In classical physics, Newton’s First Law of Motion describes a phenomenon known simply as inertia. The concept is simple: for objects that are in motion, barring any external forces, they will continue to stay in motion, unless acted upon.

We can use the concept of inertia to think about career advancement in business, where we want to go as individuals, and what we aspire to achieve. It can be tough to make progress when we’re not in motion. You might feel this when you’re in a dead-end job, or when things feel like they take an inordinate amount of time to progress.

In many ways, career progression is a crucial aspect of career growth. While qualifications such as an aacsb accredited online mba with no gmat can help you stand out, what other steps can you take to advance your business career?

In this article, we’ll explore some of the common steps that are taken to take the next step in a business career. From setting up a vision for the future to investing in your skills and network, these tips can help you become not only ready to take the next step in your career but also empower you with newfound flexibility, essential in today’s rapidly transforming workforce.

The Importance of Having A Plan

Why have a plan? After all, it’s a piece of paper with some notes on it; it’s not that important, right?

Wrong. Having a professional development plan is one of the most important steps you can take to get the most out of your career, whether it be in business or any number of other industries. It’s more than some notes; it’s a helpful framework that you can use to define your career objectives, and a structured way to identify what opportunities or shortfalls may exist in your current skillset.

The best part about plans is that you can tailor them to suit your exact requirements. They’re a tool that you can invest time, energy, and effort into, a document that is your own to take charge of. Data shows that employees with a professional development plan feel much more connected to their work, they’re able to associate the work they do with the value they bring to an organisation, and can also build confidence, helping to provide certainty in uncertain times.

It’s vital that when you develop a development plan, you consider your own unique needs and circumstances, and go beyond the short term. Think about where you’d like to be in a few years, as trivial as that may sound, those insights can help you lay out a roadmap of things you can accomplish, to help you advance in your business career with a range of new skills, knowledge, and subject matter expertise.

Plans are different for everyone; for some, a twelve-month plan is more than enough, and for others, a three or even five-year plan may be necessary. Decide what’s best, and start from there, remembering that you can change things down the track if needed.

Investing In Your Skills

What are some of the things you should include in your development plan? Well, a great way to get ahead in the workplace is to work on improving your skills, particularly by investing in yourself. Many employers offer the ability to undertake training opportunities to further your knowledge about the tools and technology that you use at work.

If you’re looking to improve your skills, there are a range of different opportunities available. From single-skill tutorials on sites such as YouTube to short courses and longer-form formal qualifications, there is a skills opportunity out there for everyone.

While some professions have legal requirements to undertake professional development (such as teaching and nursing), not all professions do. However, it’s good practice to invest in your skills, even if not explicitly instructed to by your work. It can help you stand out amongst your colleagues, particularly if you’ve already got some knowledge about forthcoming tools and technology that are newly implemented at work.

Developing A Network

Work, by design, often involves more than just the technology we work with on a day-to-day basis. After all, as the saying goes, there’s no I in team – and fundamentally, the people we work with are a big part of our careers.

Developing a network isn’t as simple as setting up a Facebook account and sending a bunch of friend requests. It goes far beyond that; it may include getting involved in industry and community events, exploring new opportunities, and establishing yourself as a key person in your role.

While you may not have the same plan, skills, or goals as your peers, networking with them can provide valuable opportunities to learn from the experiences of others. Perhaps a colleague has completed a course that you’re interested in, and can provide insights on how they succeeded, or maybe they may have some pointers towards certain tools or technologies that you can learn that may benefit you as you develop your skillset.

Be Flexible

In today’s workplaces, anything can happen. Unfortunately, redundancy and retrenchment are not uncommon across all industries, with employers looking for ways to streamline operations and optimize their processes where possible.

This can have an impact on even the most well-thought-out plans, after all, not many of us plan to lose our jobs. As you develop your skills and grow your network, it’s important to consider what steps you can take to ensure that a career change doesn’t become a total reset.

For example, professional profiles such as a LinkedIn account can be highly advantageous in volatile job markets. They allow employees to create a profile with a personal email address, showcasing their achievements to an audience of industry peers, recruiters, and thought leaders.

Many professional bodies recommend that you have a LinkedIn profile to open up opportunities to speak with contributors and companies across your particular industry. It can be a valuable, portable showcase of your work, a way to demonstrate your work to others, without the risk of losing it if you change roles.

In today’s evolving workplace, there are many steps you can take to advance your career. From having a plan to developing your skills and even your network, there are a range of opportunities available to get ahead. If you’re feeling unsure, perhaps it’s time to reach out to a careers counsellor and explore your options.