of each interaction you have to everyone’s benefit. One of the best ways to develop your interpersonal skills is to practice active listening. Good interpersonal skills can be the foundation on which other life skills are built on. So they must be continuously improved and refined.

UPSELL SKILLS

Most market employees are responsible for sales. So sales skills are essential for the majority of applicants, whether you're going for an associate position or a management position. It is important to understand how to turn a browser into a buyer, and how to maximize sales by up selling customers with add-ons to their purchases. Not only do you need to motivate people to work, you must motivate people to sell also. A background in sales leadership is vital for the market managers. You may be asked to train sales associates and then improve their sales numbers over time.

PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Problem solving may seem like a straight forward skill to have, but it’s actually considered to be one of the most complex intellectual abilities. Today’s  managers need to be both skilled critical thinkers and problem solvers in order to manage the maintenance budget, supervise a team of technicians, prioritize work based on need, manage maintenance metrics and stay on top of the latest technologies.

Doing all of these things means processing lots of information quickly and making quick & effective decisions. To do this, the most skilled asset managers will look at all the evidence, interpret the data, evaluate all the alternatives, and consider their top priorities to come up with a solution or suggestion.

ABILITY TO DEVELOP PEOPLE

In any business, one of the biggest challenges is finding, developing and deploying the right talent in order to achieve business goals. Change is inevitable, so the team requires ongoing training and development to acquire new skills and take on bigger & more complex challenges. A manager works with subordinates to identify their areas for improvement and provide them with the training & development they need. Having the ability to develop people is an important skill for a manager to master, as it will create a culture of continuous learning and betterment.

TEAM SKILLS

Teamwork is viewed as the most efficient way to get things done in any organization. The results achieved by the entire team are greater than the sum of the results achieved by the individuals. Teamwork also often leads to better decisions, products or services. Look for team players who are reliable, respectful, cooperative, flexible and who show commitment to both the team and the task at hand.

TECHNICAL SKILL

Technical skill is proficiency in a specific activity that involves methods, processes, procedures or techniques. Individual performers expect their supervisor to be able to help them with technical problems. One should be well acquainted with the required technical skill set in order to come up with all sort of technical issues.

ADAPTIABLITY AND RESILIENCE

The world is changing fast. Markets evolve quickly; equipment and systems are getting more complex. Organizations must be adaptable to maintain a competitive advantage. The same is true for market managers. Change is unavoidable, so the ability to adapt to change is a fundamental skill for the managers to have.

The modern managers must have the ability to adapt quickly in response to changing circumstances and environments. They must be willing to embrace new ideas, new ways of working, and new technologies. Challenge the status quo, demonstrate openness to fresh ideas as there is no room for rigidity in practice.

Marketing is constantly changing. Market managers need to be flexible and mentally tough to deal with day-to-day variations. While the uncertainty of the industry can be exciting, it can also lead to burnout if you don’t have the chops to handle the ups and downs. It is a fast-moving and dynamic industry, and it takes a lot to stay on top of everything that’s going on. Successful market managers are organized, good planners and strong troubleshooters. And one should have the ability of multitasking.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

If stress is allowed to build up over time, it can consume you. As a manager, one must possess the ability to handle stress which may not be a skill so-called se but it can mean the difference between success and failure. When you control the controllable, you can reduce the chances of suffering from stress. Having the skill to control stress will keep you in good spirits and positively affect those around you.

For managers in any level, developing and refining these skills will help you get the most out of your team, help you gain greater respect from company executives and give you more opportunities for career advancement. Many of these skills intersect, so improving one will have a big impact on others. They will help you create a healthy work environment where the employees will look forward to coming to work and taking on more responsibility and exciting new challenges that will help in the achievements of goals and over all escalation of the organization.

The author is Executive Director IMS NOIDA, one of the leading Management Institutes in the country. He can be reached at director@imsnoida.com