Here's how you can level up your industry knowledge to advance in your career.

One thing I was coached at early on in business was to get involved in my community. Serve your community well. This can come by serving on chamber boards or local committees for events in the community. It is a source of networking but shows you care for your community.

ndustry pro in the making! Here's my knowledge-boosting plan: Content is king: Devour industry publications, blogs, and podcasts. Stay hungry for the latest trends. Network like a champ: Connect with experts at conferences or online forums. Learn from the best. Course conqueror: Take online courses or workshops to gain targeted skills and deepen my knowledge. Become a knowledge curator: Follow industry thought leaders, read white papers, and attend relevant webinars. Stay ahead of the curve. By consuming industry content, building a network of experts, taking targeted courses, and staying ahead of trends, I'll become an industry knowledge powerhouse, propelling me to the next level of my career.

Keep learning. Look at every loss situation and figure out why it is covered or not by looking at policy language. Volunteer to teach coverage courses to your peers. You will learn more than those you teach. Get involved in the industry. Volunteer for committees, expand your horizons, constantly read coverage articles and court cases, and most important, stay involved.

Kobe said it best: ""I knew that I was not going to be stopped. So at the age of eighteen, this was my life...So, you can't possibly become better than me because you're not spending the time on it that I do" It's all out there, waiting for you to access it. For you to put the time into it. It all comes down to how much time and effort you're willing to give. Want the best opportunities? Become the best.

What I really like about these platforms is that they are tailored to small companies and that they require very little time. The resources to be made available (time and money) are often an obstacle when it comes to further development. But standing still is a step backwards! It is therefore all the more important to create opportunities that make it possible for small companies to offer targeted further training programmes. The online route seems to be a good way forward, especially for the younger generation - of course the learning success and impact must be reviewed afterwards.

These online platforms provide the busy small business professional with access to learning without excuses. Courses are affordable, have a flexible schedule if not self-paced and provide lifetime access to the updates. The key to taking advantage of this opportunity is having the correct mindset from the start. My motto has always been since my Air Force days short term pain for long term reward. Get the book sense and then seek opportunities to apply it.

While online courses provide accessible knowledge, remember that true learning often involves application and implementation. Don't just consume information passively. Challenge yourself to apply what you learn in real-world scenarios, even if it's on a small scale. This practical approach will solidify your understanding and increase your value to your business. If you find yourself learning and not applying, rethink your strategy or get an accountability partner to help you make the most of your online courses.

●Be purposeful with every minute of your day....set calls and appoint. W/ planned outcomes.(Including events you attend) ●Use Linkedin Pro ( this will help with above) ●Ask for advise...get value Ask for a value you will get advice...( Advise and money can be interchanged)

While industry literature offers valuable insights, don't overlook the power of staying informed about broader trends and developments that might impact your field, even if they seem unrelated at first. For instance, a new technology in a seemingly different industry could have unforeseen implications for your business down the line. By expanding your reading beyond your immediate field, you gain a more comprehensive understanding of the landscape and can anticipate potential opportunities or challenges.

I find the better way to consume content is in podcast form or using speechify to maximize time. You can consume content while driving or working out. There is too much to read, so read what you can but leverage the power of listening...

Read "Straight from the Gut", by Jack Welch. One of the most successful CEOs ever to live. Black belt trained? You will get this Six Sigma style of mngt.

Set a reading routine - Dedicating weekly time to reading industry literature, ensuring you stay updated. Subscribe to newsletters from reputable sources to receive the latest insights directly. Engage in professional groups and online forums where discussions and shared articles provide diverse perspectives. Additionally, summarise key points from your readings to aid retention and make referencing easier. Finally, apply what you learn to your work to see practical benefits and reinforce your understanding.

I always say, be the eternal student. When you keep up to date with information in your business area by going to courses, and reading literature or even by joining groups, your clients will grow with you.

Following experts and thought leaders can be very helpful if you want to gain industry knowledge quickly. If you find someone who you really like and they have a community, join their online or in-person community and/or participate in some of their programs. You can easily find experts here on LinkedIn, or through podcasts and YouTube.

To gain insights from experts, you likely don't need to send out dozens of connect requests or long-winded e-mails to total strangers. It is quite likely that you already have individuals in your network with meaningful knowledge and unique experiences to share. You never know who has been where you are now, and has insights ready to share. People typically respond well to curiosity, and enjoy opportunities to help others develop and grow in their knowledge. Start by simply stating your desire to learn, and get comfortable asking questions-- pay attention to who answers, and spend time cultivating your relationships with these people. Make an effort to reach out often, and always express gratitude for the guidance you receive!

