Top Twelve Skills for 2012

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Jim Hanlin, Ph.D., President & Founder of Best Training Resources LLCJanuary 2012
As we move into 2012, what skills are most relevant and most valued bycompanies and for individuals in order to excel and prosper in thisunpredictable economy? Let's take a look at the top 12 skills organizations andpeople need to achieve success in the US and global economies. We will focus onsome of the most sought after technical, business, social, and personalproficiencies that create human capital value for corporations and enhance theemployability and success of individuals. We'll also identify some of the mostvalued and recognized professional certifications.
Since the US and global economies rely heavily on information technology(IT), six of the "Top 12 Skills for 2012are related to the IT industry.
1. Network Administration.The skills needed to understand, build, implement, maintain, support, andcontinuously improve data and voice networks are in great demand. Networkadministration skills range from basic to specialized disciplines to networkoperating systems to vendor-specific competencies. Some of the more recognizedand valued network administration certifications include:

• CompTIA A+ Certification
• CompTIA Network+ Certification
• Wireshark® Certified Network Analyst
• CENT - Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician
• CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate
• CCNP - Cisco Certified Network Professional
• CWNA® - Certified Wireless Network Administrator
• CWTS® - Certified Wireless Technology Specialist
• CWDPTM - Certified Wireless Design Professional
• CWAP® - Certified Wireless Analysis Professional
  

2. IT SecurityCyber security is a vital concern for corporations, government agencies,military, and academic institutions. IT security professionals must developfundamental skills needed to understand the numerous threats and hacking methodsas well as vendor-specific competencies required to protect networks, data,hardware, and software. The emergence of cloud computing and virtualization hasenhanced the attention being paid to IT security. Some of the acknowledged ITsecurity certifications include:

• CCNA Security
• CCNP Security - Cisco Certified Network Professional Security
• CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker
• CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor
• CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• CompTIA Security+ Certification
• CWSP® - Certified Wireless Security Professional
• RHCSS - Red Hat® Certified Security Specialist
  

3. Cloud Technology/VirtualizationOrganizations are moving to cloud computing and virtualization to takeadvantage of financial and operational benefits of these technologies. Inaddition to understanding the fundamental concepts of working with cloudcomputing platforms and virtualization, practitioners must be able to understandand manage the security and compliance implications. Cloud/virtualizationprofessionals plan, implement, and manage vendor-specific virtualizationplatforms, such as VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V, or support the strategicuse of storage and data center solutions, such as Cisco's Nexus platform. Someof the valued cloud technology/virtualization certifications include:

• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)
• Cisco Data Center Application Services Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist
• Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) for Citrix XenApp 6
• EMC Cloud Architect Specialist - Virtualized Infrastructure (EMCCA)
  

4. Project ManagementMost businesses require the skills of project managers to direct the tasks,resources, and people involved in implementing and completing complicatedprojects. This is especially true for major IT projects that involve complicatedprocesses, numerous interrelated activities, a variety of resources, and teamsof people. IT projects also typically involve rigorous completion schedules,tight budget requirements, high quality standards, and proven practices andprocesses. Businesses and individuals value the skills of project managers andsupport those who have taken the appropriate training, especially those who haveearned PMP® (Professional Management Professional) certification.
5. Desktop Support/IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL®)Computers dominate our personal and office environments, and virtualworkstations are becoming more prevalent as improved communication technologiesand remote access to corporate resources become more viable and reliable. Theskills, knowledge, and abilities to plan, configure, troubleshoot, and repairdesktop computers, laptops, peripheral devices, applications software, andnetwork operating systems are essential for organizations and individuals.Desktop support professionals require technical skills. They also need customerservice and service management competencies and other soft skills necessary tocommunicate with users and to help teach them to be more self-sufficient inaddressing computer problems. One of the most valuable and popular skills setsfor IT services professionals is represented by the IT Infrastructure Library™(ITIL®). ITIL is the international standard for best practices in IT ServiceManagement and provides a framework for identifying, planning, delivering, andsupporting IT services to the business. Some of the more accepted desktopsupport and ITIL® certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
• HDI Desktop Support Manager (HDI-DSM)
• HDI Desktop Support Technician (HDI-DST)
• HDI Support Center Analyst (HDI-SCA)
• HDI Support Center Director (HDI-SCD)
• ITIL® v3 Certifications
  

6. Programming and Application DevelopmentBusiness and personal success in the IT industry is often a direct result ofthe ability to develop innovative and useful applications. Applications can bedriven by user needs and new technologies, or IT professionals can create demandby developing novel programs. For example, who would have thought that the worldneeded Twitter? Applications are developed by those proficient in programmingfor the Internet, networks, the cloud, and mobile platforms; for public orprivate use; for businesses, government, academia, and individuals; and/or forgeneral or specific industries. Programming and application development skillscontinue to be in great demand by a variety of organizations and presentprofessional entrepreneurial opportunities for talented IT professionals.
Some of the more recognized and valued programming and application developmentcertifications include:

• Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW)
• MCAD - Microsoft Certified Application Developer
• IBM Certified Application Developer
• IBM Certified Solution Developer
• SAS Certified Base Programmer
• SCJP - Sun Certified Java Programmer
• Oracle9i PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional (OCP)
  

