Fast-Track Ways to Boost Your Business Career

We all know how busy and competitive the business industry can be, meaning as an employee you must do everything within your power (and more) to stand out. If you are ready to work harder than you ever have before, and believe you have what it takes to climb that corporate ladder, read on to find out how you can fast-track your way to the top. 

Set Out a Clear Plan

Whilst it may be obvious what you want, having a clear plan set out will inform you of where you are and where you want to be. Not only can this motivate you to work harder, it also guarantees you don't go off track and lose your passion when the going gets tough.  

Any smart businessperson has a long-term and short-term career plan. Your goals are a great thing to bring up during annual appraisals, as this sets out clear ambitions to your boss. Those who have career plans get further. 

Planning your career path is the first step on your journey. Be clear and concise with your goals. Whilst being adventurous may get you further, be sure not to set goals that are unattainable. 

Understand Your Company Values

Truly understanding a company's values means that you will work towards and share a common goal. From the moment you step foot in a company, you should not only understand their values but envision them as your own and aim to work towards them. 

Not only this, but you must align your goals alongside your boss's goals. That way, you can assist them in achieving their personal and professional goals, getting you noticed sooner. If you work towards projects you know are important to your boss, they are more likely to come to you with more responsibility, meaning quicker opportunities for advancement. 

Company values give you something to work from when setting your own goals. Helping others achieve their goals can bring you closer to achieving your own. 

Develop Your Interpersonal Skills

If you really want to go far in business, there are certain interpersonal skills you must ascertain. Below are some of the most important and how you can begin to work on them:

• Teamwork - Take every opportunity to work with others and to help them. Ask for other opinions and be sure to take them on board. A good leader knows they are nothing without their team.

• Confidence - This is something that comes with time and a positive mindset. You have to be confident in your work to be able to inspire others to feel the same and to follow you.

• Communication - There are plenty of online and evening classes out there for business people looking to improve their communication skills to become an effective leader. Communication comes in many forms, and you must show professionalism in the way you speak, how you compose yourself, and how you write emails.

• Adaptability - With technology being at the forefront of many companies, those who work in business must be adaptable and feel positive about change. Instead of complaining when changes are made, be one of the first people to follow the change. 

Whilst knowledge of the business industry can get you so far, excellent communication, adaptability, teamwork skills and confidence are what will get you into the big leagues. 

Work Harder

Be sure to go above and beyond what your company and your manager expects of you. This means putting in extra work, finishing deadlines earlier than expected and working overtime. Be that person that offers to take over work if a colleague is off sick. The only way to fast-track your business career is to get noticed, and hard workers get noticed. 

Volunteer first for any high-visibility projects. Be that person who is one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. This grind will be worth it when your name is constantly coming up on your manager's radar. 

The biggest names in business didn't get where they are by sitting back and letting others do the work. Applying yourself in every way possible will get you noticed and will earn you those all-important promotions. 

Get the Right Education

Education is important within business, and employers will scrutinise each employee's credentials. That being said, attending course after course may not be the ideal way to prove your knowledge and skills. Choosing the right education will get you noticed by the right people and will teach you valuable lessons. 

The most sought-after business degree out there is an MBA (Master's in Business Administration). Even if you didn't study for an undergraduate degree in a business subject, you can still choose to study for a masters, as long as you have the relevant professional experience. Check this website out for more information and to find out how you can fast-track your education to land your dream role. 

Educate yourself with a master's degree to gain respected knowledge and understanding of the business world and learn what it takes to become a leader in business. 

Network Yourself

Networking is an ongoing part of any career and sometimes in business, it is who you know rather than what you know. Use any resources you can to gain leverage within the business community. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Make social media accounts, such as LinkedIn and Twitter (be sure to follow important businesspeople and interact in Twitter streams)

• Don't bring up jobs when meeting new people

• Ask for advice and listen

• Attend conferences and events

• Talk to those standing alone

• Meet new people through friends and colleagues (this means saying yes to that lunch outing; you never know who you may meet and how they may help your career)

Networking shouldn't stop just because you have a job. You never know when an amazing opportunity can arise through networking. 

Record Your Ongoing Successes

Having a quantifiable way of showing others what you have achieved can get you noticed. Many companies like to see measurable results, and whilst gaining a degree or taking on extra courses is excellent, showing this off is just as important. 

Be sure to take your file with you during annual appraisals to show what you have achieved in a year. Those who have the initiative to take this proof and explain the importance of each course in improving their work are the ones who will gain promotions and raises.

Show off your successes and keep an accurate, professional file of your achievements. This can come in handy during appraisals and job interviews. 

Help Others

Being known as the person around the office that helps others is a sure-fire way to get people to trust you and make long-lasting professional relationships. Always be willing to help others and look for signs that people need that extra hand. If you notice a colleague is constantly staying back late, ask them if they could use some help with an important deadline or some guidance on their work.

It may be that this is all they needed to get finished and go home on time. This ensures they sing your praises to colleagues and management and helping others can provide you with the opportunity to refine those leadership and teamworking skills.  

Making and maintaining professional relationships at work is an essential part of business. Not only will colleagues lean on you for support, but you never know when you may need a favour from them. 

Think Business Outside of Work

Great businesspeople have a thorough knowledge of the industry and take every opportunity to learn. This means reading, studying and breathing business. You can do this by:

• Following companies and influential business figures on social media

• Reading business magazines

• Attending conferences and important events

• Reading management books

The internet and books are both great tools for gaining insight into how others work and applying this to your own job role.

Be Thankful

Sometimes the way to get noticed isn't just hard work. Many interns simply forget to show their appreciation to those who have trained them or given them guidance that has helped them throughout their career. You remember those who appreciate you or say something good about you months or even years after the event.

So, it doesn't come as a surprise that your colleagues and managers are more likely to remember those who are thankful. This could be as simple as sending a thank-you email to a manager who gave you some great feedback or advice on completing a task. 

Simply being appreciative and thankful for opportunities and guidance can be enough to get your name in the minds of those who matter. 

Fast-tracking your business career starts with a vision and comes true with dedication, hard work, and understanding of the company. Always be willing to go that extra mile for your manager and colleagues, and be thankful for anyone that helps you to achieve success at work. Spend some time outside of work learning more about business and gaining insights from great business leaders, and you will get far in your business career.