One thing I have found valuable is researching the local association for my industry. Then determine what upcoming classes they have available that fit with my schedule and attend. I take the opportunity to connect with the speaker and other industry professionals attending to gain insight on what's happening from their perspective. Experts in the industry are not always the vocal extrovert. Speaking from experience, there are many introverts who are experts, they don't like the attention.

It can definitely be a great way to see what someone else thinks, especially at a high level, but keep in mind many of these industry experts have evolved into a whole new business (content creation and publishing) and can sometimes lose the perspective of the “normal” folk. Still, some of the biggest improvements I’ve made have been the result of a chat with an expert.

Moving ones career always boils down to people. Find people you respect or that are a step or three ahead of you to connect with. Try to do some one on one connecting with them and look for ways to provide value to them. You will get the opportunity to learn and also demonstrate your own skills and tenacity. Chances are they did the same:)

For me personally, nothing is as effective as practical experience. It’s all about trying, making mistakes, analyzing, and adjusting. Then, try again. Keep repeating this process until you achieve the results you're aiming for.

Experience- You can have all the book knowledge possible but with out Practicle Experience most don't know how to apply that knowledge to real job site issues.

Experience in the field is vital and provides the most knowledge. Of course, literature and information are very important, however, work in the arena is essential since that is where the book is being written that will later support knowledge of the industry

En una PYME, la experiencia práctica es clave para avanzar en tu carrera. Participar en diferentes roles te da una visión completa del negocio y de su funcionamiento. Por otro lado, atender directamente a los clientes no solo mejora tus habilidades en cuanto a servicio, sino que también te ofrece ideas valiosas para mejorar. Resolver problemas en tiempo real agudiza tu pensamiento crítico y tu seguridad ante situaciones desafiantes. Involúcrate en proyectos de mejora, ten iniciativa y colabora con los líderes de la empresa ¡Comprobarás que cada experiencia sea buena o mala, cuenta para tu crecimiento profesional!

Volunteer at your local United Way.....give and you will receive. Works to align your life purpose. This is why we live. Do this today.

Self reflection is probably one of the most important things you can do. Having the lack of an ego that it takes to be self aware enough to identity your weaknesses, while having just enough of an ego to know when not to blindly follow advice… it’s a tricky balance. And that’s why you need to spend time thinking and reflecting.

A wise person once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Another way to look at it is: you'll keep repeating the same mistakes until you've finally learned the lesson. That's what comes to mind when I think about the importance of reflecting and adapting. Reflection is an important tool for us to be able to take a step back, gain some perspective, and look at the decisions we've made and their results. When we reflect, we can adapt and improve our decisions so that we can maximize our efforts and energy when we face similar challenges the next time around.

Take a LinkedIn course on AI and level up your learning! I’m currently taking essentials career essentials in generative AI, by Microsoft. Let’s go!

Self Reflection is the quickest way to grow and learn. It's also the hardest because of the accountability it takes to own up to our mistakes and change. This goes along with your business world and your personal world.

Experiment: start a side project in an area that intrigues you, then learn the skills necessary to reach that goal. I’m not talking about side hustles (although they can be). I mean anything that gives you energy, and even better if you don’t monetize it. Follow your curiosity and see what kind of skills it allows you to build. The most creative people are those who can pull strategies from area of work into another, and that comes from having a wide range of interests.

Always be learning. This keeps your skills relevant, fosters adaptability, resiliency, creativity and enriches personal growth.

Do not let your drive time be bubble gum time. Listen to books, podcasts, online courses. Screw around less, focus more. Set mental traps for information and insights.

This is a load of AI generated BS designed to chuck loads of meaningless content out in return for a LinkedIn badge (do I get one?). If anyone actually needs help with the question then they aren’t going to be an industry expert anytime soon! Do some learning. Get some experience.

Take the leap. Don't let fear stop you before you even start. Too many people let perfectionism or over-analysis get in the way. In reality, it's you getting in your own way. Do your best, but remember, the true test is the market. I was once asked: "Do I believe in fortune tellers?" My response: They say fortune favors the bold, so be bold, and make your fortune.