Top 7 Business Strategy Certifications to Advance Your Career in 2021
Improve your likelihood of developing effective business strategies with global strategic management certifications. Which qualification suits your needs the best?
The demand for professionals who can participate in business discussions and give strategic direction to organizations’ decisions is increasing. LinkedIn’s latest survey on “jobs on the rise in 2021” reports that companies have up their hiring for strategic advisors and business coaches by 45% and more since 2019.
Leadership, communication, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning skills are some of the highly sought tenacities in business strategists. We round up 7 global certifications that will help you build a foundation in business and cultivate the skills required in the industry.
Business is about a confluence of many aspects — marketing, HR, IT, Operations, and more. To narrow our focus, we have lined up top business and management certifications based on different specializations.
Top 7 Business Certifications, by Specialization
Certification
Domain
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
Operations Consulting
Associate Business Strategy Professional (ABSPTM)
Strategy Consulting
Senior Business Strategy Professional (SBSPTM)
Strategy Consulting
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management
Salesforce Certified Administrator
Customer Relationship Management
Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
Business Analytics
HubSpot Inbound Marketing
Marketing Consulting
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
APICS is an association for the supply chain management. It offers certifications for supply chain professionals and covers end-to-end operational strategies — from supplier to customer.
Who is it aimed at?
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is aimed at people looking to develop streamlined operations at their organizations. This business certification develops qualified operators and supervisors in supply chain.
What do you need?
ü 3 years of business experience, OR
ü Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, OR
ü One of the active APICS certifications
How to prepare?
The CSCP exam consists of three sections dedicated to supply chain design, supply chain planning and execution, and supply chain improvements and best practices. The exam
Associate Business Strategy Professional (ABSPTM)
The Strategy Institute (TSI) is one of its kind education organization with strong global credentials focused on strategy planning and business management. Its certifications cover all business functions — people, process, technology, and organizational structure — keeping strategy at their core.
Who is it aimed at?
Associate Business Strategy Professional (ABSPTM) is sought by professionals from both business and IT. New graduates looking to work in strategic management capacity and become business strategists. ABSPTM is more than a certificate. It’s a skillset to proactively manage and mitigate the problems in business.
What do you need?
ü Master’s with 3 years of experience, OR
ü Bachelor’s with 5 years of experience, OR
ü Master’s student at TSI-affiliated institution
How to prepare?
There are several ways you can prepare for the ABSPTM exam that’s conducted remotely. One option is to do self-study through digital and printed resource books sent by TSI. You can attend classes by TSI-affiliated academic partners across the world.
Senior Business Strategy Professional (SBSPTM)
Also offered by the Strategy Institute (TSI), Senior Business Strategy Professional (SBSPTM) prepares leaders for functional specializations and open multiple strategic roles.
Who is it aimed at?
SBSPTM is ideal business certification for senior professionals looking to get into leadership positions, rise in their current roles, land new positions, and drive strategic agendas at organizations. It gives a global spin to the professional experience.
What do you need?
ü Master’s with 8 years of experience, OR
ü Bachelor’s with 10 years of experience, OR
ü Alumnus of TSI-affiliated institution with 5 years of experience.
How to prepare?
TSI provides digital and printed resource books along with giving continuous support to prepare for the exam. Its exams are 100% online and can be taken up from home.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute (PMI) specializes in project management business certifications. It offers PMP.
Who is it aimed at?
PMP is sought by professionals who wish to become project managers. Many people go on to take PMP certification for its recognized by all industries and can improve hiring quotient of a person.
What do you need?
ü High school diploma, an associate degree or equivalent,
ü Over 7500 hours of project experience (can be waived if you have a 4-year degree), and
ü 35 hours of project management education.
Salesforce Certified Administrator
It is not a vendor-neutral certification unlike others mentioned above. Offered by Salesforce, it offers expertise in using Salesforce CRM.
Who is it aimed at?
Professionals who work on Salesforce — from helpdesk and lead management to customer service — can take certification of administrative level from Salesforce.
What do you need?
ü A decent familiarity with the Salesforce platform.
How to prepare?
Salesforce provides classes and workshops to aspirants to prepare for the remote proctored credential exam. You may have to give a few extra dollars for the classes.
Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) offers CBAP. It tests one on business analytics skillsets and the ability to find solutions from the analysis.
Who is it aimed at?
Product managers, trainees, and business strategists with some experience can take CBAP certification if they have an interest in business analytics.
What do you need?
ü 7500+ hours of business analysis experience,
ü Two references, and
ü 35 hours of professional development in past four years.
How to prepare?
IIBA provides sample question papers and knowledge support through its website for aspirants.
HubSpot Inbound Marketing
HubSpot is a platform to manage customers via marketing, sales, and helpdesks. HubSpot is famous for its marketing-related expertise among all business certifications.
Who is it aimed at?
Inbound marketing certification is ideal for aspiring and new marketing professionals looking to understand content creation, use of social media, and other digital tools to attract customers.
What do you need?
ü No eligibility requisites.
How to prepare?
HubSpot provides complete knowledge support. You will need to complete 7 lessons, watch 34 videos, and take 8 quizzes to earn the certification.
Whether you are starting or are a professional looking for promotion and career advancement, the right business certification will enhance your competencies, and align your interest and with the organization.
