Growing as an artist requires more than mastering your creative toolset. As the film and games landscape continues to evolve, demand for creatives who can bridge the divide between creativity and business strategy will only increase. Ensure you stand out in the highly competitive creative industry by building your business skills.
According to a study by the Policy and Evidence Centre, employers don’t just value creativity alone: they look for artists who also possess qualities such as good project management and organizational skills, which fall under business acumen. These skills are essential if you want to advance in your career and can also help you become a better artist.
What is business acumen?
Business acumen refers to a keen understanding and proficiency in the various aspects of business operations, strategy, and decision-making. It goes beyond just knowing the mechanics of a business; it involves a deep awareness of how different factors and variables within a business ecosystem interact and impact overall performance.
It can involve grasping financial concepts, understanding market dynamics, recognizing industry trends, comprehending customer behavior, and effectively managing resources and risks.
The better your business skills, the more likely you'll be successful in securing leadership roles, sole trading or freelancing, or starting your own studio.
How business skills help creatives thrive
In an industry full of fierce competition and constant disruption, creatives need to harness the power of entrepreneurial thinking to stay relevant and stand out. A creative business course can help you achieve your goals and build vital skills.
Five ways building business acumen will improve your creative endeavors:
1. Improve your interdisciplinary skills: Creatives who possess business knowledge can bridge the gap between the artistic and commercial aspects of the creative industries. This ability to understand both sides of the equation makes you a valuable asset to your employer. On the flip side, if you are the employer, you'll have more productive staff because not only will not only have solid business skills to help lead and organize your team, you will have unique insights into the creative processes required to complete a project.
2. Become more adaptable: Artists with business acumen are more likely to be adaptable to changes in the industry and can identify innovative solutions to challenges, which is essential in an ever-changing technical landscape. You can better understand market demands, consumer behavior, and industry trends, leading to more relevant and successful creative projects.
3. Hone your communication skills: Business acumen enhances communication skills, allowing creatives to better articulate their ideas to clients, stakeholders, and team members. You will be able to work more effectively with departments outside of your own, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
4. Master project management: Business knowledge helps creatives to manage projects efficiently, meet deadlines, and stay within budget. This not only makes you highly sought after for leadership roles, where organizational skills are crucial, but it can also make you a better artist — staying organized and on top of your tasks can free up more time to do what you love best: creating art!
5. Build an entrepreneurial mindset: Creative professionals with business acumen may be more likely to start their own ventures, contributing to job creation and economic growth within the creative industries, offering new and exciting roles for you and your creative peers.
Gain business skills to complement your creative side
Business acumen, like any skill, will increase the more you nurture it. If you're an artist who wants to develop your business mindset, choose a course that teaches you entrepreneurial skills through the lens of the creative industries.
CG Spectrum Institute’s Diploma of Business creates a space where business strategy and creativity work together. It prepares students for a broad range of careers and offers a lot of transferrable skills. According to Baden U'ren, CG Spectrum Institute's Academic Director, the Diploma of Business also takes into account creative jobs that don't exist yet! "Our courses will still be relevant to new career pathways because we are looking toward the future as well as in the virtual space."
Strengthen your artist toolkit with creative business skills
CG Spectrum Institute's Diploma of Business is designed to empower creative individuals with the essential business skills needed to succeed within the creative industries. Whether you are an artist aspiring to move into management and senior roles, wishing to start your own studio, or to simply feel more confident in your career, this course will elevate your entrepreneurial skills and teach you how to apply them creatively.
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