Nono Bokete, CEO, Data Sentinels, Empowering Businesses to Lead Digital Change—Beyond Just Technology.
Just doing your job isn’t enough anymore. I know, you might be thinking, “Nono, I’m great at what I do. I show up, I meet deadlines, I get the work done.” And that’s awesome! But doing the bare minimum won’t cut it in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
You’ve heard of digital literacy, I hope. More people are leveraging AI, automation and data analytics to do their jobs better, faster and smarter… and then there’s you, still figuring out Excel formulas like it’s 1995. Not a great look, trust me.
It doesn’t matter what field you’re in anymore—whether it’s HR, marketing or even finance. The “just do your job” mindset is outdated. Here is why: In the age of digital transformation, job security is not a reality anymore. Companies, even governments, are looking for people who evolve, not people who are stuck in old ways.
So, you might be thinking, “But I’m not a tech person. Why should I care about learning about AI or data analytics?” Fair questions. However, you don’t have to become a tech guru. You just need to understand enough to keep up with the changes around you. Digital skills are relevant for everyone, even if you are still using a Nokia 3310. It’s about understanding how technology impacts your work and how you can use it to make things easier, faster and more efficient.
So, now you know why upskilling is absolutely crucial to staying relevant in the digital world. But how do you actually get started? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are five steps to help you take action and start building those digital skills:
1. Assess what you need to learn.
First things first, figure out where you stand and what you need. Are you in a role where you’re already exposed to digital tools, like project management software or data analytics? Or are you new to this whole “digital literacy” thing? Either way, start by identifying what skills are most relevant to your current role or the role you want.
You might start by asking yourself:
• What digital tools does my team or company use daily?
• What’s happening in my industry that could change the way I work?
• Are there new trends, like AI or automation, that I need to understand better?
Once you have a clear idea, you can prioritize your learning.
2. Choose one skill to focus on.
There’s a lot to learn, but the key is starting small. You don’t need to become a coding expert overnight. Pick one skill that will make an immediate difference in your work and start there. Here are a few examples to consider:
• Excel: Everyone’s favorite spreadsheet software, but do you know the shortcuts and advanced functions, like pivot tables or macros?
• Data Analytics: Learning the basics of how to analyze and visualize data could be incredibly valuable. Tools like Google Analytics or Tableau can make data-driven decision-making a breeze. Or stepping up to learn R or Python for advanced analytics.
• Social Media Or Digital Marketing: If you’re in a client-facing role, knowing how to leverage digital marketing tools (Google Ads, Facebook Insights) could help you drive results.
• Project Management Tools: If you’re not already familiar with software like Trello, Asana or Monday.com, they’re a great starting point.
The key is to focus on one skill, learn it well and build from there.
3. Find free resources.
Learning new digital skills doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of free resources available to help you get started, and many of them are tailored to different learning styles. Here are some options:
• YouTube: You’d be amazed at the number of free tutorials on digital skills. Whatever you need to learn, you can likely find a beginner-friendly guide.
• Coursera, edX: These platforms offer free courses from top universities, professionals and more. You can take classes in everything from digital marketing to data science.
• LinkedIn Learning: If you already have a LinkedIn account, you probably have access to thousands of courses in digital literacy and beyond. Plus, LinkedIn Learning provides certifications that you can showcase on your profile.
Set aside 30 minutes to an hour each week to dive into one of these resources. By the end of the year, you will be way past a beginner. The key is consistency.
4. Implement what you learned.
Learning something new is only half the battle. To really retain knowledge, you need to put it into practice. Start with small, low-risk projects or tasks at work where you can test your new skills. For example:
• If you’re learning Excel, try using it to track your team’s tasks or create a small budget.
• If you’re diving into data analysis, try pulling data from your team or company’s reports and creating a simple chart to analyze it.
• If you’re focusing on digital marketing, run a small test campaign on social media to understand how ads are set up and optimized.
Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. The goal is to start using the skills you’re learning in real situations to get comfortable with them.
5. Set up ongoing learning.
Upskilling is an ongoing process. The digital world doesn’t stand still, so neither should your learning. Make it part of your regular routine to stay up to date with new trends, tools and technologies. Here’s how:
• Set a learning goal.
• Join communities.
• Seek feedback.
Make learning part of your daily or weekly routine—think of it like brushing your teeth for your career. This is all just to say that doing your job well won’t keep you secure in today’s world. But upskilling, continuously learning and embracing technology will. You don’t have to know everything, but you’ve got to stay relevant, adaptable and ready to learn. Your future self will thank you and maybe me.
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