The coronavirus pandemic has brought us unprecedented times and monumental changes in the workplace. One Twitter user harkened to the never-ending feeling of the pandemic:
“‘Once COVID is over’ is starting to sound a lot like ‘when I hit the lottery.'”
Comic relief aside, a post-COVID world is a reality, and many of the changes that businesses made to adapt to life in a pandemic will remain. Effective communication has long ranked at the top of skills desired by employers, but this new age has ushered in a multi-dimensional approach. Simple phone calls and emails are no longer enough. Effective communication in the modern world involves mastering Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack and the like, and professionals must effectively connect with and manage a workplace for remote and hybrid teams. Effective communication post-COVID also means understanding how businesses can continue to connect with targeted consumers digitally.
William Paterson University’s Master of Business Administration General online program acknowledges the changing business landscape and prioritizes the development of advanced skills graduates can apply in any situation. The program, accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, integrates top-down management, leadership and career development themes with a curriculum that explores economic, financial and environmental factors impacting international business operations and the rise of technological innovation.
Nearly 700 global corporate recruiters shared their opinion and insight into a post-COVID world in a recent survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The survey identified three skill areas that employers will value in MBA graduate hires:
- Managing tools and technology: This involves evaluating technology and structures, controlling machines and processes, and managing devices and equipment. Businesses with leaders who knew how to leverage new technologies effectively and artificial intelligence fared better in the COVID-19 crisis than those who struggled to adapt to digital platforms.
- Interpersonal skills: Human connection and understanding proved invaluable in navigating the new normal of the pandemic. Interpersonal skills include social perceptiveness, ability to engage and persuade, negotiation and time management, among others.
- Managing strategy and innovation: Sixty-two percent of those surveyed believe there will be an increased demand for the ability to manage strategy and innovation more than any other. This requires analyzing data and information, thinking creatively and developing clear objectives and efficient strategies. The pandemic revealed just how important it is for managers to be agile and find innovative solutions in times of uncertainty.
Business schools have taken note. Traditionally, MBA programs are known for incorporating current events and real-world experience into courses and curriculum, and that trend will only continue. One of the goals of business school deans and faculty is to offer timeless ideas students can utilize no matter the circumstances.
The workplace and business landscape in a world after COVID-19 may look profoundly different. However, there will still be room for opportunity and a growing demand for competent leaders with the skill set to thrive in any setting. That is what distinguishes MBA graduates from undergraduates.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online MBA General program.
Sources:
Business Because: How an MBA Will Prepare You to Lead in a Post-Coronavirus World
Graduate Management Admissions Council: Corporate Recruiters Survey
MBA.com: Business Skills Employers Want in a Post-COVID World
U.S. News: The Relevance of an MBA Education During the Coronavirus Crisis
