Rapid adoption of AI across nearly every industry is challenging long-held views about what skills people need to be successful in business. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a shift in the needs of employees, such as increased flexibility. These significant changes have brought the workforce into a new era, where the key skills needed for business success today are dramatically different than they were a decade ago.
Many MBA programs — online, on campus, synchronous and asynchronous alike — have monitored the shifting career landscape and adjusted their curricula to prepare students for the modern business landscape. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top three skills MBA programs are emphasizing and how these skills can help you achieve your business career goals.
Where Are Skilled Employees Most Needed?
A significant majority of businesses around the world — 87 percent, according to McKinsey & Company — report having or predicting a notable skills gap within their organizations. The World Economic Forum predicts increased demand in areas related to advancing technology, such as:
- AI and machine learning
- Data analytics
- Information security
- Big Data
Demand is also expected to decrease for a number of traditional business positions, including:
- Data entry
- Accounting, bookkeeping and payroll
- Client management and customer service
MBA programs, such as the Online MBA offered by the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, equip students with both the generalized and specialized skills required for the job functions that are expected to increase in demand. Tulane is located in the heart of New Orleans, offering online students access to the innovations occurring in this vibrant city.
No. 1: Data-Based Decision Making
Data-based decision making requires using objective evidence rather than intuition to make decisions, which leads to more accurate and reliable outcomes. By using data to evaluate options and predict results, businesses can minimize risks and avoid potential pitfalls. Similarly, collecting, processing and analyzing data allow businesses to identify trends and patterns, which are crucial for strategic planning and forecasting market conditions. Companies can gain a competitive edge by leveraging data to understand market dynamics, customer preferences and competitive positioning.
In courses like Financial Policies & Valuation, Tulane students work with case studies featuring real-world financial analysis and decision-making scenarios, preparing them for the types of situations they’ll encounter as they advance their careers.
In the Online MBA, courses such as Web Analytics, Financial Policy and Evaluation and Analytics for Managers teach students about data-based decision making in a variety of contexts, from brand development to social media to financial forecasting. Students will also gain familiarity with industry-standard data analytics tools, like R and Tableau, that allow data to be clearly analyzed and visualized.
No. 2: Agile and Critical Thinking
While it is highly important to make decisions based on data, business leaders must also be able to adapt strategies to situations that cannot be predicted. Business can be volatile, and it takes an agile mind to come up with novel solutions based on the information at hand. Business leaders must be able to make data-derived conclusions with the understanding that unexpected circumstances can arise at any moment, rendering prior strategies and decisions more or less irrelevant.
The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University emphasizes innovation and creative thinking, especially when it comes to management, technology and problem-solving. By incorporating courses such as Managing People, Corporate Communications and Management of Technology and Innovation into the Online MBA coursework, students have the opportunity to apply their critical thinking skills to real-world scenarios. By the time they graduate, students will have a flexible mindset that allows them to move smoothly through the ever-shifting business landscape.
No. 3: Interpersonal Communication
Given the business world’s current emphasis on AI adoption, which can increase efficiency but complicate communication, effectively communicating with one another is more important than ever. Human-to-human contact through networking, industry presentations and one-on-one meetings between managers and direct reports are foundational parts of business that will never go away.
Strong interpersonal skills improve how people work with each other, especially in the areas of communication, teamwork, leadership and customer relations. They contribute to organizational success by enabling a positive work environment where problems are solved quickly and effectively. People with exceptional interpersonal skills excel in navigating complex social dynamics, building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative workplace.
In terms of curricula, Tulane’s Managing for Success course teaches vital interpersonal skills like self awareness, communication and learning agility.
Tailoring Your Education to Your Career with the Tulane Online MBA
Most MBA programs have a general track as well as optional concentrations or elective courses. This way, students get educated in the most important aspects of modern business while retaining the flexibility to adjust their coursework to suit their desired career.
The Freeman School of Business at Tulane offers comprehensive business education through core coursework, as well as opportunities to specialize your education with three in-demand, optional concentrations. Concentration options include:
General skills, like the three outlined in this article, align with Tulane’s mission to enable strategic, critical and creative thinking. Mastering these core skills is a vital step toward gaining specialized skills. For example, a Tulane Online MBA student who chooses the business analytics concentration will be more likely to succeed if they master data-driven decision-making skills in their core coursework.
When deciding which MBA program to pursue, keep in mind that reputable schools will provide career services resources to help students make the best educational decisions for their career.
The Freeman School of Business’s Career Management Center was built to support all Freeman attendees and graduates — including online students. Services include:
- One-on-one career advising
- Mock interviews
- Resumé reviews
Alumni can also benefit from the Career Management Center’s alumni network of business professionals and jobs portal.
About the Online MBA at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University
The Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University is structured to allow you space for in-depth exploration within your areas of interest alongside the development of core competencies in accounting, data analytics, finance, marketing and operations. While a concentration is not required as part of the 46 required credits, you may pursue up to two of the following: Business Analytics, Finance or Marketing.
The program is designed to meet the needs of professionals from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Regardless of your desired concentration or industry, you’ll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of business and managerial concepts and the practical skills to make informed business decisions and lead in your organization.
In the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Freeman climbed 19 spots among the nation’s top MBA programs. This is one of the biggest year-over-year changes among ranked programs and reflects Freeman’s continued commitment to excellence and innovation in business education.
Download a program brochure or start your application for the Online Master of Business Administration.
Get the Online MBA Program Brochure
To download a program brochure and learn more about the Online Master of Business Administration offered by the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an admissions counselor directly by calling us toll-free at 800-856-9981.