If you aspire to work in business administration, you will first need to hone your business analyst skills. Every career requires a special skill set, but for business analyst jobs, the skills you will need are even more versatile than those required in other professions.
Learning business analyst skills will help you excel in many positions within a company. Being well-organized and knowing how to manage finances will improve your work life. It also helps to be a skilled negotiator. Read on to learn more skills to become a successful business analyst.
What Does a Business Analyst Do?
A business analyst should possess the right skills to help organizations and businesses run smoothly. They lead and assist in research designed to analyze a business’s processes.
After conducting research, business analysts use the data they have collected to identify problems within a business and suggest possible solutions. These solutions may involve applying new systems and technology or initiating new policies and practices. Either way, it is safe to say business analyst positions are crucial to keeping a business running.
Key Business Analyst Skills
Negotiation
Being good at negotiating is an important skill for all business analysts to have. Explaining problems and potential solutions is a big part of the job, so it is also good to be able to negotiate with them to find the solution that is best for them.
For example, if there is an issue with the technology a company is using and the best solution is to upgrade, a business analyst may need to negotiate between the client and the technology manufacturer. You should be able to secure a deal that is financially viable for your client, keeping them and the tech producers happy.
Financial Planning
Business analysts spend a lot of time working with finances. From conducting research and analyzing financial data to predicting future expenses and revenue, you can see that this aspect of the job is time-consuming.
Helping businesses plan their finances is the key to success, especially in situations where a company may need to implement costly new products or technology. You can work on this skill by carefully managing your own finances, or even by taking a course at a local community college. You can also find financial planning and management classes for free online.
Technological Savvy
A big part of working with any business is being able to use a variety of information technology. When researching, you may need to use technology that you are unfamiliar with. Being tech-savvy and having a basic understanding of many software programs will help you adapt to new companies.
Most of us know the basics of Microsoft Office and Google applications, but ensuring you understand how to use other applications, software, and devices is important as well. To master your technical skills, you should consider taking a few online courses.
Leadership
Business analysts help guide companies through periods of change. Often, as a business analyst, you may identify a problem that a business owner is completely unaware of. If you are a good leader, it will make these tricky conversations much easier.
Many people conflate having a position of power with good leadership skills. However, to be a successful leader, you need to be able to recognize that you are a part of the team even if you are guiding it. Making connections with colleagues and motivating them rather than berating or talking down to them is the best way to demonstrate leadership.
Decisiveness
Decision-making can be difficult, but as a business analyst, you must be confident in your choices. Besides gathering and analyzing data, you will also be making suggestions to the company you are working with. It is up to you to decide the best way to conduct research and what solutions you will suggest to your client.
The organization you are working for will almost always have the final say in the matter, but you will be in charge of many smaller decisions along the way. If your client sees that their business analyst is hesitating or struggling with decision-making, it will breed doubt that could damage your chances of success.
Organization
Organization is a universal skill. Being well-organized will help in every aspect of your life. As a business analyst, being able to stay organized is crucial to the effectiveness of your work.
In this job, you will likely find yourself sorting through quite a bit of data, along with requirements and requests from clients, and lists of suggested areas for improvement. Keeping these tasks in order will be an absolute lifesaver when it comes time to present your findings.
Communication Skills
Last but not least, you will need to have good communication skills. Not only is this vital to setting up and conducting research properly, but it is also necessary to accurately present your findings.
Being fluent in many forms of communication is important. You may be fantastic at verbal communication, but not so great when it comes to written communication. As we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, you never know how you will have to communicate, and being able to do so effectively across all platforms is a practical skill to have.
Conclusion: Develop Problem Solving Skills as Part of Your Business Analyst Skill Set
If you want to become a business analyst, these skills and problem-solving skills are essential. Even if you think you might end up in a different field, mastering a few of these business analyst skills can make you a more successful employee.
If you are questioning if these skills will apply to your future, it is safe to assume that most of them will. They will either help you in your workplace, personal life, or both. It never hurts to learn new skills.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
