Becoming an entrepreneur is one of life’s greatest challenges. However, in today’s struggling economy, it is very difficult to start a successful business. In a healthy economy, up to 50 percent of new businesses fail in the first five years, and it is probable that the odds will be stacked even higher against a new business during today’s recession.
There are many important factors that go into creating a startup business. To ensure that your company is profitable and successful, you will need to have an extensive skill set and the ability to handle problems that arise in many different areas. You will need skills in finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and inventory control, among others.
Hiring Employees
When you are creating your own startup company, there are several things you should look for. First, you will need to decide whether you want to operate the business on your own or hire employees to share the workload.
Hiring employees can help to build the knowledge base in your new company. Talented employees can compensate for some of your shortfalls, and you will be able to work together to create a successful business.
Whether or not your business is focused on technology, there are several certifications that you and your employees should consider obtaining. When you are certified in a variety of areas, you will be able to handle the day-to-day challenges that your business encounters.
Below are seven certifications recommended for business owners and employees who need the expertise to help them meet the many challenges of running a successful startup.
1. Scrum Master Certification
A vital certification to earn is the Scrum Master Certification from the International Scrum Institute. The certification can be completed online, and it can help your business become more agile and ready to respond to change. A scrum master works as a facilitator for a successful development team. Scrum as a methodology allows a team to make changes and organize itself quickly. Scrum masters manage the process of information exchange among members of a team.
When a person is certified as a scrum master, their business will experience many benefits. International Scrum Institute certifications help people learn how to lead a team, multitask, and eliminate unnecessary information. Scrum masters will gain the experience needed to achieve business growth and success.
2. Digital Marketing Certification
In today’s competitive environment, there is a growing demand for each startup to have a website and a digital marketing strategy. If your company is not prepared to compete in the digital marketplace, it can be very difficult to meet the same standards as larger companies. A digital marketing certification can help teach you how to handle the variety of issues that can arise when marketing online.
When business owners become certified in digital marketing, they can save money on hiring a costly dedicated professional. Getting certified will save your business money and enable you to build an attractive, functional website, and amp up your digital marketing strategy.
3. Data Analyst Certification
Gaining data analysis skills is a great way to boost the effectiveness of your website and other digital marketing materials like social media pages and advertisements. Understanding how websites work and where the traffic for your business is coming from can help you optimize your digital footprint.
Online traffic is something that many startup owners do not understand. Analyzing the overwhelming flood of data that comes with any website takes expertise and practice. Becoming certified as a data analyst is an excellent way to help your business leverage this information to improve your customer engagement. You will be able to cut through the clutter and discover which data points are the most important and how to analyze and understand trends.
4. Project Manager Certificate
Another useful area in which you should consider becoming certified is project management. Earning a PMP Certification online will help you lead your business to greater success.
When you create a startup business, it is crucial that you know how to lead a team and organize their tasks. Project managers are responsible for many different functions within a company. It is important to understand the flow of work and how a project can be broken down into its component parts.
When you are certified, you will learn how to manage your time and that of your employees to help you work more efficiently. If you cannot spend the time to get this certification yourself, it is beneficial to have one of your employees take the course.
5. Google Analytics Individual Certification
Using Google Analytics is one of the best ways to earn passive income from your website. This program enables your business to make money using advertising and clickthroughs. The more hits your website gets, the more money you can make.
While this program may seem easy, it takes time to understand and use it properly. If you do not pay proper attention, your website may look confusing and non-user-friendly. Earning your Google Analytics certification can help to ensure that your startup has a successful online presence.
6. SCALA Certification
A SCALA certification teaches you to understand the programming language used in the Java platform. Java is a component of many websites and digital marketing programs. Even if you do not have a background in programming, you will be able to benefit from gaining this certification.
7. Certification in Languages
Depending on where your business is located, you may benefit from earning a certification in multiple languages. It is always helpful to know how to communicate with your customers effectively. This is a time-consuming certification, but worth earning. If you do not have time to spend on this certification, you may want to hire someone who speaks the primary languages spoken by your customer base.
Earning Certifications from the International Scrum Institute
When you are creating a startup business, you will benefit from earning these certifications. Certified business owners have more credibility and can lead their companies to higher levels of success. Becoming certified will let your customers know that you are trustworthy and reliable.
Using these new skills from the Scrum Institute will give your new business its best chance of thriving in a challenging economy. You and your employees will learn how to manage your time, lead employees, market your company, and enhance your digital marketing capabilities. It is possible to learn these skills on your own through trial and error, but the courses can accelerate the pace and help to eliminate the mistakes that could be made through inexperience.
