How can a person with no knowledge of AI and ML, no knowledge of digital marketing and SEO, who is not good at Sales and Negotiation, and who does not have any skills in Business Communication and Leadership, develop these skills in 6 months without joining any job, and eventually figure out how to start a customer-centric business?
A 6-month roadmap for skill acquisition
Month 1: Focus on learning to sell and understand customers
Your initial focus should be on understanding and addressing customer needs, as this is the core of a customer-centric business.
- Learn to sell: Watch YouTube videos on sales and negotiation basics, such as those on "how to sell" and "negotiation basics for beginners". Look for content from industry experts and practice the principles of active listening and creating win-win scenarios.
- Identify your market and customer: Choose a niche that interests you and that is showing growth. Then, define your ideal customer by identifying their needs and pain points.
- Conduct market research: Use tools like Google Trends and social media to see if there is demand for your business idea. Observe and analyse competitors' strategies to understand the market landscape.
Months 2–3: Build your digital presence
With a better understanding of sales and your target customers, begin building an online platform and implementing basic digital marketing strategies.
- Create a business website: Use a platform like WordPress or a website builder to create a simple, professional website for your business. Focus on making it user-friendly and mobile-responsive from the start.
- Acquire digital marketing fundamentals: Complete free online certifications from platforms like Google Digital Garage and HubSpot Academy to learn the basics of SEO, content marketing, and email marketing.
- Start practising digital marketing: Begin creating and posting content for your business, applying the SEO skills you've learned. Experiment with social media campaigns and measure the results.
Months 4–5: Integrate AI and begin leading
Start leveraging AI tools to enhance your marketing and customer service efforts, while developing your leadership skills by communicating your vision effectively.
- Use AI for content creation: Use AI-powered tools like Jasper or Canva to help you create compelling blog posts, social media updates, and visuals.
- Implement AI customer service: Deploy a simple AI-driven chatbot on your website to answer customer questions and generate leads around the clock.
- Develop communication and leadership skills: Listen to business podcasts, read articles on leadership communication, and practice your new sales and communication skills with potential customers. This helps you build authentic connections and communicate your brand's vision clearly.
Month 6: Launch and get paying customers
Launch your business and start generating revenue. The focus should be on getting real-world feedback to iterate and improve.
- Get paying customers quickly: Use your newly acquired sales skills to validate your business idea by getting your first paying customers.
- Create a feedback loop: Regularly collect customer feedback through surveys, reviews, and direct communication. Use this feedback to make adjustments and improve your offerings.
- Measure success: Set up tools like Google Analytics to measure your website's performance and track key business metrics. Use this data to make informed business decisions.
While this is an intense schedule, focusing on practical application and leveraging free online tools can make it achievable. The key is prioritising "learning by doing" and focusing on the skills most critical for a customer-centric business.