SERIES: Simple tips and tricks for training 16 relevant basic competences - PART 4

What exactly is competences in industry-led and digital methods?

The common technical and methodological skills can be assigned to this category and focus in the survey specifically on aspects that are relevant to banking sector . When we talk about digital methodological skills, we primarily mean the ability to use digital tools, technologies and methods effectively to complete professional tasks. Such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Excel, Miro, PowerPoint, etc.

If you have already completed the first step of the skillaware competence compass, you will have encountered the following industry and methodological competencies:

• Technical implementation
• Data processing
• Digital communication
• Data protection and information security

How can the four competencies be described in more detail?

In addition to a pure definition of competencies, there are also so-called action anchors that can be assigned to competencies. In reality, they help us to determine whether someone is good or less good at a competence . This is because, unlike knowledge, competencies are visible in a person's actual actions. We can test this through observation by comparing the action anchors with a person's demonstrated behavior.

Table with competence definitions and action anchors

The table defines competence at a higher level and shows which behaviors a person will exhibit when competence has already become second nature to him or her.

Tips and tricks for your Competence training

Did you know that you don't necessarily have to attend formal training or courses to develop your skills? You can train almost all interdisciplinary skills on your own. Just 5-10 minutes a day is usually enough. Curious? Then here are our training tips that can be easily and practically integrated into your everyday (professional) life: 

Technical implementation

Tip 1: If you have a problem with a tool, it is very likely that other people have already had a similar experience. And this is precisely why solutions can be found on the Internet in almost all cases. So if you get stuck, try googling the problem. There are often simple explanatory videos that take you step-by-step to the solution.

Tip 2: Even if your employer only uses specific tools, try to see what's new on the market from time to time. You can also tap into your private sources and get an update from your son, daughter or nieces and nephews, for example.

Data processing

Tip 1: There is a wide range of short practice videos on the Internet, especially for PowerPoint or Excel. These usually last no longer than 2 minutes. Do 2-3 of them a week. This will allow you to train your confidence in using the tools without too much effort.

Tip 2: Are you planning your private budget? Try using Excel or PowerPoint to record and visualize your income and expenditure. And if you're feeling funny, present your work to your family. Again, you can get tips from videos on the Internet.

Digital communication

Tip 1: Nowadays, we tend to send most of our information by email. This is nothing negative per se and, on the contrary, has many advantages. But every now and then, consciously check whether a quick phone call or online call might get you to your destination even faster.

Tip 2: Always bear in mind that it is best not to share sensitive content such as names, photos from the last company party, email addresses, passwords or telephone numbers by email. If in doubt, encrypt with a password or upload to a secure cloud.

Data protection and information security

Tip: Even if it is tempting: Never use the same password for all your accounts. But how should you set passwords and how? There is a special method for this.

1. Take any relatively long word that you can remember well: e.g. chimney sweep or screwdriver
2. Replace a letter with a visually matching number, e.g. the o with the 0 or an A with the 4
3. Now take the provider for which you are currently setting up an online account / setting a password. E.g. LinkedIn. Put the first and last letters in capital letters after your first word. In this case, that would be "LN" (= LinkedIn)
4. Then insert a special character. E.g. an "@" or a "!". Other special characters are also possible!
5. Finally, add a number. The number is not chosen at random, but is the sum of all the letters of the provider, tool, etc.
6. In our example it would be 8 letters, because we want to set a password for your LinkedIn login and LinkedIn has 8 letters.

Your password for your LinkedIn account could therefore be as follows: Sch0rnsteinfeger@LN8 or Schr4ubenzieher!LN8

We hope these tips were helpful for you and wish you continued success in training your interdisciplinary skills!