6 Skills You Need as a Business Office Administrator
CEOs and vice presidents may make the big decisions for their companies, but it’s the office administrators who keep things running smoothly. To work in business office administration, you need to be well-organized and efficient. You need to manage projects, communicate well, and be a rock star with technology. And you need the ability to think on your feet, finding solutions to problems as quickly and effectively as possible.
1. Business Administrators Need Excellent Communication Skills
Communication continually ranks as the most important skill you need to succeed in business. As a Business Office Administrator, you are often a first point of contact for your organization. You may greet people as they enter the office, answer phones, or correspond via email; all of which require good communication and interpersonal skills. You also need exceptional listening and comprehension skills so you can take notes and relay important information to other team members.
2. Importance of Good Organization for Business Administration
Staying on-task and well-organized can positively impact everything you do as a Business Office Administrator. You need to be at the right place at the right time, find files and documents when you need them, respond quickly to requests, and anticipate the needs of your team. And you need to effectively manage projects.
3. Project Management in Business Administration
Solid project management skills mean you can initiate, plan, create, and follow through on tasks, making sure to enlist all the key players. You plan ahead, manage your resources, work effectively with other members of your team, note milestones, and adjust goals as necessary. And there will be plenty of projects to keep you busy. You might need to vet new vendors, set up databases, or prepare presentations, just to name a few.
4. Business Administrators Are Tech Savvy
Modern offices are run by modern technology. That means you will need to be able to navigate the internet and be familiar with computers and software like Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Office Suite includes applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These tools allow you to correspond via email, create and edit documents, work with spreadsheets, and create presentations for your organization. They can come in handy when you need to type up a memo, keep track of office supply inventory, or print out important documents for meetings. You may also need to understand your company’s accounting software or billing systems. The more comfortable you are with computers, the better you’ll be able to do your job.
5. Business Administrators Use Critical Thinking
Are you a good problem solver? Being able to make decisions based on facts and evidence will help you figure out what’s best for any given situation. Maybe you need to make decisions at the start of a new project or find ways to get past obstacles. Or maybe you need to decide the best vendor to hire. Consider what you need, ask the right questions, and get ready to make recommendations based on what you learn. It’s important that you hone your critical thinking skills and practice sound judgment to evaluate circumstances for the benefit of your company.
6. Business Administrators Provide Excellent Customer Service
Regardless of where you are an office administrator, you will need to interact well with your customers or clients. Whether you are meeting an existing client or you’re on the phone with potential buyers, you must handle these situations professionally, work to build a strong relationship with the customer, and present information in a clear and concise way. Quality customer service can make or break a business so it’s important to develop these skills early on in your career.
Do you want to hone your business skills? Contact Charter College today. We offer several Business Programs that can teach you what you need to find entry-level work in the field. Learn online for flexibility and convenience. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more now.