Most Important Skills for a Business Operations Director at a Fortune 100 Entertainment Company
Colin, a Director of Business Operations at a Fortune 100 entertainment company, emphasizes fundamental skills like project management ("owning and accountability of a specific work stream"), strong writing ("a very specific subject line...a call to action"), and spreadsheet proficiency as crucial for business operations success. However, the most vital skill, according to Colin, is relationship management, calling it "the most important skill" in this "relationship-based industry."
Project Management, Communication, Data Analysis, Quantitative Skills, Relationship Management
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Colin Sommer
Director, Business Operations
Fortune 100 Entertainment Company
Chapman University
USC: Master of Communication Management; UCLA: Master of Business Administration
Advertising, Public Relations
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Project Management: The interviewee emphasizes the importance of proactive project management, using tools like RACI matrices to delineate roles and responsibilities, and efficiently move projects forward. This highlights the need for organization and accountability in managing multiple tasks.
2. Strong Writing Skills: Effective written communication is crucial, extending beyond basic grammar to include clear subject lines, concise messaging, defined calls to action, and understanding the context of the communication (FYI vs. requiring a response).
3. Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships is paramount, especially in the entertainment industry, as collaboration and trust are key to project success. This emphasizes the soft skills necessary for navigating a complex professional environment.
Transcript
I would love to know what skills you think are most important for someone in this business operations type of role.
The skills needed to excel in business operations are similar to those needed to thrive in any role. I've made a list of things I believe are really important and fundamental to nearly any job.
The first is project management. I think of project management as owning and being accountable for a specific workstream. You need to figure out how to push that workstream forward and how to move it to other people's courts if you need input or a decision.
Early in my career, when I had multiple projects, they would drag on for weeks. I wouldn't know where they stood at any given time; they were just on my plate. This was an issue for me. Having all these projects can also be a mental drain, so I take a proactive approach to project management.
One tool I use is a RACI matrix, which stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. This helps delineate who does what for a project and moves things along effectively.
Another essential skill is writing. It’s unbelievable how many people I've worked with who simply don't know how to write an email. They don't realize you need a specific subject line, a salutation, and a clear call to action. You need to tell the person what you want them to do and whether it’s an FYI or requires a response. I don't believe these are always taught in school, but they are fundamental to success in business.
Third, you need to understand spreadsheets. You have to know how to calculate numbers and how to communicate and organize data succinctly. There's a right and wrong way to use spreadsheets. It's important to clarify your thinking and be as streamlined and efficient as possible when conveying information. Spreadsheets are a very helpful tool for this.
Beyond these basic skills, for business operations specifically, quantitative analysis is very important. You need to know how to forecast, add charts to numbers, and present data-heavy information.
You also need a solid understanding of the entertainment industry and what it takes to get a project to completion. This means understanding how a project comes to be and how it gets to television or the big screen.
Finally, and I think most importantly, is relationship management. Knowing how to build and foster relationships with people is crucial. You need to build trust and allies within the organization because entertainment is a relationship-based industry. You can know everything about a subject matter, but unless you can forge relationships, you won't get ahead. This is the most important skill I would recommend people learn.
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