Making the (Business) Grade

Learning doesn't end with school. No matter what type of business you're in, you owe it to yourself stay educated--in your field and in the area of general business management.

Although we know it's important, it's hard to keep up with everything else we have going on. So, here are a few tips to stay a cut above the rest in the age of information overload:

Partner up

Encourage someone outside of your field to come in and run through your latest promotion, marketing plan or sales tactic. As an outsider, this person will see things from a different view and ask important questions that you may not have seen otherwise. Their suggestions may get you thinking in ways you wouldn't have in the past.

Read books inside your industry and out

I make it a point to read one "business" book after every "fun" book on my list. Even when I'm reading books that don't specifically tie in to my industry, I tend to find new nuggets of information that I can apply to what I do. Some of my favorites this year are "Bossypants" by Tina Fey, "Engage!" by Brian Solis and "The Thank You Economy" by Gary Vaynerchuk. I also use GoodReads as a way to keep track of books I've read and books I want to read.

Set up subscriptions

Subscribe to business blogs, set up an RSS (really simple syndication) reader or follow industry trade publications online or offline. Even if you don't have time to read through them all, set your subscriptions and browse through them once a week. Scan headlines and stop to skim through articles that seem worthy of your time or pertinent to your industry. Use a social bookmarking site to keep track of articles you like or that can be helpful down the road.

Get outside and mingle

Attend workshops, conferences and seminars that are in your specific field and that cover general business knowledge and information. You don't always have time to be an expert in all things. Think of it as paying an employee to do the tasks you do not have time for (or are not the best at). Attend education sessions not only to learn about ideas and trends that will help you push forward but to network with other like-minded people and leaders in your field and beyond (keep reading and I may know of one coming to a town near you).

Set a networking goal

Whether it's meeting one new person a month or doing regular informational interviews with others in your industry, set a goal to talk with others who do similar tasks as you. Don't think of it as a sales tactic and don't go in to these meetings and coffee gatherings as a means to get something; talk freely about the successes and hardships you're experiencing. Support is essential in all areas of life, especially in business.

Share your knowledge

It's easier to retain new information when you share it with others. Treat your business education like you would your children's school day (you know, "How was your day? What did you learn?" Tell someone how your day went and what you learned. And if no one is around? Take five minutes at the end of your week and jot down one or two new things you learned and how they apply to your business.

Melissa is principal at Allée, a communications consulting and creative services firm in Albertville. Reach her via email or onTwitter. Patch readers are also encouraged to join her at the B4 Small Business Planning Workshop in Albertville on August 9. Even better? Get $10 off your registration by using the following code: Patch10.