Skills you need to thrive in the new digital economy: the 7 Cs
Welcome to the new Global Digital Economy, where the “7 Cs” must be added to reading, writing, and arithmetic as basic knowledge and skills needed to succeed. This digital economy was already emerging but arrived with a bang with COVID-19. The entire world was forced to go digital practically overnight.
The 7 Cs were unveiled at the ASU GSV Summit on April 1, 2020. The summit is a renowned educational-technical event by Arizona State University and Global Silicon Valley (GSV). ASU GSV responded to the pandemic by converting its in-person event to a virtual video conference.
The “big, hairy audacious goal” of ASU GSV is to assure that everybody has an equal opportunity to participate in the future. For this to happen, they need knowledge, education, and skills. These directly correlate to income security and the ability to thrive.
CAN YOU COMPETE?
Virtanza’s mission, too, is to give motivated adults the skills they need to compete in what GSV founder Michael Moe calls the Age of Digital Learning. We’ll explore the 7 Cs individually in a series of posts over the next several weeks. First, an overview of the 7 Cs as the educational foundation for this new age of digital learning: critical thinking, creativity, cultural fluency, civic engagement, character, collaboration, and communication:
Entrepreneurs and others must have critical thinking skills. They must be able to understand and analyze information, then develop workable solutions that solve problems.
Creativity is necessary for everyone, and particularly for entrepreneurs. They must think creatively to develop a business, innovate, and adapt to market changes.
In the global marketplace, cultural fluency is vital. People must be able to understand other cultures and norms to participate in the future.
Civic engagement, which is akin to sustainability, involves having respect for the history of culture and the benefits of being part of a society.
Character is “the foundation of everything, individual or business,” in Moe’s words.
Collaboration, being able to work on a team successfully whether in person or virtually, is necessary to produce successful outcomes.
Communication, in person, or text, or virtually, is vital to being able to participate and thrive in the future.
GET GOOD AT GOING DIGITAL
“Our goal at Virtanza is to help shape the future for sales professionals. We have a ready-now online training course in the virtual selling process,” says Virtanza CEO and Founder Debbie Holzkamp. “We have the tools and content for easy training implementation by universities, adult education programs, and employers.”
“With the mandate for social distancing, even field salespeople now have to work remotely, using online video, social selling, email, and more,” write Andris A. Zoltners , PK Sinha and Sally E. Lorimer in “4 Things Sales Organizations Must Do to Adapt to the Crisis” in Harvard Business Review.
Virtanza’s students tackle the digital learning curve. They are also schooled in a proven consultative sales process. Coursework aligns with the 7 Cs for success in the new global digital economy. Graduates receive a digital badge certifying them as sales professionals. This powerful combination gives them a competitive advantage in the job market.
Virtanza's team of coaches follow up on graduates’ virtual education by introducing them to major employers. The company works with a wide network of major employers, both national and Fortune 500, who have a wealth of positions for qualified sales professionals.