Most Important Skills For A Category Business Manager At Google
For a Category Business Manager at Google, the most important skills can be broken into qualitative and quantitative categories, where "dealing with people" and understanding how different people think are key, alongside the ability to "tell stories with numbers" using tools like Excel to synthesize data and communicate insights to leadership. Excel ninja skills are also very valuable.
Data Analysis, Communication, Negotiation, Interpersonal Skills, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Speed
Category Business Manager
CSU San Marcos
MBA University of San Diego
Economics
Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain, Technology
Strategic Management and Executive
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Qualitative skills are crucial: Knowing how to deal with people, understanding negotiations, and remaining composed are essential for interacting effectively with diverse personalities and managing various situations.
2. Quantitative skills are vital: Proficiency in Excel and the ability to analyze numbers, tell stories with data, and synthesize information from spreadsheets are necessary for data-driven decision-making and communication.
3. Adaptability in communication is key: Tailoring your communication style to different individuals, whether they are data-driven or program-oriented, ensures effective collaboration and understanding.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
In a job like mine, the skills can be broken down into qualitative and quantitative skills.
Let's discuss the qualitative skills. These include knowing how to deal with people, understanding negotiations, and being able to remain composed. These are all very important skills.
You'll interact with people who are frustrated and grumpy, as well as those who are happy and moving quickly. So, understanding how to interact with different personalities in the way they need is crucial.
For example, if you're a data-driven person, you'll look at data first, then ask about the plan and the "why." Alternatively, if you're a program-related person, you'll discuss what you're going to do, why, and the numbers behind it. Working with people in this capacity is super important to this role.
Then there's the quantitative side. I understand we live in a world with a lot of technology, tools, and coding. However, having the ability to excel in these areas, to be a "ninja," is something I couldn't do my job without.
Really understanding how to look at numbers, analyze them, and tell stories with them, as well as leveraging Excel, is very important. For my job, the most important things are the qualitative skills, like dealing with people.
This includes understanding how a person thinks, why they think that way, and what story you want to tell them. Then there are the numbers; you'll be dealing with spreadsheets extensively. You have to synthesize the data, understand what it's saying, and then present it in a way your leadership understands. These skills are incredibly important for my job.