No-one gets promoted for turning up each day, working nine to five and doing what they are told. True, you might be seen as the model employee, and certainly a reliable staff member, but it’s unlikely to deliver you extra dollars in your pay packet.
As marketers we’re ideas people, we use our talents every day to deliver projects and add value to our customers and stakeholders. So, why is it many of us don’t apply this talent to our careers?
If you're wondering how to make an impression on your boss, here are a few tips on getting noticed and rewarded. And, if you play your cards right, a promotion to the next step of your career.
Phase: 1 Planning
Have a good look around your company. Is there anything that could be done better from a marketing perspective? These are the types of things to think about:
· A niche market that’s being ignored
· A cross selling opportunity
· Improvements to scripting or sales collateral
· A way to improve customer loyalty
· A more efficient way of doing things
Whatever it is, work out a plan of how you would tackle the opportunity. Try to make sure it’s not too large a project, it has to be something you’re capable of handling on top of your normal workload.
Work out budgets, time frames and an expected return on investment. Then draft a project plan.
Phase 2: Selling it to your Boss
Once you’ve thought through your proposal, arrange a time with your manager to present your ideas.
You will need to be positive and enthusiastic, and prepared to take ownership of the project. Remember it’s a sales pitch, you need to demonstrate all the benefits to be gained from your idea.
Be prepared for any objections, such as how you will find the time, or how you might get the extra funds.
Phase 3: Delivery
Great! Your boss loved it and asked you to implement your plan.
Make sure you stay on top of your normal day job while rolling out your project (unless, of course, your boss thought your idea was so important that they’ve re-assigned your duties so you can concentrate on it). Be prepared to put in some extra hours.
Anything that’s worth achieving is not without effort.
Phase 4: Celebrating Success
Once your project is successfully delivered, make sure you record the results and write up a review so you’ve got some concrete facts to present to your manager in a meeting. This is the ideal time to ask for the pay rise you’ve been angling for or to highlight the career path you would like to follow.
There are no guarantees to pay rises or promotions, of course. But at the very least you will have earned yourself some brownie points for your next review, and you’ll have given yourself some great job satisfaction in the process.
Here’s to your successful career in marketing!
Looking for more tips on being a better marketer? Follow me on Twitter: @CraftWrite
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