A Business Managers oversee the staffing and operations of a business, helping it run efficiently and productively. If you want to become a Business Manager, you’ll need to know the specific requirements associated with this job. This article provides information about the skills you’ll need to learn, how to gain experience and build a portfolio, and the importance of references and a resume.
What is a Business Manager?
A Business Manager is a leader who supervises the personnel and operations of a department or organization. They work to maintain productivity, efficiency, and organization, and to help the company achieve its goals. They also help improve overall performance and find new opportunities for growth and improvement. A small company might have only one Business Manager, while a larger company might have a number of them. Some Business Managers specialize in a specific area such as marketing, sales, or administration.
A Business Manager typically takes responsibility for a wide range of different tasks. These vary depending on the industry they work in and the company they work for, however, in general, this position involves four main aspects. One is planning, which means setting future goals and making a plan for achieving them. The second is organizing tasks and resources so that business plans can be implemented. A third part of business management is leading employees. Finally, Business Managers are responsible for controlling the operations of a business, which means keeping track of how it is performing and making any changes that are needed.
Why Become a Business Manager?
Business management is a high-paying career and experts predict that it will have strong future job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a government agency that collects U.S. labor market statistics and releases analyses of those statistics. It reports a strong job outlook for all management jobs. It says, “Overall employment in management occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 1.1 million openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.” According to the agency, “The median annual wage for this group was $116,880 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.”
As a Business Manager, you may have access to a variety of different types of job opportunities in a range of industries, which is one thing that lots of people like about this job. Business Managers work in many different places because most types of business need managers. A Business Manager helps a business create goals and meet those goals, and also helps keep employees motivated and productive. This job can mean the difference between a business that thrives and one that does not.
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Education
To work in business management, you’ll need to gain expertise in a broad set of skills including finance, communication, and leadership. You’ll also need knowledge of the specific industry you plan to work in. A great way to get this education is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course at a career training school. These types of programs are usually both comprehensive and accelerated, with a focus on helping you master everything you need for a career in business management, and doing so in the shortest amount of time possible. They are typically intended to prepare you for an entry-level job in your intended field. Most also include career support services such as help creating a resume and portfolio, and advice about applying for jobs and interviewing. In some cases, you’ll even leave the course with connections to professional networks in your field.
Professional certifications can also be beneficial for a career in business management. Research shows that these often give job applicants an edge over other candidates, and can also increase the chances of advancement or pay increases. The specific certification that you pursue will depend on what field you plan to work in and what type of specialization you’re pursuing. Some certifications that might be useful in business management include Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), and Certified Professional-Human Resource (IPMA-CP).
Experience
Education is an essential part of becoming a Business Manager, however, you’ll also need to gain experience. How much experience you’ll need will vary depending on your specific job. For an entry-level job, less than two years of experience is generally required. Higher-level jobs require more experience. Experience means any paid jobs that you’ve held, but it can also include unpaid experience like volunteer work or internships
There are a number of ways to gain experience. In an article titled “You Want To Get Experience in Business Management Before Starting your Career. How Can You Do It?” LinkedIn explains some ways to gain experience in business management while you’re still in school. It says, “One of the most effective ways to get experience in business management is to find an internship or a part-time job that relates to your field of interest. You can search for opportunities on job boards, career fairs, social media, or your network.” Other suggestions include joining a student organization, volunteering, and starting a side project.
Skills
A Business Manager is responsible for overseeing business operations, which means that if you plan to work in this role, you’ll need financial literacy. This includes the ability to understand basic financial and accounting concepts. You’ll need to be able to read financial statements like income sheets and balance statements. As a Business Manager, you should also be able to work with budgets, make forecasts, and understand assets and liabilities. Another basic financial skill you should have for this role is an understanding of business and tax law.
