Stand Up. Step Up. Play to Win. 10 Steps to Advance Your Career Pt. 1

If getting ahead was only about hard work the executive halls would be filled with “the next in line.” The work that you do is important but more important is, knowing how you add value and learning to demonstrate and communicate that value continually. Learn the rules of the game, apply them and you will stand head and shoulders above your other hardworking peers.

There are ten steps that you can take to raise your company profile and advance your career.

1. LEARN THE BUSINESS. How does the business make money? Who are the customers? What do they want? How and when do they want it? Identify what the business does to serve customers and how the business generates profits. Identify the key products and work groups that drive the business success.

2. LEARN HOW YOU IMPACT THE BUSINESS. Plot the path from your job to the buying customer. Connect the dots. Make the direct link between what the business does to generate profits and the job that you do each day. Evaluate your approach to projects and the tasks that you spend the most time on. Are the activities that you’re focusing on costing the company money, saving the company money, or increasing revenue? If you find that you are spending time on tasks that add no bottom-line value stop it. Take on a new approach that is aligned with the organizational goals.

3. GET CLEAR ON THE GOALS. Demonstrate how well you understand the big picture. When issues and challenges arise, resist the urge to jump in with solutions. Before you do anything pinpoint the goal. Determine how the company will benefit from any actions taken. Continually talk about the goals of the organization, your department, and your team. Help others see the importance of establishing goals that are aligned with the overall mission. Ask clarifying questions that drive discussions toward the accomplishment of goals. Suggest ways to get everyone moving in that direction. When the team gets off track refocus them on the goals.

4. TAKE ON TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS. If you know that you have the ability to successfully complete projects that have not been offered to you, ask for them. If there are projects that others shy away from, nominate yourself for the job. Make sure you clarify with the stakeholder how your success will be measured before you begin. Identify the resources that you need, the people that can help you succeed, and ask for help before you get in too deep? Take the time to write down the things that you learned along the way. Even if you don’t hit a homerun you will be more prepared your next time on deck.

5. CREATE NAME RECOGNITION. To get ahead you need to be known beyond the boundaries of your own department. Look for opportunities to link up with other departments or workgroups for projects. Consider the units or departments that are on the receiving end of work that you do. What groups send work to you? If you are working on something that touches other departments communicate your findings, actions taken, or desire to be kept in the loop. Attend open meetings about company issues or volunteer as the liaison from your department on special committees. Identify key people in the organization that you need to know and those who should know you. Use your connections to ask for introductions. Know how you want to be introduced in the conversation or email. Once connected leave a positive lasting impression.