Here's how you can cultivate skills for the future of business services.

I agree. From my own experiences, through the role of my team, we look to ensure our customer base is achieving the most out of their systems. We don’t need to be coders, or know exactly how to implement, but knowing trends and benefits is a step in the right direction. Within our business, we look for emerging tech trends to integrate smart, intuitive solutions. AI-driven tools, such as chatbots and personalized recommendations, elevating the customer experience and becoming almost expected now by many. My goal is to ensure customers are equipped and empowered to use their tools effectively. By fostering continuous learning and technological curiosity, we help our customers stay ahead of the curve and achieve their business objectives.

While AI is a new and exciting technology, your customer skills don't change. You still need to be able to listen to their needs and desires as well as their dreams to help keep them not only satisfied, but happy. There are a number of ways to do that. 1) Don't reinvent the wheel - Your customers are excited by AI. But they are nervous. Use your soft skills to help them stay relevant in a changing market. 2) Teach your customers to dream again - Most businesses and individuals didn't become successful by doing what everyone else did. They had an idea of how to go farther and do more. Remind them of how that felt.

Proficiency in technology is essential in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. It provides a competitive edge in the job market, enhances productivity through automation and collaboration tools, and facilitates continuous learning with access to online resources. In personal life, tech proficiency keeps us connected, aids in problem-solving, and supports DIY projects. Future implications include the need for understanding emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, as well as the importance of digital literacy in cybersecurity and ethical considerations. Being proficient in technology enables us to leverage its power to improve both personal and professional aspects of life, adapting to changes and seizing new opportunities.

Communication is an ART! Art can be subjective. But, communication must be practiced daily to be effective. Are you listening enough to show your company or customer how AI can help them? Why or why not? They won't believe if you don't believe!

In my experience, (and I am guilty for this), I have found many become blinkered with the requirements of learning the business and products they are supporting/promoting and forget about their personal growth. Personal growth and learning is key in any role, at any level, and I now consciously advocate this. Through self growth, curiosity, we find new and improved ways of working which not only help the business you operate within, but also progress you in your career!

Some of the smartest people who have ever walked this planet got that way by learning. Much of what they learned didn't come from a classroom. They observed. They read. They made mistakes. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Be afraid of not learning from your mistakes!

There is always someone that just seems to get the breaks. Often it isn't because they were lucky. The saying in business has been "It's not what you know but who you know". It will always be true. Take the time to listen and build those relationships. You never know when you might need that person or their perspective to get the answers that you are looking for!

So often in IT we tend to focus on our tower, project or problem. Every single part of the picture is a piece of the greater mosaic. If you aren't seeing the big picture, back off and talk to someone who is. There is nothing that will laser focus you more than seeing how your piece of a puzzle makes the picture make sense!

Effective communication is in my view, the most vital trait in project management for aligning goals, minimizing misunderstandings, and fostering collaboration. Other key traits of a project manager include excellent organization to manage tasks and deadlines, and leadership to motivate and guide the team…. I found that the methodologies taught such as Prince2 are fundamental, but in many industries not followed to the full extent and without creativity can restrict those who are very black and white in their ways of working.