Management professionals should improve their skills to stand out in the digital economy

The digitally transformed economy has been disrupting our industries and professions for some time. On the contrary, the global pandemic has fueled the whole process and accelerated the fusion of disruptive technologies in the everyday workspace. Industry 4.0 is at the center of organizations of all scales, making business decisions more technology-driven. Leaders from all sectors have recognized the role of new technologies in global affairs.

In the context of this changing landscape, it is relevant for management professionals to develop and adopt competitive digital skills to thrive. Technologies such as data science, analytics, big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning have already proven to be indispensable. However, are traditional management programs addressing this digital disruption adequately? For management professionals to be prepared for Industry 4.0, they must master the adoption of these new era technologies in their respective industries. They must take advantage of this technological disruption to gain an advantage. The sooner the better, because this trend is not fading. On the contrary, technological advancements will only grow exponentially in the years to come, making development a constant component of professional growth.

From product development to marketing, supply chain and all business functions, data has become an integral part of analysis and decision making. Companies across industries are increasingly turning to a data-driven approach to all kinds of organizational decisions. As a result, management professionals tasked with making decisions, be it financial advice or product marketing, cannot afford disruptive digital technologies such as data science, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity and machine learning and more to be black boxes for them. If we take a look at various industries today, be it human resources, product development, logistics or marketing, the role of digital technologies such as analytics and machine learning is undeniable. For example, human resources rely heavily on data analytics to optimize recruiting processes now. Even for internal employee training and performance appraisal, human resource management often depends on analytics-based tools. Likewise, product marketing and sales are no longer limited to traditional delivery or physical engagement. Digital marketing has become one of the most effective means of marketing in the digital economy and management professionals today must lead these processes in organizations. Even with offline marketing, data plays a crucial role in performance monitoring and investment decisions.

The best way to gain a competitive advantage is to understand the demands of the industry and prepare accordingly. The growing use of digital skills in global businesses has created a huge skills gap. Recruiters are looking for management professionals with technology skills that are ready for the future. The right development strategy can help management professionals not only capitalize on this gap between supply and demand, but also easily fit into this changing landscape and make an impact. From start-ups to multinationals, companies rely on professionals capable of exploiting the digital economic framework with an effective approach to digital innovation from a global management perspective. Management professionals must meet this requirement and sustain their careers.

Traditional management theories are becoming obsolete because they do not adapt to changing market demands. However, the good news is that where traditional management programs are lagging behind, new programs are stepping up. Training providers recognize the need to adapt to the changing demands of the digital economy and design their courses accordingly. These forward-looking programs fill the skills gap and help professionals master the technologies that drive today’s businesses.

Thanks to the online program delivery model, we now have a plethora of online management degree programs that offer professionals flexibility and a more affordable price. Most importantly, these are designed to adequately meet the needs of the digital economy. From access to a hand-picked global faculty to quality pedagogy, these online management programs prepare students for the real challenges of the marketplace.

In keeping with the needs of the day, these forward-looking online management programs retain the fundamentals of traditional management courses while including knowledge of new era technologies. No longer limited by geographic locations, professionals can now gain international exposure, even from remote locations. These online programs provide easy access to a wide selection of cutting edge quality programs in advanced business management, in addition to essential components of traditional business and marketing tools. In addition, Indian institutions are partnering with ed-tech platforms to provide quality education that meets international standards.

We must also take into consideration the need for management teams to stay up to date on the latest technology to make informed decisions. C-level or seasoned professionals can also benefit from these online programs to collect relevant data, technology tools and skills to run successful businesses. However, it is essential that professionals now navigate the changing landscape to thrive in the digital economy in both Indian and global markets. Now is a great time to improve your skills and take advantage of the skills shortage to stay ahead of the competition.