Top Skills You Will Gain from a DBA Program that Employers in Singapore Value

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a Doctoral degree that focuses on experienced managers and working professionals who are willing to develop research skills. It is similar to a PhD, but it focuses more on the practical aspect.  

In this blog, we will guide aspiring professionals on what DBA skills they should acquire if they are interested in pursuing a job in the competitive Singapore market. We will then explore various DBA programs available on our upGrad platform.  

Our partner universities offer career support services, networking opportunities, and flexibility that will help you build a DBA career. Let’s take a look at the details in this blog.

DBA Skills that Employers in Singapore Value the Most

Singapore employers value DBA skills that reflect leadership qualities essential for managing a global team and understanding cultural differences. Listed below are five main skills that prepare students for DBA jobs.

Skill	Application	Job Relevance
Advanced Strategic Thinking	Creating strategies	Navigating the regional competition
Data-Driven Decision-Making	Creating policies based on data	Helping in forecasting and making responsible decisions
Leadership and Change Management	Redesigning the organisation	Managing a multicultural team and handling changes
Applied Research and Problem-Solving	Applying theoretical knowledge to real-world issues	Solving complex problems brings new initiatives
Global and Cross-Cultural Business Perspective	Handling a global team	Critical in handling Singapore’s multicultural team

Advanced Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking refers to creating long-term strategies that include analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation to develop effective plans. Key points in achieving it are:

• Having a long-term vision rather than focusing on the immediate future.
• Collecting information about recent market trends and competitors.
• Preparing for potential challenges and creating an escape plan.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Data-driven decision-making (DDDM) refers to using data and metrics to make decisions and predict outcomes. It reduces the risk of uncertainties and improves productivity. It can be done by:

• Collecting relevant data from reliable sources.
• Identifying trends and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Creating plans based on the data and monitoring the outcome.

Leadership and Change Management

Change Management refers to a systematic process that helps employees adapt to changes. They can be beneficial to organisations by:

• Implementing changes depending on the employees’ needs.
• Identifying growth opportunities based on feedback.
• Developing strategies to reduce loss and enabling employees to adapt to changes.

Applied Research and Problem-Solving

Applied Research refers to the use of scientific research to create solutions to real-world problems. It is relevant in the Singapore job market because it:

• Investigate the problem to understand the root cause.
• Creates hypotheses by using research methodology.
• Implements effective solutions to eradicate the issues.

Also read: DBA Research vs PhD Research: What’s the Difference?

Global and Cross-Cultural Business Perspective

Singapore is a global hub with a diverse team. These cultural nuances can often lead to friction, and they need to be tackled by proper communication and understanding of a cross-cultural business perspective. It can be achieved in the following ways:

• Recognising the challenges of diversity and identifying blind spots.
• Understanding various communication styles- verbal as well as written.
• Asking open-ended questions for clarity.

Why These DBA Skills Matter in Singapore’s Job Market

Singapore employers value DBA skills as they bring a host of leadership qualities essential for the organisation. These skills are more focused on applying knowledge to real-world issues. Some of the reasons these skills matter are:

1. Transformation: Singapore’s job market is a hub for innovation due to government-led initiatives. So, these latest market trends demand leaders who can bring digital transformation and comply with all the regulations.

2. Adaptability: Employers need leaders who can adapt in the case of technological advancements or any supply chain disruptions. A quick thinker with a knack for problem-solving is a good fit for any organisation.

3. Global perspective: A leader with strong business acumen who understands the cultural differences on an international level can be an asset for any organisation. Having a global perspective can be beneficial in managing global teams.

Elevate Your Skills with DBA Programs via upGrad

upGrad Singapore offers a wide range of DBA programs in partnership with globally recognised universities. These programs enhance leadership skills to prepare professionals for senior-level roles. Let’s look at some of the best programs on our website:

1. Doctor of Business Administration from Golden Gate University: This WASC-accredited course can be completed in 36 months. Students are offered to choose any one of the four concentrations:

• Finance
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Business Analytics

2. Doctor of Business Administration from Edgewood University: This HLC-accredited program can be completed in 24 months. Students have the option to attend on-campus classes. They can choose from any of the two concentrations:

• Finance
• Leadership

3. Doctor of Business Administration from ESGCI: This institute is accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. This course can be completed in 36 months. 

4. Doctor of Business Administration from Rushford Business School: This course can be completed in 36 months, and students have the option to attend a 3-day campus tour in Dubai. Students can choose from any of the 10 specialisations offered:

• Big Data
• Supply Chain Management
• Human Resource Management

Don’t forget to check out our other blogs for more tips and insights on building a successful career:

• DBA Admission Requirements in Singapore
• How To Choose The Right Online DBA Program In Singapore
• Doctor of Business Administration Eligibility in Top Universities
• How to Choose a DBA Research Topic That Adds Real Business Value
• Do You Need to Write a Dissertation for a DBA in Singapore

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