What makes a successful business, and how can a company turn failure into success? These are questions that business leaders grapple with every day. In times of crisis, when the stakes are particularly high, the need for decisive action is critical. But while technical skills and aptitude are necessary, the real key to success may lie in non-technical skills. In this article, we’ll explore just how vital non-technical skills are when businesses must be operating on a “war footing.
1. The Imperative for Non-Technical Skills in Times of Crisis
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for us all to fast-track the acquisition of non-technical skills to weather this crisis. A crisis is a situation where we are often unable to predict the future nor leverage our existing tools and technologies to make our way out successful.
Being innovative and forward-looking is highly beneficial to navigating a crisis. Critical-thinking, problem-solving, resilience, flexibility, adaptability and agility are key non-technical skills that can come to the rescue in trying times.
One of the most crucial aspects of surviving a crisis is to be able to create something new. Whether it is a business model for a new innovation or a fresh way of thinking about an existing problem – an aptitude to look at things from fresh perspectives can help to come up with innovative solutions.
- Creativity: the ability to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas and solutions.
- Communication: the power to effectively articulate and express ideas, thoughts and emotions.
- Collaboration: the capacity to work in a team to generate synergy amongst members.
These skills are valuable and applicable at all times, and prove to be especially important during a period of crisis. Leverage these to beat the odds and survive any situation today and for the future!
2. Exploring the Benefits of Non-Technical Skills for Businesses on a War Footing
As the strategic landscape of corporate warfare evolves and new business models emerge, there is a need to leverage unquantifiable enabling factors. Non-technical skills, while difficult to measure, are paramount in helping companies pivot, adapt, and seize opportunities.
- Political acumen: The ability to adjust corporate policy to local regulatory nuances, enabling managers to capitalize on competitive advantages of specific markets.
- Leadership through diversity: The capability of unifying teams through different cultures, mindsets, opinions and activities to focus on a common goal.
- Timely decision making: Analyzing quickly and responding to crises, sensing opportunities in the surrounding environment, and making decisions that bring about desired results.
These non-technical skills, while sometimes overlooked, are invaluable tools for businesses that are striving to succeed in competitive environments. They provide a foothold into new markets, strategic insights, and innovations that generate tangible results. The war for market share and customer loyalty is not just fought in the commercial realm; it is also won through the careful combination of technical and non-technical aptitude.
3. Understanding the Value of Human Capital in War-Time Business
In every kind of armed conflict, human capital plays a central role in determining the success or failure of campaigns. The presence of competent and experienced personnel can ensure victory while the lack thereof can render a team powerless and ineffective under duress.
For war-time businesses, understanding and tackling human capital can be a decisive factor in the outcome of their operations. For starters, hiring valuable employees and creating effective training programs to develop them into successful players can be key for productivity and efficiency. The more invested a business invests in its personnel, the better its chances of achieving its objectives. Also, HR departments should be carefully managed and monitored to ensure efficient allocation of personnel and resources. Directors should also constantly keep their eyes open for new talent and ensure they have the right team to play the right roles.
- Hiring valuable employees.
- Creating effective training programs.
- HR departments should be managed and monitored.
- Directors should constantly keep their eyes open for new talent.
4. Non-Technical Skills: The Vital Ingredient for Successful War-Time Strategy
As insightful military leaders throughout history have realized, it takes more than just an astute grasp of the tactical landscape to steer a war-time strategy. Non-technical skills, such as the abillity to motivate and persuade, are equally vital when making decisions that can shape the outcome of a conflict.
- Leadership: The ability to inspire a group of people to consistently achieve objectives, even in the face of obstacles, is undeniably one of the most important traits for a war-time commander. Having a strategy is only half of the battle. It is up to the leader to rally their troops, motivate them to face whatever challenges come their way, and foster teamwork and collaboration.
- Communication: Rarely is a war-time strategy won without allies. The ability to diplomatically foster relationships, engage in meaningful dialogue, and present a plan in a persuasive manner can not only bring resources and support, but can assuage tensions and avert potential conflicts.
- Adaptability: The situation on the ground can shift unexpectedly. Even with the best-laid strategies, the ability to recognize a problem quickly, assess the new circumstances, and come up with an alternate approach is essential in both ensuring short-term success and long-term victory.
It is well known how the great generals of the past achieved ultimate victory. We can learn from their examples and remember that mastering the non-technical skills as well as the technical ones is essential for ensuring success in both war-time and everyday life.
When times of difficulty arise, looking back to the tried and true strategies of building better relationships and being creative with problem-solving can help any business stay on the path to success. By taking the time to review and consider the importance of both technical and non-technical skills, businesses can be better equipped to face whatever challenge lies ahead. By having a good balance between the two, organizations can ensure that they have the necessary skills and teamwork to stay afloat in rough seas.