When you ask professionals about the most important hard skills, communication almost always tops the list. The ability to strategize, set goals, and discuss solutions is critical to any business. In fact, millions of dollars can be lost annually due to poor communication. This is why communication skills remain highly sought after. According to Wiley’s Closing the Skills Gap 2023 report, digital communication skills are the second most in-demand technical skill and communication more broadly—including written, oral, and presentation—remains among the top soft skills sought after by companies.
The Changing Landscape of Communication
With the workplace evolving rapidly in the past five years—due to more remote work and AI integration—the methods of effective communication are also changing. “Skills today can generally get outmoded in about three to five years and so that means that we need to upskill really often,” says Angie Kamath, dean of the NYU School of Professional Studies.
One way to stay ahead of the curve is to explore business communication courses. These used to focus on writing professional emails, research reports, and creating effective presentations. However, in today’s digital era, the focus has shifted towards data analytics, customer communication, social impact, and social media. According to the Pew Research Center, 30% of adult social media users have purchased a product after seeing it on social media—with the number rising if it is mentioned by a content creator they follow.
Upskilling in the Digital Age
This shift has been so broad and impactful that integrated marketing has become the most popular master’s program that NYU’s professional studies school offers. Kamath suggests that for those deeply involved in the marketing and communications space, upskilling via a graduate program could be a great opportunity.
For others, completing a certification program or even taking a one-off communication course could be an effective way to learn the most up-to-date practices—especially in the wake of new technology. “So, we often try to help people understand how to use technology—flavor of the month or flavor for year is AI—but how to use technology to enhance what you’re doing from a communications standpoint,” Kamath tells Fortune.
Human Dynamics in the Workforce
Alongside technological changes, human dynamics have also evolved in the workforce. Factors like gender, diversity, aging, hybridity, and Gen Z have significantly influenced communication methods. Kamath emphasizes that stepping out of your algorithm is crucial to learning new ideas and having meaningful conversations. “Whether it’s in our job life or work life or personal life like social media, is sucking us in,” she adds. “We get to be in our echo chamber because the algorithm is telling us what to consume.”
In conclusion, the good news is that there are a variety of program lengths, costs, requirements, and focuses available for those looking to upskill in business communication. Whether you’re interested in certification or just a one-off course, there’s something out there to fit your modern career goals and personal circumstances. As Forbes states, it’s important to choose an offering that best addresses your interests and learning desires within three large skill buckets: human, business-enabling, and technical. This is the key to improving your communication skills in the evolving workforce.
