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A strong understanding of business principles can be valuable in nearly any professional setting, regardless of industry or job title. Developing skills in areas such as communication, organization, problem-solving, and leadership can help you perform effectively in your current role while preparing you for future career opportunities.

Understanding which business skills employers value most can also help you choose an educational path that supports your professional goals and long-term growth.

Employers Want More Than a Business Credential

Employers across all fields are navigating an increasingly complex landscape, and they are looking for more than just degree titles. They want to hire professionals who not only have a strong business foundation but can also manage organizational challenges and technological changes.

The top business skills that employers look for are not limited to practical skills like technical proficiency or financial literacy. Employers also value core competencies such as problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Business Skills and Organizational Skills Work Together

While practical business skills may not be the primary concern of the hiring team, a strong business foundation still matters. Employers want to know that candidates can build upon that foundation to effectively communicate and collaborate in a dynamic workplace environment.

Why These Skills Matter Across Industries

Organizations need employees who can make positive and impactful contributions, particularly in a changing landscape. There is a greater demand for agile and resilient professionals who can support daily operations while still considering the larger picture.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Often referred to as one of the most valuable workplace skills, critical thinking requires individuals to rely on their professional experience, personal observations, and analytical skills to make informed decisions. In the coming years, nearly every industry will be reshaped by advances in automated technology, meaning many day-to-day tasks will likely be streamlined. In the absence of this type of work, employees will need to be able to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop new solutions.

Why Employers Value These Skills

Organizations are becoming increasingly dependent on employees who can thoughtfully evaluate situations and make informed, evidence-based decisions. These are the professionals who can resolve complex challenges and drive innovation in the workplace.

How Neumann’s Program Supports This Skill Set

The Bachelor of Science in Business and Organizational Studies (BS in Business and Organizational Studies) includes targeted coursework designed to help students think more critically and analytically in professional settings. Courses such as Decision-Making & Problem-Solving incorporate current research on reasoning and problem-solving, helping students understand how to better interpret information to support their decision-making.

Communication Skills in Business

Communication skills continue to rank as the most highly valued abilities in business environments, with employers actively searching for professionals who can communicate clearly, accurately, consistently, and professionally.

Writing and Presentation Skills Matter in the Workplace

There’s no doubt that effective communication drives results. Employers want professionals who have strong written communication skills, as these individuals are able to better convey ideas and present information.

How the Program Builds Communication Competence

Communication skill development is embedded in Neumann's BS in Business and Organizational Studies program. Students develop effective writing skills through targeted coursework and build presentation skills through applied learning experiences.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Most professionals will find themselves working in diverse teams, requiring them to connect with people from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. Collaboration and teamwork are necessary in modern business settings where interdisciplinary partnerships are becoming the norm.

Employers Need People Who Work Well with Others

The modern workplace is a collaborative environment, with most people working in team-based settings and completing shared projects. Employers value professionals who are able to collaborate effectively and improve coordination efforts.

How Students Build Team-Based Skills

At Neumann, students complete specialized coursework such as High Performance Work Teams, which covers both internal and external team dynamics. Through this coursework, students learn strategies for improving collaboration, managing group interactions, and supporting effective team performance in professional settings.

Adaptability and Managing Change

Change has become the standard in the workplace, as organizations across industries are constantly working to adapt to advancing technology, shifting employee expectations, and volatile market conditions. Adaptability and resilience are key survival strategies, and employers need workers who can navigate evolving circumstances with ease.

Why Adaptability Is a Core Business Skill

Organizations are constantly responding to changing workplace demands, which has increased the need for an adaptable and agile workforce. Today's professionals need to be able to do more than navigate change; they need to look strategically toward the future to improve organizational resilience.

How the Program Connects to Change Management

As part of the BS in Business and Organizational Studies program, students complete a Managing Change course. This prepares students to both navigate disruption and lead change effectively within their organizations.

Understanding Organizational Dynamics

Organizational dynamics are playing an increasingly powerful role in shaping workplaces, and businesses want to hire professionals who have a strong understanding of organizational studies.

Why Employers Value Organizational Awareness

Organizational awareness refers to the ability to identify and interpret workplace dynamics, relationships, and power structures. Employers often prefer professionals who understand team dynamics and workplace behavior, as they are better equipped to make valuable contributions.

How the Program Builds This Perspective

Students at Neumann evaluate organizational dynamics through multiple perspectives. Understanding different viewpoints prepares them to participate effectively in diverse teams.

Ethical Judgment and Professional Responsibility

Professionalism in the current landscape is not just about interacting appropriately in work environments. It also demands a higher level of responsibility, requiring employees to make sound, ethical decisions in all aspects of their work.

Employers Look for Sound Judgment

Organizations want to hire candidates who know how to handle workplace challenges thoughtfully. A strong sense of judgment and the ability to gauge workplace dynamics can support better decision-making in the workplace.

How Neumann Supports Ethical and Professional Growth

Providing a values-based education, Neumann directly supports personal growth. For example, students complete a Social and Ethical Responsibility course in which they evaluate case studies and detailed analyses to explore the role of ethical principles in day-to-day decision-making.

How Neumann’s Program Connects These Skills to Career Growth

The BS in Business and Organizational Studies degree provides a comprehensive, industry-aligned curriculum that supports the development of key business skills that employers value most.

A Degree Completion Program Built for Working Adults

This innovative educational pathway is a fully online, accelerated degree completion program designed for adult learners and working professionals who want to earn their bachelor's degree. By focusing on key transferable skills, this program appeals to students across a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Learning Outcomes That Match Employer Expectations

The learning outcomes of this program focus on the business and organizational skills that are in demand in modern workplace environments. Graduates not only have a strong sense of business acumen but are also proficient in problem-solving, communication, writing, and organizational awareness.

Coursework That Builds Practical Workplace Skills

Experiential learning anchors coursework, promoting the development of critical business and interpersonal workplace skills. Courses such as Decision-Making & Problem-Solving, Creativity and Innovation, Managing Change, High Performance Work Teams, and Operations Management help students expand their understanding and apply leading business practices to real-world organizational challenges.

Build Business and Organizational Skills at Neumann

Neumann University's Bachelor of Science in Business and Organizational Studies is an accelerated degree completion program that emphasizes the skills employers look for, preparing adult learners to pursue leadership roles in business. The curriculum for this program is rooted in business studies, and through applied learning experiences, students learn to transform standard business practices into innovative, new processes.

Request more information about the BS in Business and Organizational Studies, and apply to Neumann University today.