The Math of Success in Packaging

Like many other subjects, packaging is also one of the service functions and so just knowledge of packaging as a technology is not sufficient to succeed at work place. May a time professionals do many additional part-time evening courses or correspondence courses. The courses cover part-time MBA, supply chain, retail, finance etc. Really speaking all these additional courses are of little help to support the core function of packaging that we study and companies take us to perform. So we are neither here nor there. So quiet often I had been asked what should young packaging professionals be doing to improve the success at work place as simple subject knowledge is not sufficient. Over the years, I had been observing and discussing it with other professionals too.   And the list of skills that are essential to be an effective packaging professional is given below:  

1. Public speaking
2. Basic knowledge of psychology
3. Business writing skills
4. The basics of design
5. Proper grammar
6. The art of persuasion
7. Some other technology as hobby in addition to packaging
8. Bit of acting & voice control (theatre skills)
9. Good working knowledge of Excel/PowerPoint etc say Microsoft Office
10. Some basic knowledge of database management like Microsoft Access
11. Project Management skills
12. Social networking skills
13. Visibility management
14. Some foreign language
15. Any outdoor sports
16. Some basic knowledge of softwares like photo shop, corel draw etc
17. Know the art of storey telling
18. Bring some spirituality in life as it pays
19. Join some NGO kind of group to support social cause
20. Learn to teach/coach

 

The moment you will start acquiring these skills, your chances would improve dramatically and you will be amazed with yourselves.  Don't be satisfied with dissatisfaction,  Just try!