Author and entrepreneur Michael Masterson has a new book out that I can't wait to read: "Seven Years to Seven Figures". Masterson is an expert copywriter and excellent business advisor, and I enjoy reading his stuff on a regular basis.
He offered up this advice on "becoming a more valuable employee" recently, and I wanted to pass it along to you. Since sales is a super-competitive business, I thought that more than a few sales professionals could use some tips on how to vault themselves ahead of their competition...the same principles that has allowed Dwight Schrute to become all that he has become on NBC's The Office (which you should be watching every Thursday night at 8:30pm):
"If you want to increase your income, your first objective should be to transform yourself into a more valuable employee. You can do that by:
- Working longer hours
There is no better way to demonstrate your commitment to your company than by getting to work earlier than everybody else and staying later.
- Understanding your responsibilities
You may have received a job description when you were hired and it may do a pretty good job of telling you what you have to do. But until you figure out how the company works, how it makes its money, how it creates a profit, and what place it occupies in the marketplace, you won't understand what really matters.
- Working harder
You want a higher income. You recognize that you can expect to get one only by becoming a more valuable employee. Working longer hours and understanding how your job affects the company's bottom line are critical components ... but it is old-fashioned hard work that sets you apart.
- Working smarter
Ask questions. Read memos. Take work-related courses. Do everything you can to make yourself smarter and more effective at what you do.
- Helping your boss do better
Doing your own job well is good. But doing that and helping your boss do his job well is a whole lot better. In most businesses, most of the time, power is transferred from the boss to his best employee. If that's the way your business works, when you help your boss move up by making him look good, he'll do the same for you.
Keep in mind that, as an employee, you have a distinct advantage over your boss, because you are probably, in some way or another, closer to the action. You may be closer to the customers or to the production process or to the fulfillment problems. You may be closer to what goes on internally ... the strife and turmoil among employees.
Whatever it is, you have an opportunity to help your boss succeed by coming up with perspectives, questions, and solutions he can't clearly see.
Do that and he'll be your strongest supporter when it comes time to upgrade your income."
Darn it! Most of it involves working harder.
Are you up for the task? This reminds me of a quote that I've always kept close to heart: "Luck favors the prepared". Getting ahead in your career isn't "luck". Most of it involves hard work.
So get to it.
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