
The business world is changing at an alarming rate, and as a result, we all need to take our own development into our own hands. Whether you are planning a career change or you are trying to climb up the over-saturated career ladder, self-education is a must to ensure you have the necessary skills. While companies send you on courses, can you be sure they are up to date or are they merely using the same old materials from years ago?
Improving your self-education is vital, but how can you do it?
Utilize Industry Contacts
Networking is still one of the most important ways to keep abreast of what is going on. Remember, it’s not what you know but who you know. And when you are keeping in regular contact with the right people, you will get general titbits of information to push you in the right direction.
Whether it’s a little tip-off about a certain industry heading south because of automation, or there are research papers being published that are hailing a breakthrough in a certain area, it’s all very useful. You can purchase research papers here, and scan them at your convenience, and as it’s a method of self-education you can do in your own time, these up-to-date resources can certainly make you more aware of the industry you are in.
Keep Your Finger On The Pulse
Keeping your finger on the pulse encompasses so many different things; firstly if you don’t read the news, it’s time! Secondly, when it comes to making your own self-education, you have so many online resources that are held in high regard, and are easily accessible; there is no excuse to not keep abreast of the latest trends and information.
Sites like LinkedIn are being used as a great resource, but also, a fantastic platform to communicate their views. Using this on a regular basis, as opposed to your usual social media channel, will get you into the habit of being up to date. Using this in conjunction with the online Harvard Business Review site, you’ve got a solid base of business knowledge.
Make The Most Of The Best Online Resources
And it’s not just keeping up to date on a regular basis that will provide salient information, it is also about finding the right courses for where you want to progress to. While there are free resources like Future Learn, there are others that might be more in-depth; depending on what it is you want to learn. But if you are starting out on your journey to self-education, you need to know the basics, in which case, there are infinite online learning platforms that can give you a leg up, and this includes courses on sites like Udemy, or even the various TED Talks online provides a great starting point.
Improving your own self-education is a considerable challenge, especially if you don’t know where to begin. But, you can progress fast, if not faster, than a lot of your contemporaries in business. You have to take the law into your own hands when you are looking to climb up the career ladder or expand a business, are you ready to start?
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