Updated

Top Business Skills In Demand

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or have already made your way to the C-Suite, developing new skills is a must. As the old adage goes: if you're not growing, you're dying. The question of course then becomes – which business skills should you be learning? And which are the top business skills in demand?

The answers to these questions vary on your industry and focus. Fields like the arts place a particular emphasis on originality and creativity while engineers focus on technical skills and expertise.

No matter the industry, however, all require soft skills and hard skills to a certain extent. Soft skills are intangible, non-technical abilities, such as creativity, attitude, communication, and leadership. Hard skills can be learned and are measurable abilities, such as computer programming, writing, and speaking foreign languages.

In this article, we’ll be going over some of the most in-demand soft skills and hard skills in the business world today. Additionally we'll give you steps to take to begin developing them. These skills are based on LinkedIn Learning’s 2019 analysis of the 50,000 skills listed on the professional networking site.

Top Business Skills In Demand, business communication skills, business acumen skills, business management skills, business development skills, business writing skills, business soft skills, business administration skills, business analysis skills, critical business skills for success, business networking skills, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, Persuasion

Most In-Demand Hard Skills:

In-Demand Hard Skill #1 – Cloud Computing

In an increasingly digital world, it makes sense that a technical skill like cloud computing tops the list. Cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted online to manage, process, and store data. So, rather than storing data on your personal computer or local server, it's "in the cloud". Basically every major company in the world uses cloud computing so it’s no surprise that this business skill tops the list. Developing cloud computing capabilities requires technical training and understanding computer networking.

Online Courses

In-Demand Hard Skill #2 – Artificial Intelligence

Many predict that the next technological revolution will be led by artificial intelligence (AI). There are few industries AI will not touch, making the relatively nascent skill second on LinkedIn’s list. Top firms from Amazon to UPS are aggressively on the search for employees with the technical chops to use AI to fuel the next generation of growth.

Online Courses

Most In-Demand Soft Skills:

In-Demand Soft Skill #1 – Creativity

One of the most important - but incredibly challenging to quantify - business skills is creativity. Though often attributed to the arts, creativity in business is essential in both strategy and operations. Employees who can think outside the box are able to effectively utilize resources, excite colleagues, and ultimately, transform companies, industries, and the world.

Online Courses

In-Demand Soft Skill #2 – Persuasion

If you can’t persuade someone about your product, idea, or strategy, then it is as good as useless. Effective persuasion comes in multiple forms, including well-constructed presentations, public speaking, thoughtful listening, and communication skills. Being able to persuade others to take action or give approval is the most essential skill you'll need to succeed in entrepreneurship or the corporate world.

Online Courses

Concluding Thoughts

Just like fashion, there is a constant shifting of trends in the job market. And while it's true that you'll need to master a few core skills over the course of your career, learning new skills enables you to remain at the cutting edge of your industry, and ahead of your competition for that new job or promotion.

Related Content:

Back to blogs