October - November 2001  

TheSkills You Need to Succeed

by Harry T. Roman

So you want to work in a cutting-edge, high-tech, information-rich company. That's a good goal. How can you reach that goal quickly? Try these eight 'killer skills' — qualities employers consider essential:

Analyze Information
In an information-rich company, people with good planning, organization and analysis skills will be in key positions to manage, process and interpret the huge flow of internal and external data and information.

With solid logical and analytical skills, you will be able to understand the significance of the information and recommend action.

Convert Information Into Knowledge
All innovative companies strive to convert raw data and corporate-gathered information into saleable products and services. Executives use this knowledge to help them gain competitive and strategic advantage over other companies. Significant value is placed on individuals who can convert data and information into knowledge, and do it quickly, efficiently and consistently. 

One key to mastering this conversion process is learning to use the computer as a tool to transfer, analyze, interpret and integrate the massive amounts of data passing across your desk.

Sell New Ideas to Management
The ability to implement new ideas and concepts is the real measure of your success. To bring your ideas to fruition, you must be proficient in selling your ideas to the executive who can grant you access to the necessary corporate resources.

Remember — no one will give poorly packaged and presented ideas the time of day, regardless of how promising they may appear. Be sure you can skillfully present:

• Market analyses for the proposed idea
• Pricing and marketing information
• Timing related to return on investment

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Communicate Concepts Clearly and Succinctly
This skill is a 'biggie.' Careers have been — and continue to be — severely jeopardized because of poor communication skills. In fact, without them, you could potentially stop your career in its tracks. You must be articulate.

Today's managers often judge employees by how well they express themselves, both orally and in writing. Managers need condensed kernels of information around which to base their decisions. They don't have time to wade through endless pages of reports or be intrigued with dazzling, yet long-winded analyses. You can provide additional information, but only after an initial, succinct briefing.

Keep in mind that as an employee, you are an ambassador of your department and company, whether you are making an internal presentation, meeting with clients, giving a paper at a conference, or talking and interacting with members of the public or regulatory agencies. Communication skills are the absolute foundation for all the other skills you will need. Don't be sidelined because of poor communication skills.

Plan For Timely Commercialization
Getting new products to market is the way companies sustain their cash flow and generate new sources of it. Timely implementation begins with people who know how to plan, organize and execute the commercialization process.

Knowing how to plan well allows you to handle a variety of different projects. It is also a skill that senior managers value. It sends a clear signal that you know how to use precious corporate resources efficiently and effectively.

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Be A Team Player
Teamwork and collaboration among corporate departments has become a mainstay of industry problem solving. Team members must possess excellent communication skills, present new ideas effectively, and resolve to act together to address corporate problems and needs.

Articulate leaders connect their team members and their assigned tasks to the big corporate picture. Selecting the right mix of team members is as important as formulating the problems the team must address. Strive to become an effective leader, who knows how to select the right team members for the best fit.

Do Multi-Dimensional, Integrated Problem Solving
Making sound business decisions requires more than just the technical and economic aspects of a problem. The environmental, safety, social, political, and regulatory considerations of a new product are also important. Employees need a balanced education so they can make tough choices from a multi-dimensional selection of options.

Employees who can think and reason problems on multiple levels simultaneously are essential in today's complex decision-making environments. Are you well rounded and capable of multi-dimensional, integrated problem solving? Can you see the parts of a problem and the whole problem at the same time? Do you know how to ask the tough questions that will define and bound the problem for analysis?

Seek Learning Opportunities
As an employee in today's high-tech industry, your learning must be constant. Continually improve or rejuvenate your skills to meet new corporate challenges. Motivate yourself to learn, enjoy the challenge of new experiences, and develop a life-long discipline to seek learning opportunities.

With these skills and abilities, rewarding positions in one of today's progressive companies will be yours for the taking. It's up to you to continue honing your skills, building your knowledge, and setting ever-higher goals.

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Harry T. Roman is a senior member of IEEE, senior technology consultant for PSE&G, and an adjunct graduate faculty member at New Jersey Institute of Technology.