Learning is something we never stop doing, whether it’s picking up new skills, adapting to changes, or gaining fresh insights that help us grow in every stage of life. It can also help prevent some of the diseases of aging, including dementia.1
Professional learning is particularly important for small business owners and entrepreneurs. In addition to improving your brain health, it can also lead to increased business success.2 By staying abreast of new developments and ideas in your industry or sector, you can set yourself apart from your competitors.
In this article, we’ll reveal some resources for entrepreneurs and explain the benefits of professional development.
What is professional development?
According to the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, professional learning – also known as professional development – is defined:2
Professional development is gaining new skills through continuing education and career training after entering the workforce. It can include taking classes or workshops, attending professional or industry conferences, or earning a certificate to expand your knowledge in your chosen field.
The purpose of professional learning is to help professionals grow in their fields. In a corporate structure, professional development may be required for advancement within the company. But even for small business owners and solo entrepreneurs, professional development is beneficial.
How can professional development help small business owners?
We’re not exaggerating when we say that professional development can help you, whether you own a small business with employees or operate as a sole proprietor or freelancer. Here are some of the ways that engaging in professional learning can help you.
Networking and mentorship
Networking is something every small business owner and entrepreneur should do. You never know where the next opportunity is coming from. Attending local meetups, industry events, or business networking groups opens doors to these connections.
Online courses and webinars
It doesn’t matter what industry or sector your business is in. Every industry experiences changes that may range from technological advances to new best practices to a dip or rise in customer demand.
One of the biggest advantages of online courses and webinars is their flexibility. Small business owners often juggle many responsibilities, making it difficult to attend traditional in-person classes. Online learning can be done at any time, allowing you to fit education around your work schedule.
Confidence boost
Professional development is about more than helping you beat your competitors. It can also work wonders for your self-confidence, and that’s essential in every area of your business.
Self-confidence can help you sail through difficult negotiations with clients, customers, and vendors. It can boost your authority with employees and partners, help attract new contacts and prospects, and even help you in your personal life. Confidence is magnetic.
Learning can help you expand your business
Business growth is something that can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The free small business resources we’ll discuss in the next section may help you to identify new services or conceptualize new products to expand your market reach and your profits. They can also help you manage your business more efficiently, freeing up resources for expansion.
New product rollouts are always exciting, and when you learn about new trends and technologies, it’s easy to think of what they can do – and how you can capitalize on what you learn.
Free professional development courses
Professional development comes in many forms, including everything from webinars and online courses to in-person events. Here are some of our favorite free resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
America’s Small Business Development Centers
America’s Small Business Development Centers is an organization dedicated to supporting a nationwide network of SBDCs whose goal it is to educate and support small businesses.
Some of the specific resources they provide include the following.
- A small business podcast
- Annual conferences
- Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 18-24, 2024)
- Cybersecurity
- Inclusivity Training
On top of what we’ve listed here, participating in SBDC events both nationally and in your area can help you expand your network.
HubSpot Academy
HubSpot is a well-known company that helps business owners and entrepreneurs improve their marketing. They offer HubSpot Academy, online training for business owners and marketers covering a wide array of topics – and it’s all free!
Here is a sampling of some of the courses you can find on HubSpot Academy.
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
- Critical Thinking
- GDPR
- Revenue Operations
- Data management
This is just a tiny sampling of what’s available. While a lot of the focus is on marketing, courses about critical thinking and data management may be beneficial to everyone in your company.
HR.com
As a business owner, you may be wearing the hat of Human Resources Manager as well. HR.com has a host of free resources to help business owners learn about HR management and best practices.
HR.com offers e-learning courses, webinars, and virtual events. And if you have an HR professional on your team, they can acquire their Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications there, too!
MIT Open Learning Library
MIT is one of the most respected institutions of higher learning in the United States. The MIT Open Learning Library offers an impressive array of free resources for employers and employees.
There’s no need to register. You can simply visit the site and download lessons, proceeding through them at your own pace. Content is interactive and anybody taking lessons receives immediate feedback to help them grow professionally.
National Federation of Independent Businesses
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a terrific resource for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. They have a ton of networking events and business-related resources.
The NFIB has a legal center and a resource page. They also offer an array of free webinars covering marketing, finances, legal issues, taxes, and human resources. We like this as a resource because it’s not industry-specific. Everyone can benefit!
National Retail Federation
If you own a brick-and-mortar store or sell online, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has tons of educational resources for you. They’re the largest retail trade association in the world.
Educational resources and courses include retail best practices, networking, research, and more. They also provide an annual retail sales forecast and host in-person and online events throughout the year.
Industry Specific Resources
We’ve focused here on general resources that most business owners can use, but we also suggest searching for industry-specific resources that provide free training and online learning in areas that can help you shine in your sector.
The bottom line
There’s no reason not to engage in ongoing professional development. You and your company will benefit when you stay abreast of new developments in your industry and learn about new ways to serve your clients or customers.