7 Tips They Don't Teach You In Business School

 [Edit : Thanks to Rock the Post for this interesting entry. Be sure to check out their blog.]

The success of a business does not rely on how big and influential it is, how good the product is, or how well connected and established it is. Forget about all those factors – the success relies on the people that work behind the project. The people who innovate, decide the strategy, market the product and create the business are the ones who are truly putting the business in motion.

Furthermore, business people and entrepreneurs get the knowledge and skills they use in their businesses from what they have learned in business schools, yet there are essential things that are not taught in school that can be key.

1) Being Grounded

It is very hard – almost impossible to teach people to be nice since most of the time, nice people are born/raised that way. For instance, try to observe around you and analyze who you think would qualify as a nice person. Try to see what  they do for others that you don’t do.  Think about the people you hire and want in your business especially when carrying out the business social networking. Would you hire someone who does not use signals when changing lanes? A person who does not hold a door open for you? Becoming nice is not actually taught in business school, it is just how the person handles him or herself without being taught. And believe me, this can make a great difference when closing deals, getting hired, running a successful business etc.

2) Getting Your Personal Finances In Order

“You will never get rich by working for someone else,” this is a common line we hear all the time. The  value of money has been taught to us since we were children, and is something that they don’t teach you in school. In other words, business schools focus on professional skills rather that on the personal finance skills such as learning how to organize personal finances and structuring budgets.

3) Knowing When To Leave

There are times when we want to leave our respective jobs, no matter how long we have stayed there.  But when is it time to REALLY leave?  If you have observed any of the following, consider this as an alarm:

·         You don’t know what else to do

·         The job is not fun anymore

·         You have been passed over the promotion several times

·         You really don’t care anymore

·         You are working with the same boring people at the same boring company/environment

If you have experienced at least 3 of this, then it’s the right time for you to leave ASAP.

4) Finding a Mentor

Every successful person has at least one mentor that has influenced their success.  Many have achieved their dreams and plans looking up to their mentors.

5) Generating Revenue for your Company

This is one thing that business schools do not teach you. “The real purpose of the organization is to generate revenue.” How do you do that? As hard as it may seem, all you need is efficiency when trying to increase your productivity, effectiveness, sensitivity and profitability as a responsible employee/person.

6) Moving at least every two to three years within the Organization

Individuals who have been in their same job description for at least 10-15 years are the ones who have been reduced in force in the last 10 years.  Actually, you can grab  competitive edge in any organization even if it means taking a lateral position or a demotion by moving every two to three years.

7) Learning and Applying Business and Social Etiquette

Today, there are tons of people who lack politeness consideration, and thoughtfulness. This doesn’t just affect the workplace but our society in general. A lot of people tend to forget that, in everything you do, there is always an extra set of eyes watching you.  Senior executives are actually observing behaviors at business meetings and social events, looking at how you treat your peers and employees, how you communicate through writing and speaking, and how you absorb feedback about yourself.  It is important for you to have strong knowledge on business and social etiquette.

Unfortunately, courses in business and social etiquette are not offered in a business school. Nevertheless, these are just a few of the things that are not emphasized in schools that each person must know and apply in order to succeed in their future or even present career.

Moreover, investing in yourself is something you must do to succeed, not only for work but also in life. Self investment is not only limited to educating yourself through seminars and courses, however it also refers to going after opportunities in your current job and venture which will challenge you.