Running Head: IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SKILLS

The Importance of Obtaining Social Skills for the Business World

Palak Joshi and Ina Mascardo
Waxahachie Global High School

IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SKILLS

Table of Contents
Abstract.. 3
Introduction4
Techniques Used in Business..4
Flexibility and Cooperation.5
Positivity..5
Respect5
Values and Purpose.6
Finance6
Accounting.7
Human Resources8
Marketing9
Conclusion..9
Resources11

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Abstract

This paper explores a few different articles from research conducted on how business associates
with developing social and problem solving skills. In this paper, we will compare and contrast
the four popular fields which are of interest concerning our career paths. Readers will be getting
the gist of the business world since this paper will cover these specific fields which include
finance, marketing, accounting, and human resources. In addition to the comparing and
contrasting, this paper will include the qualifications and expectations needed to getting hired.
All of which will hopefully deem to be helpful in the near future to those who want to go into
business. Overall, business is such a broad career path that it is common to find it difficult to
start out. In the end, if you know what your strengths and weaknesses are, then it is highly
probable that you can find your niche in the business realm. For success is not based on how you
start, its based on ones destination.
Keywords: research, business, developing, gist, career

Abstract Word Count: 167

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The Importance of Obtaining Social Skills for the Business World

Introduction
People nowadays have a set of techniques that are practiced when trying to develop
relationships with others. Social skills are not only involved with your clients, or customers;
theyre involved with your employees. Like Doug Sandler says, Social skills, if applied
improperly, can lead to social kills. Very often, business owners, managers, entrepreneurs and Clevel people will be so focused on business, they forget about the impact of the proper use of
social skills. Many things matter in being social. A few aspects are, maintaining eye contact,
using proper body language, showing respect and flexibility and cooperation are essential to
interacting with people.
Techniques Used In Business
Maintaining eye contact is also important since it shows the person that you are
interested, you are also showing them that you appreciate them. When making eye contact it
makes them feel as if you truly understand the person and want to listen to what they have to say;
instead of just listening while youre on your cellphone or tablet.
Also, its very important to know the difference between being assertive and being
aggressive. Its ok to share your opinion and to be passionate about what you are discussing, but
be careful not to step over the line and project your opinion in a way that makes the person you
are communicating with feel like they are wrong. If you are bordering on offensive or insulting,
you are heading into the aggressive.

Flexibility and Cooperation

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Flexibility and cooperation are essential social skills are a big must. This is difficult for
most people. Many have an attitude problem, or aren't ready to quickly adjust; or even to adjust
at all. Although you may feel as though your way is the best way, remaining flexible and open to
another solution is always a good guideline to follow. Keep in mind that you will need other
people in order to get anywhere in life. An open willingness to share ideas with others should
also be coupled with a flexible mindset as well.
Positivity
Remain positive at all times. Several chapters in Doug Sandler's book, Nice Guys Finish
First, provide clear proof between having a positive attitude and being highly successful. The
same applies here. Highly social people tend to be very positive as well, making them much
more likely to be successful as well. Nobody wants to be around negative nancy, theyd rather be
around positive, upright people. Although positive people have their ups and downs in life as
well, positive people dont wallow in self-pity, doubt and negativity. ("American Marketing
Association")
Respect
No matter your position in business or in life, showing respect is the ultimate sign of
regard. When you respect someone you are showing you care, admire and honor their position.
Never feel as though you are better than anyone else or that your experience or knowledge is
above others. Staying humble while being mindful is often said to be a great social skill to
possess.

Values and Purpose

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Openly discuss your values and purpose. People join companies for many reasons, but
whats more interesting is why they stay. They stay because they feel a sense of shared values,
purpose, mission and vision. If youre a leader and you dont regularly reinforce the companys
value and purpose, be prepared to do a lot of remedial recruiting when you lose more talent than
youd like.Social engagement is not a management overlay on a toxic culture. Its not a BandAid, a work-around or a cure-all. Its a way of thinking about business, and doing business. Its
about operating with awareness and engagement using the power of social networks to
demonstrate your brand promise in todays dynamic marketplace. Its how the world works. Its
how you need to work. So make your move. Your companys future depends on it. (Biro,2013)
All businesses altogether correlate into hard work and ethic. If one thinks about it, it all comes
down to the passions of a person and how much they want their business to thrive. With
management skills, finance, and hiring the right people, this mixture altogether can indeed
concoct a strong and worthy business. As we explore more into the skill sets that are developed
in the business field, one can most definitely observe the broadness of this field in the sense that
there are multiple jobs that go into one running business.
Finance
The finance program is a program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage,
and analyze the financial and monetary aspects and performance of business enterprises, banking
institutions, or other organizations. This generally includes instruction in principles of
accounting, financial instruments, capital planning, funds acquisition, asset and debt
management, budgeting, financial analysis, and investments and portfolio management.
(MyMajors). This puts an importance on real world application pertaining to numbers and
analysis. In addition, these jobs involve major tactical and strategic decisions for their companies

