Business leadership and management is a broad area that covers any business-focused role within an organisation. Professionals working in this area assist in keeping the business running, growing the business or increasing specific business goals such as revenue growth, market penetration, competitive advantages, client management and more. Professionals working within business or management roles are crucial to the success of an organisation. Working within a business role can mean a variety of things. Professionals can work on the administrative side, the operations side, the client or customer service side or the business development side. There are a multitude of roles someone with a business leadership or management qualification could fill, based on their strengths, transferable skills and ability to fit into an organisation’s culture.
Employers are looking for professionals with the right technical skills in business know-how but more importantly, the right transferable skills. Professionals who succeed in business leadership and management roles are approachable, driven, able to work independently, excellent with people management and communication, possess stakeholder management skills and more. The ability to analyse data and create reports is also preferred by employers, who are seeking a professional to fit seamlessly into a business role.
Sales representatives are in charge of selling products or services that a company offers. This may be in person, but is most likely over the phone or via email. Sales representatives can also be a part of the customer service department in some organisations, however most professionals in these roles focus solely on converting interested people into customers.
Entry-level business analysts provide support to the business by documenting business requirements, processes and procedures. They analyse data and reports to come up with suggestions for improving business operations to achieve organisational goals.
Business associates can have a variety of responsibilities within an organisation, dependant on the company structure. Entry-level business associates will have administrative responsibilities, data analysis and reporting, documentation of processes, some billing responsibilities and working on improving business efficiency.
A team leader is a team’s immediate supervisor and the communication point between management and lower-level staff. They can be hands-on in task delegation, dispute resolution, employee management and work hard to improve a team’s efficiency in order to meet specific department or team targets. A team leader is like a second-in-command below a manager.
Office managers oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the office, and may also manage administration and customer service departments. Office managers look after database platforms, improve policies and procedures, train staff, and ensure the business is running smoothly.
Business Managers are sought after in many industries and oversee all business decisions made from a strategic level rather than a day-to-day operational level. Business Managers have more responsibilities with department management, approving and managing business budgets, supervising operations, implementing change strategies and contributing to developing business growth.
A Business Development Manager’s (BDM) main focus is long-term strategic growth. Business development managers may work closely with customers or suppliers but they spend the majority of their time developing strategies to diversify and attract new customers or markets. A BDM would be responsible for overseeing the launch of new products or services or penetrating new markets.
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the leader of an organisation and the highest level of management. All department heads will report to a CEO, and depending on the structure of the company, a CEO is usually only involved in the strategic operations of the business. Overall business spending, business growth strategies and strategic operational decisions are all approved by the CEO. Usually professionals with years or decades of experience in leadership are expected to fill this role.
Sales representatives are in charge of selling products or services that a company offers. This may be in person, but is most likely over the phone or via email. Sales representatives can also be a part of the customer service department in some organisations, however most professionals in these roles focus solely on converting interested people into customers.
Entry-level business analysts provide support to the business by documenting business requirements, processes and procedures. They analyse data and reports to come up with suggestions for improving business operations to achieve organisational goals.
Business associates can have a variety of responsibilities within an organisation, dependant on the company structure. Entry-level business associates will have administrative responsibilities, data analysis and reporting, documentation of processes, some billing responsibilities and working on improving business efficiency.
A team leader is a team’s immediate supervisor and the communication point between management and lower-level staff. They can be hands-on in task delegation, dispute resolution, employee management and work hard to improve a team’s efficiency in order to meet specific department or team targets. A team leader is like a second-in-command below a manager.
Office managers oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the office, and may also manage administration and customer service departments. Office managers look after database platforms, improve policies and procedures, train staff, and ensure the business is running smoothly.
Business Managers are sought after in many industries and oversee all business decisions made from a strategic level rather than a day-to-day operational level. Business Managers have more responsibilities with department management, approving and managing business budgets, supervising operations, implementing change strategies and contributing to developing business growth.
Business Managers are sought after in many industries and oversee all business decisions made from a strategic level rather than a day-to-day operational level. Business Managers have more responsibilities with department management, approving and managing business budgets, supervising operations, implementing change strategies and contributing to developing business growth.
A Business Development Manager’s (BDM) main focus is long-term strategic growth. Business development managers may work closely with customers or suppliers but they spend the majority of their time developing strategies to diversify and attract new customers or markets. A BDM would be responsible for overseeing the launch of new products or services or penetrating new markets.
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the leader of an organisation and the highest level of management. All department heads will report to a CEO, and depending on the structure of the company, a CEO is usually only involved in the strategic operations of the business. Overall business spending, business growth strategies and strategic operational decisions are all approved by the CEO. Usually professionals with years or decades of experience in leadership are expected to fill this role.
Business managers can vary in responsibilities based on the size and the nature of an organisation. In a large organisation, business managers may have specialisation in one function of the business, and work with other managers and team leaders to achieve goals. In a smaller organisation, a business manager may control the strategic direction of the business on their own, as well as overseeing various departments. On an average day, business managers will be conversing with clients, employees or other stakeholders, either in person, video calls, over the phone or via email. They might need to read and assess specific business reports and data, create business reports and data or work on long-term strategies for the business.
Business managers also might be more hands-on, directly managing certain employees or checking in with department meetings or management meetings. Business managers can also work independently of an organisation’s departments, and be seen as a consultant/arm of the organisation focusing on a specific business goal such as new product development, client account management and retainment, to action revenue growth strategies or other.
Pursuing career opportunities in business management
Given the opportunity to pursue a business management career in almost any industry, insights into particular roles are more difficult to measure. A report from 2020 shows that within business management roles, Office Manager occupations show the largest increase in employment, with all business management roles showing a positive growth in employment rate. Office managers are shown to increase from around 141,000 professionals in 2020 to 180,000 by 2024.
The top occupations in demand are:
Program or Project Administrator
Corporate General Manager
Corporate Administrator
Office Manager
General Manager
The 2019 – 2020 WGEA Report (Workplace Gender Equality Agency) brought forth some data about the percentage of women in business leadership positions. Women make up:
48% of Key Management Positions
28.1% of Directors
14.6% of Board Chairs
The WGEA Report also details a valuable 10-step process for getting more women into management positions:
Starting a career in business leadership and management all begins with the right attitude, willingness to network, and the drive to qualify oneself with the right skills and knowledge. A qualification in business like the Diploma of Business (Leadership) is an excellent way to ensure you are learning the right skillsets, able to confidently succeed in any job role and industry. For those succeeding in a 2IC role and looking to transfer into a leading and managing role, the Diploma of Leadership & Management is an excellent choice for developing critical management skills. Having the right attitude to leading is important, but having the knowledge, understanding and skills to support your leadership approach is essential.
Wanting to take your business skills to the next level? This qualification allows professionals in business roles to develop critical skills in managing people performance, budgets, financial plans, performance development processes and more.
Learn transferable skills in leading communication, developing critical thinking and managing team effectiveness.
Office Manager $61k
General Manager $117k
Business Development Manager $79k
This qualification is ideal for professionals seeking to develop their management skills and upskill into more senior leadership roles within their respective industries.
Learn in-demand skills in managing operational plans, ensuring a safe workplace, managing budgets and more. Professionals looking to stand out from the crowd will learn essential soft skills from this qualification, such as leading difficult conversations, managing team effectiveness and communicating with influence.
Team Leader $66k
General Manager $117k
Office Manager $61k
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