Back to basics: Skills to succeed in a digital world

As the UK becomes a powerhouse of digital skills and innovation, businesses need to ensure skills are at the top of the workplace agenda. Digital recruitment specialist Forward Role Recruitment has spoken to a number of industry experts to get the low-down on the kind of skills employees need to succeed in a digital world.

1. Attention to detail
   Having an eye for the finer details is handy in many industries, digital being one of them. Co-founder and Grey Matter specialist Larry Kotch of digital growth consultant BrainBroker offers this advice: “One of the most important skills needed is attention to detail. Often in digital marketing, especially in the context of a growing/ambitious company, you need to tweak and tweak and tweak. Whether it’s trying to get your material effectively across to customers on different online channels or it’s tweaking the content within each campaign.” The ability to notice things that others may miss can set you apart from the crowd.

2. Perseverance
   Next on the list is perseverance. It is evidence of a focused, headstrong mindset. Larry Kotch commented on how perseverance will benefit those working in digital companies. “It’s an exercise in steadily increasing ROI and requires a mindset that is inquisitive and persevering to get the right results. People who want quick wins and get frustrated when their first attempts aren’t successful will find it difficult to succeed.”

3. Flexibility
   Digital is fast-paced and if you’re not moving with the tide you may find it difficult to stay afloat. Between new tools, strategies and technologies, there is a lot to keep up with. Mitch Labiak of digital marketer Exposure Ninja explains: “I think flexibility is key, too. So much of my work is about handling several leads at a time on behalf of several different clients. Added to that, you have to account for the unexpected. Sometimes the editor no longer wants the article, sometimes the client drops out, and sometimes people just forget to read their emails. These things happen and, at times like that, it’s important to keep moving forward.” Working flexibly, having back-up plans and being open to new ideas are all central to digital success.

4. Know your tools (and be computer literate)
   It’s important that you’re open-minded about trying out new tools and technical processes – the systems you use to get data can be integral. Commenting on the tools of the trade, Preeti Vadgama, Digital Marketing Manager at Ideas Made says: “Get to know how online communication elements work – the ins and outs of Gmail, Skype, Twitter, Facebook, Excel, etc. It sounds basic but you’ll be using these on a day-to-day basis and you don’t want to be spending time Googling how to do it.”