Maintaining Your Competitive Edge

When was the last time you noticed your ability to maintain your competitive edge? Was it during a performance evaluation? Or did you submit your work for a major competition to see if you still have the ability to leverage your talents? It is easy to rely on your knowledge and technical skills to complete tasks at work. However, it is also vital to your career to leverage opportunities to expand your professional skills through training and education programs.


Sometimes, professional workers focus so much on doing the day to day work they do not take time to maintain or enhance their specific skill sets. When a person does not focus some of their work schedule on refresher training, they may risk the loss of their technical abilities. Why does this happen to some employees? One thing to consider is that a person may become complacent about their work because they are gainfully employed. In addition, when a person reaches a certain professional level where she/he no longer need to do "hands on work", taking classes is skipped all together.

Professional development can be achieved through refresher courses, participating in professional competitions and workshops. Moreover, refresher training may help increase networking opportunities, enhance skills and ensure you keep you competitive edge.