In today’s fast-paced business environment, it’s more important than ever for business owners, managers and professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in their industries. Continuous learning is crucial for success, and can help individuals stay competitive, improve their skills and enhance their career prospects.
But with busy schedules and competing priorities, it can be difficult to find the time for professional development. That’s where the Chamber comes in. As part of our mission to support local business, we offer a variety of free opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
Sometimes the biggest hurdle in engaging in professional development is determining relevant topics to explore. Your time is your most valuable resource, and you don’t want to waste time learning about issues not relevant to your role or industry. Topic areas should be:
- Timely or current – learning about technology or software that came out 5 years ago and will soon be obsolete is not going to help you. However, understanding the implications of new AI technology, such as ChatGPT could allow you to revolutionize your work.
- Profitable – at the end of the day, the whole purpose of professional development is to keep you at the top of your game in order to maximize your efficiency and profitability. If a topic is interesting to you, but will have little to no impact on your bottom line, either implicitly or explicitly, save it for another time, and seek out a more impactful topic.
The other hurdle we often face in professional development is simply finding the time. There will always be urgent demands on our time that we can easily allow to take priority. Stephen Covey (author of the 7 habits of highly effective people) famously said that ‘What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.’ Professional development is important, but rarely urgent, so it requires conscious decision making on our part to prioritize it. Incorporating learning into your routine doesn’t have to be difficult! Here are some tips for busy professionals:
- Schedule learning time: Just like you would schedule time for meetings or appointments, block off time in your calendar for learning. Whether it’s a lunch time webinar or a few chapters of a relevant book, make learning a priority.
- Take advantage of downtime: Instead of scrolling aimlessly through social media during your commute or lunch break, check out the latest posts from a professional group or page (such as the Chamber of Commerce) to find learning opportunities, articles, or podcasts related to your industry.
- Build a professional network: One of the best (and most fun!) methods of learning is through discussion with industry peers and mentors who are facing similar struggles and business situations as you. Hearing their first hand experience can inspire creative solutions to problems and spark new ideas and opportunities. To meet new people, and expand your professional network, look for free networking opportunities in your area.
- Join a professional organization: Membership in a professional organization, such as the Chamber, can provide access to valuable resources and networking opportunities. However, simply belonging to a group is not enough! Make sure you take advantage of events and webinars to stay informed and connected.
Continuous learning is an investment in your future success. In this fast-paced, post-COVID landscape, you are either moving forward, or falling behind. Don’t get caught standing still while your competitors pass you by! Make learning a priority and get the competitive edge you need to succeed.