At 47 I’ve had more than my fair share time in corporate America. About 20 years ago I found my current career path in supply chain operations. In that time I’ve worked my way up to a director level positions and have held just about every position in supply chain from dock hand loading trucks to purchasing & inventory control to running the entire supply chain (sourcing, purchasing, warehousing, logistics) for a multi-national consumer products manufacturer.
I guess you could say at this point I have some niche expertise in the business world. Before my I found this niche in operations I held a myriad of jobs including retails sales associate, car salesman, call center customer service representative, home health aide, and was even a behavioral science counselor in the Army. At times I feel like I am sort of a jack of all trades but I do realize my weaknesses.
I am somewhat of an introvert and have to really push myself to be outgoing and put myself out there with people. While I have been successful (slow lane style) in Sales and have a decent knowledge of sales techniques and even hold a marketing degree I know sales is not my greatest strength. However, having been in operations so long and seeing so many not so smart people become successful in sales, I’m wondering what is the hardest skill to master in business. Knowing that most of the people on here are entrepreneurs with small businesses and wearing multiple hats with your business what do you find is the hardest skill to become proficient in?
Aside from direct technical skills (i.e. coding) what is the hardest part of your business to master?
Sales?
Accounting?
Operations functions (i.e. sourcing, inventory management, logistics)?
Marketing?
Finance?
Something else?
I guess you could say at this point I have some niche expertise in the business world. Before my I found this niche in operations I held a myriad of jobs including retails sales associate, car salesman, call center customer service representative, home health aide, and was even a behavioral science counselor in the Army. At times I feel like I am sort of a jack of all trades but I do realize my weaknesses.
I am somewhat of an introvert and have to really push myself to be outgoing and put myself out there with people. While I have been successful (slow lane style) in Sales and have a decent knowledge of sales techniques and even hold a marketing degree I know sales is not my greatest strength. However, having been in operations so long and seeing so many not so smart people become successful in sales, I’m wondering what is the hardest skill to master in business. Knowing that most of the people on here are entrepreneurs with small businesses and wearing multiple hats with your business what do you find is the hardest skill to become proficient in?
Aside from direct technical skills (i.e. coding) what is the hardest part of your business to master?
Sales?
Accounting?
Operations functions (i.e. sourcing, inventory management, logistics)?
Marketing?
Finance?
Something else?
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