Many people in administration or finance roles can reach a point where they are looking for more from their career, such as a transition to business management. Small businesses are the backbone of the Australian economy, and many people aspire to run their own business. Business management skills are essential to success in most professions and businesses.
The benefits and motivation for progressing from office administration or finance into management include:
Everyone you meet is part of a potential business network therefore networking can have unlimited benefits for your career. Attend networking events run by local councils or organisations like Rotary to establish an avenue to build business relationships. For women, there are excellent female networking organisations like Business Chicks which run regular networking events. Through networking, volunteering or friendship groups you may find a business mentor to bounce ideas off, discuss management issues or help guide your career in the right direction. You might have more than one mentor as different people have different experiences and opinions to offer.
Read relevant business books and search online for podcasts that are relevant to the type of management skills you will need. Listen to experienced business people tell their stories of what worked or failed for them in business. Use tips from their business management journey to help you transition successfully to management. Every failure in business is an opportunity to learn, so make sure you listen to those that will communicate their ups and downs in business. For example, Mark Bouris ‘Mentored’ series or Janine Ellis ‘Superwomen we ain’t” (iTunes) are two very experienced and successful business people who have informative free podcasts.
LinkedIn has become an effective, professional way to follow companies and people in your industry. Job opportunities are often advertised through LinkedIn first and recruiters now actively approach potential candidates through search criteria.
Tips:
An effective way to develop skills and networking while you transition to management is volunteering outside of work at your local kindergarten, school, community centre or sporting club. Joining a committee or managing a sporting team can help develop the people and management skills required in a new management role. Meeting and working with people in this volunteer capacity will also help improve your communication skills. Key volunteer roles should be included on your CV as relevant experience.
Arguably the most important way to transition to business management is to look at undertaking a qualification in business management such as an online Diploma of Leadership & Management (BSB50420) or a Diploma of Business (Leadership) (BSB50120). Both courses are relevant and beneficial for a transition of an administrative career into management or for running your own business.
These qualifications provide a grounding in emotional intelligence, effective workplace relationships, leading and managing teams, and other key business skills such as recruitment, managing performance and employee relations. If you have limited experience in business and management this would be a beneficial way to gain the necessary training and skills to fast track your management career.
The entire BSB training package has undergone a review and overhaul from PWC and AISC. In October 2020, the new Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) course was announced, superseding and expanding on the older Diploma of Business Administration (BSB50415). The Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) focuses on the operations of a business, particularly key transferable skills in business administration, finance and communication, to create a more holistic and future-focused business qualification. Learn more about the Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) here.
