This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 14, 2020 - December 20, 2020

Almost a year into the pandemic, people have found pockets of free time, thanks to not having to battle traffic to get from one place to another and/or the automation of many business processes. This precious time can be used for something productive such as upskilling to meet the challenges of a market in a constant state of flux that will not end anytime soon.  Here are some useful skills for entrepreneurs to look at:

THE WHAT

Rhetoric is basically the art of using words to convince someone of something. This study dates back to the time of Aristotle, the Greek philosopher who divided rhetoric into three modes — ethos, logos and pathos — or the appeal to ethics, emotion and logic.

THE WHY

Rhetoric can teach an entrepreneur how to persuade investors, customers and other stakeholders to get onboard with the company’s brand, product or business model. It can also be used to boost employee morale and maintain friendly relations with business partners, thereby opening the door to future opportunities.

Despite its importance, rhetoric is rarely taught in our primary and secondary schools. However, entrepreneurs can learn these skills through books, philosophy courses or online resources.

RESOURCES

Books

The Art of Rhetoric by Aristotle

The Art of Persuasion: Winning Without Intimidation by Bob Burg

How to Win an Argument by Marcus 

Tullius Cicero

Youtube channels

TED-Ed

The School of Life

Freedom in Thought

Websites

Harvard Online Course

THE WHAT

Python is a programming language commonly used by programmers and data scientists for software and web development, mathematics and system scripting. 

It can be used on most personal computer (PC) devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux and Raspberry Pi. The programming language has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its readability and the fact that it is easy to learn and pick up.

THE WHY

Entrepreneurs do not need to be experts in Python to use the language for practical purposes. Even understanding the basics will allow users to automate mundane office tasks and even modify open-source code freely available on the internet to solve an immediate business problem.

For advanced users, additional tools such as pyBrain can be used to run machine learning programmes for predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) projects. It is a useful skill for entrepreneurs who wish to future-proof themselves or for the MacGyvers who typically solve problems unconventionally.

RESOURCES

Youtube channels

freeCodeCamp.org

Programming with Mosh

Websites

Wiki.python.org

python.org

THE WHAT

Product photography is the art of presenting your product in the best possible light, both figuratively and literally. Great photos can even be taken using a smartphone, without the need for a DSLR (digital single lens reflex), expensive lighting equipment or large space. 

THE WHY

Product photography might seem like an optional skill, but it is becoming increasingly necessary, especially for companies that conduct their business online or through e-commerce platforms. Those doing business online need to draw the eye of the potential customer amid intense market competition, and a good picture could be the difference between a sale and being overlooked.

RESOURCES

Youtube videos

DIY Product Photos — Easy, Cheap and Good-looking by Luke Ayers

Shooting beauty products at home by Mabel Lee

Inspiration

Instagram

Behance

Professional portfolio websites

THE WHAT

Financial literacy is the understanding and effective use of various financial skills, including business financial management, budgeting and investing. It also extends to the understanding of financial terms and documents, such as profit loss statements and compound annual growth rate.

THE WHY

The proprietors of small and micro businesses need to have more than just basic accounting knowledge if they want to grow. For example, they need to keep abreast of local tax laws to be able to maximise their tax benefits.

Understanding the complex nature of their own finances will give entrepreneurs a better understanding of the state of their own businesses, allowing them to make much more informed business decisions.

RESOURCES

Publications

The Edge Malaysia 

Forbes

Youtube channels

Economics Explained

The Plain Bagel

Websites

Investopedia 

The Motley Fool

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