At Neobrain, we are convinced of key role of competence to reveal all the talents hidden within a company. Skills are not only transforming the world of today, and creating the contours of tomorrow's business.
3 major challenges drive the daily life of HR teams:
- The skills shortage: According to McKinsey, 43% of companies consider themselves in deficit in this area
- The difficulties of foresight of these for tomorrow because of AI and CSR as factors of tangible change.
- The need for adaptation through sustainable and continuous means that engage employees rather than less effective one-off actions.
To address these challenges and highlight the abilities of individuals, let's start by examining How to properly define the concept of competence in business.
How do you define business skills?
The word competence comes from the low Latin word “competentia” which means “fair relationship”.
Job skills are the specific abilities and knowledge required to effectively perform the tasks and responsibilities associated with a particular job in a specific sector. These skills are strongly influenced by the sector concerned and require significant formalization work. They include both technical skills, such as mastering specialized software, and soft skills, such as time management or effective communication.
From a socio-economic point of view, competence, whether individual or collective, is directly linked to the management of human capital. It is a privileged lever for thinking about adapting to the various changes in professions, in particular through self-training, coaching or other practices adapted to each individual's learning model.
The types of business skills
- Technical skills (hard skills) : These are specific and measurable skills that are often acquired through training or practical experience. For example, computer programming, the use of accounting software, or the knowledge of medical procedures.
- Non-technical skills (Soft Skills) : These are interpersonal and behavioral qualities that facilitate interaction and cooperation at work. For example, the ability to work in a team, empathy, or negotiation skills.
- Sectoral skills : Unlike soft skills, business skills are strongly influenced by the sector concerned. For example, a salesperson selling training to professionals can transfer his skills for an Account Executive role in an HR software company, addressing a similar target of HR professionals. On the other hand, it would be more difficult for it to transpose into the retail sector, where the requirements and skills required can be very different.
Importance of business skills
Business skills are essential to ensure efficiency and performance at work. They not only make it possible to meet the specific requirements of the position, but also to adapt to the particularities and developments of the sector concerned. A solid mastery of business skills improves employability in a specific sector and opens up opportunities for professional growth within that sector.
How to identify business skills?
To identify business skills, companies can refer to business observatories and to the Operational Directory of Trades and Jobs (ROME). Analyzing tasks and responsibilities, speaking with business experts and using assessment tools are among the most effective levers.
In the professional sphere, competence is a legal term relaying the expression of the requirements of a profession. The individual therefore mobilizes his various skills in a given professional context.
You will find ways to structure the set of skills necessary for your business in our “Page”Competency categories“.
Analysis of tasks and responsibilities
Task analysis involves detailing all the specific activities of a position to identify the skills needed. This method makes it possible to understand precisely what is expected and the skills required to complete each task effectively. Using competency matrices can help visualize key competencies and organize them by proficiency level.
Interview with business experts
Consulting experts and professionals in the sector is crucial to identify business skills. Interviews can reveal tacit skills and skills that are not formalized but essential to succeed in a particular field. Structured and semi-structured interview techniques make it possible to extract detailed and relevant information.
Identification tools and methods
The use of evaluations and competency testing is an effective method for identifying the skills of employees or candidates. Analyzing job descriptions and job offers can also provide valuable insight into what skills are in demand in a specific field.
Moreover, in France at the beginning of the 90s, we witnessed the implementation of the skills assessment. Even today, its objective is to optimize employability, either in the case of access to or return to employment, or in the case of professional mobility. Human resources can also collect skills as soon as they are recruited thanks to the CV, which indicates the training and certifications obtained, but also through technical tests to validate them before taking up a position. Competence management in business is the core of related practices of HR development, performance evaluation, people review, etc...
What are the differences between job qualities and skills?
Business skills are skills specific to a job or sector, while professional qualities are personality traits and behaviors that influence the way of working.
Definition of professional qualities
Professional qualities are personality traits or behaviors that contribute to success in the workplace. Unlike skills, which are often acquired, qualities are generally traits that are inherent or developed through life experiences. For example, integrity, resilience, and intellectual curiosity are important professional qualities.
Comparison between qualities and skills
Competencies (know-how) refer to the ability to perform specific tasks, while qualities (soft skills) refer to behavior and attitude at work. For example, a software developer may have programming skills (skills) and also be a great team player (quality).
Importance of complementarity
Skills and qualities complement each other to form a complete professional. For example, a project manager should not only have planning and resource management skills, but also qualities such as patience and the ability to motivate a team. Together, they make it possible to better adapt and succeed in various professional situations.
Understand the concept of job skills through concrete situations
Professional skills, whether technical or behavioral, differ depending on a given job. Here are three examples:
- For a recruiter, we can mention skills such as very good interpersonal skills, mastery of software dedicated to recruitment or even legal knowledge to design employment contracts.
- In the case of a salesperson, we can expect him to quickly understand and master the offer or service he is selling, the power of persuasion and negotiation, the ability to analyze and the use of tools for reporting KPIs.
- Finally, if we take The example of a maintenance technician, we can mention the good knowledge of the equipment related to its sector of activity, the sense of detail for the diagnosis of breakdowns, the knowledge of safety rules and the sense of teamwork.
In summary, Understanding the concept of competence is the first essential step to master before they can be identified and structured within a company. This good understanding concerns management, HR staff, managers and especially each employee, for whom it will be easier to carry out a self-assessment based on a good understanding. Skills and aspirations are inseparable, learn about these essential factors in mobility with our Page”Evaluate skills and aspirations“.
How to maintain the skills of your trades?
Continuing education
Continuing education is essential for maintaining and improving business skills. It allows professionals to stay up to date with new technologies, best practices and developments in the sector. Options include online courses, seminars, workshops, and certifications.
Technological and sectoral monitoring
Staying up to date with the latest trends and advancements in your field is crucial. Technology and sector intelligence involves following blogs, professional journals, webinars, and conferences. This makes it possible to quickly identify innovations and changes in professional practices.
Skills assessment and updating
It is important to assess employee skills regularly to identify gaps and opportunities for development. Assessments can be formal (like exams or certifications) or informal (like self-assessments or feedback from colleagues). A personal development plan helps set training goals and track progress.
