By Dominic Fitch

Published 30th May 2023, 06:00 BST

Having strong time management is something that every employee should strive towards, as it remains a key skill that employers will look for. Time management has long been an important aspect to an employee’s skill set, but is perhaps more so with the emergence of remote working in recent years. Employers must be able to trust staff to get on with their work and be productive without having to watch over their shoulder. Though remote working is commonplace and often beneficial, it only works if staff are as organised and time efficient as if they were working in a traditional office environment.

Time management is important to hit deadlines, and generally to meet the overall needs and expectations of the company.

As well as this, many companies are operating with smaller workforces, and it is imperative that staff have their day organised, so they are working as efficiently and productively as possible.

Dominic Fitch is head of creative change at Impact International.

Some people find decision making a nerve-racking proposition. However, employers value people who can show decisiveness and make those tough decisions. Sometimes, difficult choices need to be made, and it can take a certain type of individual to get this done effectively. This skill sets a person out in a business as an effective worker and someone who gets things done. These are key traits to possess, particularly when looking to progress and work up a business.

Employers very much do look however at an applicant’s collaboration skills, and how they will implement this throughout the business.

It is crucial that in times of remote working, colleagues still display willingness to collaborate with others across the business. Utilising platforms including Teams and Zoom to do so can build the ethos of an office environment, with remote staff. Managers can help build skills and increase the amount of collaboration within the workplace by holding regular company catch-ups and encouraging team lunches and activities. In a changing world, it is important that businesses and employees are able to adapt to the changes taking place around them. As we saw during the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns, businesses had to be agile and change - and so did members of staff.

As businesses faced periods of furlough, working remotely and in smaller teams, people needed to change with what was happening. This included getting to grips with technology to have meetings rather than face to face communication - which is still an important skill to have. Though the world has settled down to a new sense of normality, there are still changes that people must adapt to. This can be technological, processes and business practices.

By showing a willingness to adapt, employees can stand out in very crowded markets as they strive for success.

If you want to progress in your career, you must keep learning and developing yourself within the business. It is important not to rest on your laurels and it is important also for managers and leaders to coach, nurture and develop skills.

Dominic Fitch is head of creative change at Impact International.

The skills that workers need to succeed in today’s environment - Dominic Fitch