In the ever evolving, ever dynamic world of business (the term ‘business’ being used in an all-encompassing sense), keeping up with the change is a prerequisite for a sustainable work model. This applies to work models in the form of MNCs, industries, small scale and large scale business, and also to individuals working as freelancers. ‘Re-skilling’ as a concept means to add to, or learn new skills which will help provide more effective and efficient services to your ever-evolving client base. To delve a little deeper into why re-skilling is very important, let us think about it for the following reasons –
1. Sustainability – Imagine you are a chef. And because you believe in being vintage, you just won’t give up using tools from the stone age. And not once in a while for that rustic charm, that’s all that you believe in. Now, with the way technology has advanced, and every restaurant around you making good use of this technology, how long do you think you will be able to sustain your business? If your unique selling point is old style barbeque, so be it. But don’t limit yourself to being only old school. Think out of the box and analyze what would make your business even better than it already is. Accordingly re-skill – it could be in the marketing, communications, technology or any other segment of your business! (or probably all of this) Re-skilling is a pre-requisite to sustaining any business. Can’t keep wrapping old candy in new paper after all, need to innovate at some point, right
2. Efficiency and Effectiveness – To re-skill means to learn how to be more efficient, and hence more effective at what you do. Imagine you are a content writer. But you only believe in writing on paper and feel limited when it comes to making use of technology. How are you going to check if your piece is search engine optimized? If it isn’t, how effective do you think your writing will be in this sea of content called the internet? How about balancing the act by probably jotting down your ideas on paper, and then following a more efficient route by using technology to ensure what you write is not lost?
3. Personal Growth - …and hence professional growth! When you re-skill, you learn about doing the same things differently, and more efficiently, and also pick up new skills you feel are indispensable to your work. This leaves you feeling extremely confident and capable. The feeling of knowing that you are good at what you do, and that you are constantly growing and learning leave you feeling both personally as well a professionally accomplished. And isn’t it the best feeling ever?
As women looking to make a come-back into the work force, most of us don’t have it easy not only for the prevalent gender bias; but also because somewhere we might not be up to speed with what has changed. Investing some time to re-skill is something that will give you an edge over any other candidate – regardless of your career gap. Along with your past experience, you will also be in sync with the latest know-hows of the area. It couldn’t get better!