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so that in the near future, they can thrive exponentially. This specific field is expected to boom
exponentially in 2020. (money.usnews.com)

Figure 1: Finance vs. Accounting Job Outlook

Accounting
Accounting is a systematic process of identifying, recording, measuring, classifying,
verifying, summarizing, interpreting and communicating financial information. It reveals profit
or loss for a given period, and the value and nature of a firm's assets, liabilities and owners'
equity. (Accounting is More) This field is unique in the sense that you can enter this specific
degree at every level. An associate's degree will prepare you for entry-level positions, while a
bachelor's will impart a greater base of knowledge and pave the way for a Master of Business
Administration or other advanced degree. Your masters will usually take one to two years to
obtain. (Accounting is More) By 2018, the revenue of accounting, tax preparation, and payroll

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services towards the industry in the United States is thought to reach approximately 137 billion
U.S. dollars in 2013. By 2018, it is expected to generate about 160 billion. (Topic Accounting)

Figure 2: Projected Growth of Accounting Jobs

Human Resources
Human Resources job duties include: Maintaining the work structures by updating job
requirements and job descriptions for all positions. Adding onto the maintaining role, they also
take part in organizations and their staffing by recruiting, testing, and interviewing the program.
(Human, 2016) They counsel managers on selection of candidates thus conducting and
analyzing the interviews that recommend change. This prepares employees for assignments
pertaining to their job which conducts training programs and orientations in a particular career
field. (HR Professionals) Degree wise you can begin a career in human resources by earning an
associates or degree certificate. Human Resource majors can either choose to seek accreditation
from the HR Certification Institute. (Human, 2016)

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Marketing

To be in marketing one has to obtain a BA/BS degree or of equivalent work. You must
also have some experience because it is much preferred. One can achieve this by taking
internships and such. You must also be an excellent communicator and creative thinker, with an
ability to use data to inform all decisions. The main responsibility of marketing is Building and
managing a rich content/editorial calendar that attracts a qualified audience to our owned
properties (including blog posts, whitepapers, e-books, reports, webinars, infographics, etc.).
(10 Marketing.) They must also grow new leads, including marketing-qualified leads, by
converting site traffic through calls-to-action, landing pages, and lead generation content
(including offers). Marketing automation can lead to nurturing processes through email, content,
and social channels. One must also have a closed- loop analytics with sales to understand how
our inbound marketing activity since they can turn into customers which can help boost your
career.
Conclusion
All in all, these specific labors and jobs are particular and specifically all unique in a certain type
of way. Many of which are essential for having problem solving skills and social skills which
would be beneficial all throughout. (Green Peak.)Business is such a broad field that the division
of labor seems endless to cover the whole entire sector. But, there are common traits into which
is plausible for entering this field of work. You as a person have distinct fields such as financing,
marketing, accounting, general business administration, etc. But, what really ties everything
together is communication. Its how you make the strategic game plan in any business. There's
no room for you to be shy in the business world. Roshni Patel, for example, stated: If you are a
great communicator you will develop more social skills than ever before. (Patel, 2015.) She is

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now the leader of her group, and has only advanced her way up since then. Business in general in
putting yourself out there, and with that being said social skills must be imminent in the world of
business. People are the key to your success, and obtaining skills that attract the
people/customers will surely help boost your career path.

REFERENCES
Green Peak Partners. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://greenpeakpartners.com/

Finance Major. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mymajors.com/collegemajors/finance/

Long Term Financing :: Business Finance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://www.123helpme.com/long-term-fiancing-view.asp?id=165983

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5 Reasons Why Eye Contact Is Important. (2011). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://hellobeautiful.com/2011/08/04/5-reasons-why-eye-contact-is-important/

Accounting is About More than Crunching Numbers: Learn What Other Duties an
Accountant Holds. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://www.allbusinessschools.com/business-careers/accounting/job-description/

Topic: Accounting industry in the U.S. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://www.statista.com/topics/2121/accounting-industry-in-the-us/

Human Resources Manager Job Description Sample | Monster.com. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29,
2016, from http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/recruiting-hiring-advice/jobdescriptions/human-resources-manager-job-description-sample.aspx

HR Professionals Manage a Valuable Resource: People. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://www.allbusinessschools.com/business-careers/human-resources/job-description/

10 Marketing Job Descriptions to Recruit and Hire an All-Star Team. (n.d.).

Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/34029/8Ready-Made-Job-Descriptions-to-Recruit-an-All-Star-Marketing-Team.aspx

HR Professionals Manage a Valuable Resource: People. (n.d.).

Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.allbusinessschools.com/businesscareers/human-resources/job-description/

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