While IT is a significant segment of the US and global economies, there arebusiness, technical, social, personal, communication, management, and otherskills that are crucial to a variety of industries in 2012. The following six ofthe "Top 12 Skills for 2012are essential for success of many organizationsand for individuals in many professions in today's marketplace.
7. LeadershipEvery organization needs leaders, and leadership qualities are, perhaps, themost important asset that a person can have to excel in business and in life.Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and they have varying styles. All leadersseem to possess that elusive "itthat allows them to influence people and toaccomplish goals. There are differing opinions on what characteristics make upleadership. Some of the most commonly accepted attributes of leaders are:integrity, visionary, strategic, motivator, trustworthy, negotiator, mentor,team-builder, communicator, listener, charismatic, passionate, intelligent,creative, critical thinker, decision-maker, persuasive, adaptable, planner,networking/relationships.
Some think that leaders are born rather than developed through experience andtraining; however, many of the skills that comprise leadership can certainly belearned. Leadership training is valued and supported by most corporations and byindividuals aspiring to roles as executives, team leaders, managers, and othercoveted professional positions. Most universities offer leadership certificateprograms through executive education and graduate school programs.

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8. Business AcumenExcelling in the world of business requires a "big pictureunderstandingof the financial, accounting, marketing, and operational functions of anorganization and the ability to make intelligent strategic decisions that resultin proper and profitable outcomes. The complex set of personal attributes,experience, and knowledge needed to deal effectively with various businesssituations make up business acumen, a skill set that is becoming even moremultifaceted in our global business environment. Those who can develop thebusiness savvy and sense needed to deal effectively and decisively with businessissues are critical to the successful performance of organizations andindividuals in many business situations. Developing business acumen requires acombination of experience and training. Participation in MBA and executiveeducation programs, along with company-based courses, mentoring, and careermanagement plans, are ways that companies and people employ to develop businessacumen.
9. Innovation/CreativityNew and improved products, services, processes, and practices are theingredients for success for many businesses. Those who can "think outsideof the boxand have the abilities to formulate ideas; manage innovationinitiatives; and elaborate, refine, analyze, evaluate, and communicate ideas tomaximize business results are invaluable to their companies. Innovation andcreativity can take a variety of forms; they can involve ideas that may beconsidered small or those that are game-changers for an organization. Creativitymight involve something as simple as a new pricing strategy or as encompassingas a shift in manufacturing outsourcing strategy. Can innovation and creativitybe taught or are people born with imagination and vision? Well, it's probably acombination of both innate and learned skills. Brainstorming is certainly alearned method of generating creative ideas, as are focus groups and customerpanels. Regardless of how innovative and creative capabilities are developed,they are at the core of successful businesses and people in today's rapidlychanging marketplace.
10. Financial AwarenessIndividuals at almost every professional level need to be financiallyliterate to positively contribute to business success. Financial literacyinvolves an understanding of financial concepts and terminology, includingbudgeting, justification of personnel and capital investments, and preparationof business proposals. Employees benefit from knowing the implications ofincome, expense, profits, cash flow, accruals, write-offs, depreciation, andother financial and accounting principles. Certifications financialprofessionals include Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified PersonalFinance Counselor® (CPFC®), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and severalothers, depending on the area of financial concentration. There are no widelyrecognized certifications for basic financial awareness for non-financialprofessionals; however, there are many courses offered to help people developfinancial literacy , which is one of the highest ranking skill sets a person candevelop to enhance his or her career.
11. Selling and Communications SkillsIn many companies, the top sales person earns more compensation than thehighest-ranking executives. This seemingly incongruent compensation structureindicates the importance of sales and communications skills to business. There'sa common saying, "You can have the best product in world but if you can'tsell it, it's worthless.There are several approaches to selling, and the skillset that makes a good sales/communications professional vary according to theapplicable product, service, and/or industry. The following are commonattributes associated with accomplished sales and communications professionals:self-confidence, planning, good listening, questioning, persuasiveness,relationship building, self-motivation, passion, integrity, commitment, productknowledge, good verbal and written presentation, time management, negotiation,and public speaking. Another saying that may be even more apropos for all of usto remember is, "Everyone in a company should be a salesperson"!
12. Technology ApplicationIn a global business environment dominated by technology, it's important thatindividuals, regardless of position, understand the application of technology totheir specific business function(s) as well as the potential for existing andemerging technologies to contribute to performance improvement. For example,sales and marketing professionals must be aware of how customer relationshipmanagement (CRM) software, along with web-based social networking applications(Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube), can help them increase revenue. CEOs, CFOs,COOs, and other managers need to understand how enterprise resource planning (ERP)software and cloud technology can help them plan, manage, and control internaland external resources, processes, finances, and management information. Teamscan benefit from collaboration technologies like wikis, forums, and blogs. Fieldrepresentatives can benefit from mobile technologies that allow them to accessdata and information remotely. The application of technology for the benefit ofbusiness performance and individual success goes on and on.
SummaryThe above top 12 skills for 2012 represent the current state of our economy,companies, governments, and academic institutions. Of course, there are lots ofessential competencies that didn't make the list and others that will emerge asthe economies of the world change. It's important for individuals andorganizations to stay up-to-date with the most critical skills sets necessary tosucceed and excel in a constantly changing economic environment.

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