To stay ahead and keep your business thriving in the new year, it is important to set new goals, chart a trajectory for growth, and integrate new technologies and best practices. The same can be said of business leaders. In order to maintain industry leader status, you need to stay ahead of the pack by constantly learning and mastering new skills.
Yet, continued learning takes time. It is essential that business leaders know the most efficient ways to incorporate professional education and new skills mastery into their busy schedules. Below, 14 members of Forbes Agency Council share their tips for engaging in continued professional learning in 2019.
1. Attend Events Specific To Your Industry
In looking back at 2018, we realized as an agency we were attending events relevant to our clients or events where we could attract new clients. Not once did we attend an event where we would be amongst other public relations professionals, having an opportunity to learn from our peers. Needless to say that’s changing in 2019! - Danielle Sabrina, Tribe Builder Media
2. Dive Into Digital Learning
We’re not a “get an education and then have a career” world anymore. The capacity for continuous learning, both for individuals and companies, will make the difference in success and failure. Personally, I am mastering a number of digital competencies to be a better leader in 2019. And for our team, we’ve introduced LinkedIn Learning and begun a knowledge base that is crowdsourced by our team. - Scott Baradell, Idea Grove
3. Get A Millennial Mentor
One of the best ideas I’ve heard all year is the concept of having a “millennial mentor”—a millennial who “mentors up” and offers their generational perspective on things to a Baby Boomer or Gen X boss. While I often reach out and ask for millennial opinions, I’d like to dig deeper in the new year and open myself up to some mentoring from a millennial. - Beth Noymer Levine, SmartMouth Communications
4. Get An Executive Coach
As a CEO, I’m not allowed to admit I don’t have all the answers, or that I still fear failure, the consequences of pushing past my perceived limits, or of doing too much or ceding control. So I hired an executive coach for the coming year—or perhaps forever. He doesn’t just open my eyes to what’s possible and to my blind spots, he coaches me on how to get the most from my team, multiplying the effect. - Jeff Lambert, Lambert & Co.
5. Don’t Forget Your Own Identity
My business has been the most rewarding classroom I’ve had the privilege of attending. I educate myself weekly on changing technologies and tools relevant to our clients. In the meantime, I’m obsessive about not losing my identity to any one thing. Not my husband. Not my business. Not my hobbies. I also plan to finish the accounting degree I paused during the company startup. - Evangeline Sutton, Regenerative Marketing LLC
6. Listen To More Audiobooks And Podcasts
I am big into audiobooks and podcasts. So listening to more content that is beyond my core skill set is a focus. Now, more than ever, strategies are becoming more of an interconnected web. Knowing how social, SEO, automation and so on are working together (and where they are not) helps build my own skills so I can apply more strategic approaches to my business as well our clients’. - Bernard May, National Positions
7. Read Books And Attend Conferences
I find that both books and conferences, as opposed to formal learning programs, tend to provide the greatest benefit. Of course, this means we have to determine how to apply the ideas to our business model and client opportunities. But this also allows us to gain first mover advantage, which in turn allows us to show leadership. - Randy Shattuck, The Shattuck Group
8. Take Advantage Of Expert Resources
I have been a member of Vistage (a CEO advisory group) for nearly three years now, and in 2019, my partners will become members as well. Aside from the support and camaraderie of being part of a group of others in the same boat as I am, the best part is the fact that expert speakers are brought in nine times a year to present to us. I have learned so much and am excited to keep the momentum going! - Danielle Wiley, Sway Group
9. Create A Mentor System
It’s important to create a mentor system within your network. Regularly checking in with former colleagues and asking for feedback provides an opportunity for you to stay on top of the work being done around the industry. As a leader you always have to push yourself to grow. The best way to learn is from others who have touched on similar businesses in your career. - Danny Fritz, SBX Group
10. Optimize Resources And Use What’s Free
Many companies offer tuition reimbursement today, especially with regard to career development. Whenever possible, seek opportunities at universities or via professional organizations that offer certifications to enhance your professional and practical knowledge. Free seminars, webinars and tutorials are also available on social media by simply searching keywords as well! - Scott Kellner, GPJ Experience Marketing
11. Develop Internal Education Programs
We value continued education. One of our favorite programs is called “lunch and learn.” During these sessions, we either bring in an outside speaker or have an office leader prepare a presentation on current industry trends. These meetings are fun to plan, serve as a great bonding experience for our staff and feature tasty local food! - Lisa Arledge Powell, MediaSource
12. Focus On Writing More
In 2019, I plan on launching a new book centered around digital marketing. In tandem with my other writing responsibilities, I expect to learn a ton of new ideas through the sheer amount of research I’ll be doing. Studies have also shown that most people are better at learning new ideas by writing them down. - Kristopher Jones, LSEO.com
13. Make More Time For Training
As a business owner, it seems nearly impossible to find time to dedicate toward self development. I’ve learned that you need to stop making excuses and start making time. I’m making more time to read books and listen to audiobooks when my hands are tied. Books are the key to learning new skills and learning from others’ life work. - Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS
14. Use Multiple Learning Strategies
As a pioneer in our industry, early on we took continuous learning for granted. But once we got beyond the startup phase, we’ve tried to formalize the learning process. I’ve found that executive-level employees benefit most from one-on-one coaching, whereas our team has really thrived with a combination of online, self-led courses and third-party speakers/trainers coming to lead workshops. - Megan Cunningham, Magnet Media, Inc.
