If you ask almost any professional about the most important hard skills, communication will almost always be at the top of the list.
The ability to discuss strategy, goals and decisions with others is of paramount importance to any business; Communication can truly be the difference maker for companies small and large. Millions of dollars could be lost every year due to inadequate communication.
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For these reasons, communication skills remain highly desirable. According to Wiley’s Closing the Skills Gap 2023 report, digital communication skills are the second most in-demand technical skill, while communication in the broader sense, including written, oral and presentation, remains one of the most in-demand soft skills at companies.
And as the workplace looks very different than it did just five years ago (thanks to more remote work and the integration of artificial intelligence, for example), the best ways to communicate are also changing.
“Today’s skills typically become obsolete in about three to five years, which means we need to upskill very often,” says Angie Kamath, dean of the school. New York University School of Professional Studies.
Changing communication dynamics
One way to stay ahead of the competition is to take a business communication course. While they used to focus more on writing professional emails, filling out research reports and creating effective presentations, today this area has shifted towards deeper data analysis, customer communication, social impact and social media, says Kamath.
Social media, in particular, has created new opportunities for product sales businesses. In accordance with Pew Research Center3 in 10 adult social media users have purchased a product after seeing it on social media, with this number increasing if a content creator they follow mentions it.
Because this shift is so broad and impactful, Kamath says integrated marketing has become the most popular master’s program offered by NYU’s school of professional studies. For those deeply involved in marketing and communications, upskilling through graduate school can be a great opportunity.
For others, completing a certification program or even just taking a one-time communications course can be a great way to learn the latest techniques, especially as new technologies emerge.
“So, we often try to help people understand how to use technology (the flavor of the month or the flavor of the year is AI), but how to use technology to improve what you do from a communication perspective,” Kamath says. Luck.
At the same time, the workforce has also seen shifts in human dynamics, including gender, diversity, aging, hybridity, and Gen Z. Part of why getting out of your algorithm is critical to exploring new ideas and communicating. says Kamath.
“Whether it’s work, work life or personal life, like social media, it keeps us busy,” she adds. “We find ourselves in our echo chamber because the algorithm tells us what to consume.”
Her advice is to find the offering that best matches your interests and learning desires across three broad skill segments: human, business enablement and technical. The course may cover all three subjects or concentrate deeply on one subject.
The good news is that there are different program lengths, costs, requirements and concentrations, and while certificates are offered, you can also simply enroll in individual courses. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose the one that best suits your current career goals as well as your personal circumstances.
Luck introduced to the market some offers that allow you to improve your skills in the world of business communication.
Requirements: 2 courses to obtain a certificate
Expenses: $145 per course; $250 per package
Format: Online
Schedule: 10–20 hours to complete the entire package
Examples of courses: Effective business writing; Effective presentations; Collaborative communication
Expenses: US$3900
Format: Online
Schedule: 3 months
Examples of courses: Intercultural communication; Persuasive letter; Effective communication without a script
Requirements: Take 3 business communication courses to earn your certificate.
Expenses: $9,660 ($3,220/course)
Format: Online or in person
Schedule: Within three years
Examples of courses: Information technology, finance and communications; Writing a grant application; Negotiations and resolution of organizational conflicts
Requirements: Complete 3 18-hour courses to earn your certificate.
Expenses: $11,400 ($3,800/course)
Format: Online or in person
Schedule: Self-determining
Examples of courses: Interpersonal communication and conflict management; Written and visual communication; Public speaking for professionals
Requirements: 3 core courses + 3 electives for certification
Expenses: ~$5400 ($799–$999 per course)
Format: Online; Instructor-led or self-paced options
Schedule: Within three years
Examples of courses: Digital communication in a changing workplace; Persuasion in Business: Leadership, Public Speaking and Management Communication; Strategic communications and corporate storytelling
Requirements: Complete 7 courses (5 compulsory + 2 elective)
Expenses: ~$6,700 (including fees, tuition, program materials)
Format: Online or in person
Schedule: Self-determining
Examples of courses: Dynamics of interpersonal communication; Crisis management and communications: protecting image and viability; Social Media Best Practices for Communications Professionals
Requirements: series of 4 courses
Expenses: $49/month
Format: Online
Schedule: 2 months (10 hours per week)
Examples of courses: Business letter; Graphic design; Successful Presentation In addition to these examples, platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and edX offer many courses in the field of business communication.