This job also involves managing personnel and communicating with many different people, and you’ll need a number of different soft skills. One of the most important is leadership, including being able to delegate tasks, inspire a team, foster collaboration, and solve conflicts. You’ll also need to have strong verbal and written communication skills, since this job involves constant communication. Other soft skills that you’ll need as a Business Manager include time management, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
Another thing you’ll need to master if you work in business management is the software that you’ll use. Business Managers typically use a number of different software applications, which vary according to the specific job involved. You’ll most likely need to learn financial and accounting software such as Quickbooks. This type of software can save you time, reduce errors, and make it easier to analyze data. If your job involves project management, you may also need to learn a project management application such as Microsoft Project to help you do things like manage resources, monitor progress, and track schedules and budgets. Another common type of software in this profession is data analytics software like Tableau. Businesses of all types and sizes often use data analytics software to help them get a better understanding of what their customers want, how the business is operating, and how they can do better.
Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of professional work samples. It provides concrete evidence of your accomplishments and skills, showing potential clients and employers what you’re capable of. It’s an important part of getting a job in most fields, including business management. It can take some time to create a strong portfolio, so the sooner you start, the better. Your portfolio should include your best work and showcase both your technical skills and your soft skills. It can be either a physical or an online portfolio, and it should show off your unique style, but you should also make sure you keep it polished and professional.
Resume & LinkedIn Profile
A resume and LinkedIn profile are a way to introduce yourself to potential employers or clients, share your skills and experience, and give them an idea of how you might fit into their business. These are often the first impressions of you that these people will get, and are likely to be the deciding factor in whether or not they invite you for an interview. In many cases, a potential employer will start with your resume, which is a more concise summary of your skills, and then go to your LinkedIn profile for more information. Your resume and LinkedIn profile should be personalized for each position that you apply for, and should include your skills, experience, how you’re qualified for the job, and why you would be a good choice. A resume should not be longer than two pages. A LinkedIn profile can be longer and include more detail.
References
References are people who can speak positively about your work ethic, skills, and experience. If you’re applying for a job, you’ll probably need to supply a number of references. Employers use your references to get a better understanding of your working style, abilities, and personality. References also often function as a background check. In a job search, positive references can help you stand out from other people who have similar skills and experience to you. Your references should be people that you have worked with, and they can also include teachers. They should not include friends or family members. Before you add the name of a reference to your resume, you should ask their permission. It’s also courteous to thank your references after they speak for you.
Learn the Skills to Become a Business Manager at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is a New York City-based school that offers a wide variety of business classes, both in person--at its Manhattan facility--and in a live online format. Courses include comprehensive, hands-on bootcamps and certificate programs, which are designed to help you master all the skills that you’ll need in order to work as a business manager. Noble also runs a number of shorter courses where you can spend a day or two learning essential business skills like financial modeling or Excel. This school is licensed by the New York State Education Department.
- One popular Noble Desktop option is the “MBA” Business Certificate. This course is an “MBA-style” program and it includes some of the skills taught in MBA programs. In this class, you’ll learn tools and strategies for finance, project management, marketing, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the practical applications of generative AI, and will get access to a self-paced class that covers the basics of business insurance, employment law, and business law. This class includes the option to take electives that match your specific area of interest. Finally, it comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions.
- Another popular certificate program is the Data Analytics Certificate. In this course you’ll learn about gathering, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data, and you’ll work on a number of real-world projects. Both predictive and prescriptive analytics are covered, in addition to Python, Excel, Tableau, and SQL. All students also receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions, which can be used to work on challenging concepts or for resume and portfolio advice.
- Noble Desktop also runs many different business-related bootcamps. The Project Management Bootcamp is a popular option. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.
- Another bootcamp option is the Chat GTP & AI for Business Bootcamp. This course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to utilize AI in your daily business tasks. You’ll learn how to create effective prompts, manage conversations, and use advanced features like memory settings. You’ll also learn about the ethical considerations of AI. In addition, the course focuses on ways to use AI for task management, communication, and project planning. You’ll learn about automating repetitive tasks, optimizing schedules, and improving collaboration and administrative workflows.
- Noble also offers many shorter classes focused on a number of different business skills. For example, it has a variety of short Excel classes: Excel Level 1,Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you’ll learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, Pivot Charts, and advanced database functions.