Don’t look now, but about 6% of 2026 is already behind us. For professionals like you, the clock ticks on taking that next step in your career.

So how do you get there? Your instincts may tell you it’s a matter of taking your AI game to the next level. We agree: AI upskilling is essential for all professionals. That’s table stakes.

However, we believe the big question you should be asking as you start 2026 is: “What else can I also do, in addition to becoming stronger in AI, to differentiate myself?”

We asked a variety of experts this very question, received many thoughtful responses, and offer here, to you, their top four suggestions for leveling up in the new year. The good news? All four tips are quickly actionable — a tweak here or there to your approach. Think of it in terms of your kitchen. The suggestions here are akin to turning the dials on your stove, not remodeling the whole room. We know you’re already pressed for time, and your AI learning is surely taking some of your excess capacity as it is.

So read on for tips on a few other minor adjustments that could make all the difference in a fiercely competitive marketplace.

1. Become a master storyteller.

“Being good at your job is no longer enough,” advises career coach Dana Zellers, who’s consulted for clients such as Uber and X. “In 2026, leaders are looking for people who can connect dots, anticipate tradeoffs and explain why something matters.”

The good news? There are plenty of resources right at-hand for you to begin honing your storytelling game. CMA members are particularly in the catbird seat here, with access to exclusive telling training, as well as resources from The Presentation Company, market leaders in helping professionals hone their messaging at a time where attention spans are shorter than ever.

Looking to improve your storytelling chops but don’t know where to start? Begin with your email box. This piece gives you a powerful, easy-to-use five-step framework to take your emails from “TLDR territory” to “can’t-miss” reading.

You also won’t want to miss TPC’s session at the 2026 CMA-SIMA Conference in Las Vegas Feb. 15-18.

2. Communicate your value in an artful, strategic way.

“In AI-accelerated environments, visibility comes from results, not busyness,” says Barbara Roos, a former Intel executive and founder of a communications and change management consultancy. She suggests this three-step process for how to keep stakeholders informed of your impact:

Track what changed because of your contribution.
Quantify outcomes where possible (time saved, risk reduced, clarity gained).
Practice summarizing work as before → after → value driven by the work.

You can get started quickly on this step, too. Retail and CPG professionals should begin by reading our recent Space Planning Community feature on how to get more credit for your work. There are plenty of actionable tips no matter your function, including valuable insights from career experts and successful employees alike on how to build — and sustain — winning communications strategies to highlight your accomplishments in a compelling, effective manner.

3. Get fluent in what drives financial performance.

“Focus on business and financial fluency,” says Dr. Yi Zhang, founder of The Learning Brand enterprise learning consultancy and a veteran of Microsoft, Walmart, PwC and United Airlines. “The retail and [customer experience] landscape has been evolving very quickly, and professionals don't operate only within their functional lane. Geopolitical and economic pressures have tightened margins of the businesses. Promotions increasingly go to those who understand how the impact they make directly connect to ROI and business risks.”

CMA members are again at an advantage here, with quick-but-comprehensive trainings for brushing up on financial fundamentals. Course 419, Business Finance for Non-Finance Professionals, is recommended as both a refresher and an illuminator for those seeking to speak the language of business. Members and non-members are also encouraged to check out the CMA’s Content Library for other thought leadership on matters like pricing and revenue growth management. Take the lessons you learn here, tie them back to your work using your improved storytelling chops — and now you’re really cooking.

4. Network, network, network!

Even if you’re in-seat and happy with your job, networking remains an excellent habit. Zellers challenges professionals to have a proactive, always-on approach to networking. Do it more and it feels natural, not clunky, like nervously shuffling from table-to-table at those job fairs in poorly lit hotel ballrooms we’ve all been to at some point.

“This isn’t networking in the cheesy sense. It’s becoming someone others want to work with and advocate for,” Zellers says. “The strongest opportunities in 2026 will continue to come through people, not postings. Upskilling here means learning how to build trust, ask for help, and maintain a network before you need it.”

The right networking approach for you is yours alone. Perhaps it’s LinkedIn. Maybe it’s picking up the phone once a week and catching up with contacts with whom you’ve lost touch. No matter your strategy, you need one. Make it part of your routine to start the new and see where it takes you. Looking for ideas to get started? Our recent "Retail Unfiltered" program with networking expert and career coach Polly Rowland is full of sparks.

Your Four-Point Plan

2026 is your year to get your AI house in order. Now, layer these four strategies atop that:

Learn how to become a master storyteller.
Strategically communicate your value.
Nail down those financial fundamentals.
Take your networking from “cheesy” and infrequent to active, anticipatory and sharp.

Utilize those five tools together, and add what makes you special to the mix. And then, you’ll have unique position in a competitive marketplace, because when AI expertise becomes expected, it’s the rest of your toolbox that becomes so important to have at the ready.