How to Improve Your Business Knowledge: The Complete Guide

There are nearly 30 million small businesses throughout the United States across thousands of industries. And if this number sounds massive, it’s because it is.

You’re up against a lot of competition in today’s corporate environment. Because of this, it’s important that your business knowledge is continually growing.

But how can you keep this up? In this post, we’ll outline certain things you can do to learn more about business. Keep reading to get started.

Find a Mentor

Whether you’re brand new to business or have some years under your belt, it’s important to recognize that you don’t know everything. There’s always more to learn, ways to improve, and things you can do to optimize your operations.

With this humility, you’ll be able to truly grow and improve. That’s why our first tip is to find a mentor who can help guide you in your career.

They’ll be able to provide you with advice and support in times of need. Dealing with a difficult situation with a partner, manufacturer, or customer? A mentor who is removed from the situation will be able to offer additional insight.

To find a mentor that’s a great fit for you, start by establishing some clear goals and expectations. Do you want someone in the same industry or a different one? Do you want someone who’s a part of your company?

Are you looking for someone who will be able to help you make a career move in a few years? And do you want someone who’s local and can meet in person or are you okay with a long-distance mentorship?

Once you’ve decided on these parameters, start by looking at your own network. Who fits your criteria? Take a look at your LinkedIn connections and see who you could reach out to.

In your searches, if you come across someone who would be a great fit but who isn’t a connection, don’t be afraid to send them a message. You never know what they’ll say.

You can also talk with colleagues and coworkers to see if they have any connections that would be a great mentor for you.

Do Some Reading

Next, when it comes to growing your business knowledge, it’s time to do some reading.

There are so many great books, magazines, and websites centered around different areas of business. A quick Google search will show you how much there is to learn.

You can dive into articles from sites like Entreprenuer.com, Money.com, Bloomberg.com, or Inc.com.

And many of the world’s most successful businesspeople have written books outlining their keys to success. What an incredible resource!

Also, keep an eye out for the biographies of successful entrepreneurs. The lessons learned by reading through their memory can be life-changing.

If you don’t want to pay for books, start at your local library. There is likely an entire business section available.

Attend Educational Seminars, Conferences, and Events

Another great way to improve business knowledge? Check out educational events.

These seminars and conferences can be a treasure trove of great ideas. Most cities throughout the United States host multiple business-related events each year.

Check out your local chamber of commerce for such events. Also, look into the colleges and universities near you. They often host these types of conferences too.

If you’re interested, you can also travel to conferences and conventions across the country. While more expensive, these can offer incredible opportunities to learn from true experts and to network with all types of people.

These are also a good idea if you’re wanting to hone in on a specific type of business knowledge, like finance, marketing, or sales.

Listen to Podcasts

Here’s a great free resource: podcasts. Podcasts are similar to talk-radio shows but are hosted online and can be listened to at any time.

And there are lots of great business-focused ones out there.

Looking for in-depth interviews with top business leaders? A deep dive into a specific social media marketing topic? An update on the current state of the stock market?

You’ll be able to find a podcast for all of these things.

And the wonderful thing about this type of media is that you can listen to it while you’re doing other things. Working on a spreadsheet? Listen at your desk.

On the train or bus? Perfect chance to tune in.

Going for a run? Download a new podcast episode and you’ll learn as you exercise. Win-win.

Get a Degree

Last but not least, let’s talk about the most traditional and formal method of learning about business: going to school.

If you’re looking to truly dive into business knowledge, this is a great option. Never been to college? A Bachelor’s degree in business is a great option.

Have a Bachelor’s and want to continue? Consider an MBA (Masters of Business Administration).

Many universities offer programs designed for people with full-time jobs. So you could do your classes at night or online while still earning your salary.

In a collegiate business program, you’ll get to learn from experienced professionals and highly-trained professors. And you’ll be able to find your passion and choose a specialty you love.

Improving Your Business Knowledge

Now that you’ve read all about how to grow your business knowledge, it’s time to make a plan specific for you. Given your current circumstances, which of these methods make the most sense?

Soon, you’ll be on your way to lots of great new knowledge.

Learn more by checking our blog today.