The Evolving Skill Set for Future MBA Graduates – Dr. Narayani Ramachandran, Director, NMIMS, Bengaluru

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New Delhi, October 03, 2023 :  The business environment has transformed dramatically in recent years, mainly driven by rapid technological advancements and a positive shift in global connectivity. This has led to a big change in the expectations from MBA graduates when it comes to their skill sets.  Today, employers are seeking candidates who display technical expertise and problem-solving acumen, with a seamless blend of soft skills to successfully steer through the complexities of the modern business world.

Improving Technology Skills

With rapid technological advancements in almost every field, businesses have embarked upon the digital era to maximise their operations with equal alacrity. This has led to a great rise in demand for MBA graduates with skills pertaining to emerging technology like data analysis, programming, and digital marketing.

Data analysis skills become imperative for MBA graduates as they will need to interpret big information and obtain practical insights. This analytical ability helps them to make data-driven decisions that can assist in guiding businesses towards achieving success. Apart from this, programming skills have become invaluable in streamlining processes, automating tasks, and enhancing overall efficiency.

In the marketing domain, digital skills are crucial for MBA graduates to understand and negotiate the ever-expanding digital landscape. Be it social media marketing or content creation, businesses are expecting MBA graduates to make the most of digital platforms and effectually engage with their target audience.

Thriving in Complex Situations through Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, skills like adaptability, resilience, problem-solving and critical thinking have assumed paramount importance. Employers are in search of MBA graduates who can handle complex challenges, come up with innovative solutions, and adjust to dynamic situations with ease.

This is mainly due to the fact that the business world today is no longer about linear processes and static scenarios. Instead, it is characterized by ambiguity, uncertainty, and disruptive forces. MBA graduates equipped with strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities can dissect complex issues, identify root causes, and explore creative solutions.

By combining their technical expertise with incisive problem-solving skills, MBA graduates become agents for innovative change within their organizations. They become equipped to contribute to the development of agile and adaptive strategies that can withstand the unpredictable twists of the modern business landscape.

Effective leadership relies on strong communication and interpersonal skills

It is not just about technical prowess when selecting MBA graduates. Employers are now placing greater emphasis on soft skills too. The art of strong communication and interpersonal skills have become requisite qualities for success in any field.

This trend is not surprising, considering effective communication is the cornerstone of collaboration and relationship-building. MBA graduates, who are eloquent in articulating their ideas, both verbally and in writing, make a stronger impact on stakeholders and are able to build strong networks and tackle complex organizational dynamics.

Meanwhile, interpersonal skills enable MBA graduates to flourish in team-based environments. Collaborative leadership is de rigueur nowadays, and employers are looking for candidates who can infuse a culture of teamwork and inclusivity. MBA graduates with outstanding interpersonal skills can bring varied teams together, utilize the unique strengths of each individual, and ensure collective success.

However, the most important quality of a leader is to maintain integrity, which means not resorting to tactics for short-term gain and career advancements. Solid work ethics, and putting the organization before oneself become imperative to truly drive change and deliver successfully. Keeping an open mind to different perspectives and being resilient to change, without being judgemental are the signs of good leadership.

Achieving International Success with a Global Perspective

In the era of globalization, companies are increasingly expanding their operations beyond national borders. As a result, MBA graduates with a global outlook, cross-cultural understanding, and multilingualism are highly sought after.

The global economy is witnessing rapid growth, and businesses are tapping into international markets to expand their reach. Having a cross-cultural understanding is essential for MBA graduates to navigate cultural nuances, facilitate international partnerships, and cater to a diverse customer base effectively.

Moreover, multilingualism has emerged as a significant advantage for MBA graduates seeking to work in a globalized context. The ability to communicate in multiple languages enables greater accessibility to international markets and establishes stronger connections with stakeholders worldwide.

In the last few years, the requirements for MBA graduates have changed considerably. With advancements in technology and the rise of global markets, MBA graduates need to adapt to these new challenges. By developing strong tech skills, problem-solving abilities, good communication and interpersonal skills, and a global perspective, MBA graduates can become valuable assets to businesses. To succeed in today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, MBA graduates must be able to navigate complex situations and lead with agility. This will help them stand out and thrive in the constantly evolving tech-driven business world.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)