There is a positive correlation between the perception of your value and your income. People who bring more value to the table and make things happen are better placed to negotiate favourable benefits than those who do not.
In the first part of this article, which was published in the last edition, we examined five value boosters that can enhance a person’s career prospects within any organisation.
They were boosting revenues, managing cost or reducing waste, improved communication, learning a new language and driving skills.
Here are five other enablers:
There is a positive correlation between the perception of your value and your income. People who bring more value to the table and make things happen are better placed to negotiate favourable benefits than those who do not.
In the first part of this article, which was published in the last edition, we examined five value boosters that can enhance a person’s career prospects within any organisation.
They were boosting revenues, managing cost or reducing waste, improved communication, learning a new language and driving skills.
Here are five other enablers:
6. Get a passport: This may sound almost bizarre, but having a passport is not just a right and an important proof of citizenship or nationality, but also an indication of your readiness to take your place in the global marketplace. Not surprisingly, employees and other people who do not have passports may not see the issue as having any relevance to their work or career progression.
However, I recall nominating a hardworking manager for a fully-paid trip to South Africa many years ago and having to cancel the offer because he had no passport. Keep a valid passport at all times and be available to seize any opportunities that may come your way from any part of the world.
7. Acquire the requisite software and skills: Your strategy for enhancing your value may involve a deliberate or planned programme to add something new at regular intervals. You could decide to learn one new skill or something to enhance your value every year. One such investment could be to learn new computer software. Each job opening or opportunity has the requisite software for success and rapid progress in it. You need to know the software or programme that will be required in your career or area of interest and invest in it.
Even if you are already working or unsure of the next steps in your career, perfecting a generic word processor such as Microsoft Word or a spread sheet such as Excel or learning how to present with PowerPoint can definitely brighten your prospects.
The more you know, the better placed you will be to take advantage of diverse job opportunities or any promotion that may come your way.
8. Cultivate a solid network of relationships: Your progress towards career success can be greatly enhanced by the quality of people around you and your network of relationships.
Your business contacts, social networks, membership of professional groupings and similar networks could have a positive impact, especially if you are in sales and marketing or any other field that requires you to interface with different segments of the public. Make a determined effort to harvest quality relationships, treasure them and invest in them. As you nurture them, they will, in turn, nurture you and create opportunities for you.
9. Become a specialist: Educate yourself or take courses in specialised or emerging areas. Research into upcoming trends in your industry or find an area of weakness in your organisation and establish yourself as the expert. It may require additional education, training or certifications but if you become the key person for all related matters, you will become an indispensable asset to your organisation.
Similarly, you can enhance your value by taking a professional course in your chosen field. This could be in the area of banking, marketing, accounting or insurance. Holders of chartered qualifications such as CIM, CA, ACCA, AIB and other similar programmess tend to attract higher remunerations.
10. Stand out in a positive way: You easily stand out when you consistently add value to your job and your decision-makers begin to appreciate who you are and what you do. Your presence must be felt in a positive way and linked to the contributions you personally make. Don´t expect your boss to automatically notice your extra work, additional training, creative ideas and special projects. You may be enthusiastic and intelligent, communicate effectively, exhibit strong leadership skills, embrace change, work efficiently and possess technical competence and strong interpersonal skills. Yet, you could still be at a disadvantage simply because you make no effort to communicate to your boss that the skills, ideas and commitment you bring to your work are vital to team success.
Conclusion
To convince your boss that you and your job are essential and deserving of promotion, you must think about what you bring to your job and the unique, significant impact you have on your organisation and its customers. You must also demonstrate this contribution to your boss in a persuasive way. You must convince people that you have a positive impact on bottom-line profits by showing them how you help make and save money.
Many people argue, whine and complain about their jobs, duties, customers, equipment and co-workers. If you attract attention by being negative, don´t be surprised when you lose your job! Negative attention does not help. People should associate your name, face and expertise with positive feelings about your work, teamwork, customer commitment and the value you bring.
Do your customers, co-workers and supervisors know who you are? And if they do, would a discussion about you and your work be positive and favourable? Are you essential to your organisation’s growth? Are you the one person your company should retain and never let go? Even if all your answers are yes, you still need to document your contribution. You don´t need to brag or boast but you do need to maintain a healthy self-confidence and communicate your value to sell yourself. You should be able to clearly articulate upon demand the unique value you bring to the business in a statement or paragraph whenever you are called upon. Have a positive attitude and soon your energy and enthusiasm will help motivate your colleagues and customers.
Communicate assertively and work cooperatively in team settings. Be flexible and accept change when a new idea seems appropriate. Let your employer know how you can best help increase productivity and profitability. And keep your negative thoughts and complaints to yourself.
To rise to the top of your organisation, determine your unique contribution that brings added value and explore ways to communicate that value to relevant stakeholders. Think of the ways you can help solve problems, make money, save money and position yourself as a valuable team member. Once you determine these factors, you can answer the all-important question; ‘What added value do I bring to my job that contributes directly to the financial stability, success and growth of my organisation?’