Actively Market Your Value
- Date: 2007-06-14 - Word Count: 790
Share This!
"Bodacious" means to be bold, outstanding, and remarkable. Take those attributes to work and you're on your way to building a fulfilling, bodacious career. Does having a bodacious career sound exciting to you? It is! After starting as an $8 an hour customer service rep, I rose through the ranks of AOL, accepting four promotions and surviving over six layoffs to become the head of corporate training for 12,000 employees. Along the way I learned I needed to be bodacious to achieve the career I wanted. Out of that experience I created my "cheat sheet" of ten essential Bodacious Career Builders. Here's number four: Actively Market Your Value
One day while I was driving north on the interstate to speak at Princeton University, a billboard suddenly caught my attention. Amongst all the other colorful billboards promoting products and services that to this day I can't remember, this billboard was white with some simple black lettering. In large letters it read: Don't Advertise! "Huh?" I thought. Then I read the smaller writing below the alarming statement: Success is Overrated. "What?! No, it's not!" my mind was screaming. Now thoroughly engaged, I noticed the smallest print on the sign: If You Disagree, Call This Number. "Brilliant!" I said out loud to myself, "Just brilliant!"
Why did I consider this contrarian statement brilliant? Simple. Because if people don't know who you are and what you offer, they can't buy from you. And, without customers you don't have a successful business.
The same is true for your career in an organization. If people don't know who you are and your abilities, they can't consider you for new opportunities or reward you for your contribution.
So, just like a business selling a product or service, you have to actively market yourself in and outside your company to be known. No one can do it for you. If others start bringing up your name it's because you made yourself known in the first place.
This is where your internal girl good alert might be going off. "I don't like talking about myself! That's bragging, selfish and distasteful!" Well, I'm here to say no it's not! Bragging is being arrogant and big-headed. There's nothing big-headed about stating what's TRUE about you, your abilities and your accomplishments. It's all in the way you say it.
We are all tuned into the same radio station, whether we realize it or not. The station's call letters are WIIFM - what's in it for me. If you want to be viewed as a valuable player in your company or work group, you must proactively communicate what you're doing and how it's helping others. How it helps your boss or an individual. Or, how it helps the organization achieve its goals. Make it about them, make it clear the part you play, and make it positive.
So often I see women (and men) who assume that others know who they are, understand their role, and how they've contributed to the company. Most of the time, this isn't the case! The reality is that most people you work with or reach out to have their heads filled with all that's going on in their lives and haven't given you one thought! They aren't being mean or rude. Their lives are just extremely busy. So, to market your value, you have to do the thinking for them. You have to proactively inform them about you in ways that help them out.
For example, if your dream is to get promoted to the next level in your company, how do you promote the value of your work to your boss? I wrote weekly reports to my AOL manager that marketed my achievements and value to the department. I also photocopied thank-you letters for a job well done and forwarded similar e-mails to my boss. These actions helped him know that I was getting the job done, so he didn't have to worry, and how people were responding, which would ultimately reflect upon him.
An effective marketing plan doesn't just do this once or in one way. That's why I sent weekly reports. I needed to keep tying my latest accomplishments to the department's goals. In addition to my weekly e-mails I also repeated the same information at in person staff meetings and with individuals when it was relevant to the conversation.
Marketing your value may feel a little awkward at first, but with a little practice to make it feel authentic, the initial discomfort will melt away. Your reward is others viewing you with greater esteem, which sets you up for even greater success. Because, after all, success isn't over rated, it feels fabulous!
BODACIOUS CAREER BUILDER #4: Proactively communicate who you are, what you do, and how it's currently benefiting your manager, department or the company.
One day while I was driving north on the interstate to speak at Princeton University, a billboard suddenly caught my attention. Amongst all the other colorful billboards promoting products and services that to this day I can't remember, this billboard was white with some simple black lettering. In large letters it read: Don't Advertise! "Huh?" I thought. Then I read the smaller writing below the alarming statement: Success is Overrated. "What?! No, it's not!" my mind was screaming. Now thoroughly engaged, I noticed the smallest print on the sign: If You Disagree, Call This Number. "Brilliant!" I said out loud to myself, "Just brilliant!"
Why did I consider this contrarian statement brilliant? Simple. Because if people don't know who you are and what you offer, they can't buy from you. And, without customers you don't have a successful business.
The same is true for your career in an organization. If people don't know who you are and your abilities, they can't consider you for new opportunities or reward you for your contribution.
So, just like a business selling a product or service, you have to actively market yourself in and outside your company to be known. No one can do it for you. If others start bringing up your name it's because you made yourself known in the first place.
This is where your internal girl good alert might be going off. "I don't like talking about myself! That's bragging, selfish and distasteful!" Well, I'm here to say no it's not! Bragging is being arrogant and big-headed. There's nothing big-headed about stating what's TRUE about you, your abilities and your accomplishments. It's all in the way you say it.
We are all tuned into the same radio station, whether we realize it or not. The station's call letters are WIIFM - what's in it for me. If you want to be viewed as a valuable player in your company or work group, you must proactively communicate what you're doing and how it's helping others. How it helps your boss or an individual. Or, how it helps the organization achieve its goals. Make it about them, make it clear the part you play, and make it positive.
So often I see women (and men) who assume that others know who they are, understand their role, and how they've contributed to the company. Most of the time, this isn't the case! The reality is that most people you work with or reach out to have their heads filled with all that's going on in their lives and haven't given you one thought! They aren't being mean or rude. Their lives are just extremely busy. So, to market your value, you have to do the thinking for them. You have to proactively inform them about you in ways that help them out.
For example, if your dream is to get promoted to the next level in your company, how do you promote the value of your work to your boss? I wrote weekly reports to my AOL manager that marketed my achievements and value to the department. I also photocopied thank-you letters for a job well done and forwarded similar e-mails to my boss. These actions helped him know that I was getting the job done, so he didn't have to worry, and how people were responding, which would ultimately reflect upon him.
An effective marketing plan doesn't just do this once or in one way. That's why I sent weekly reports. I needed to keep tying my latest accomplishments to the department's goals. In addition to my weekly e-mails I also repeated the same information at in person staff meetings and with individuals when it was relevant to the conversation.
Marketing your value may feel a little awkward at first, but with a little practice to make it feel authentic, the initial discomfort will melt away. Your reward is others viewing you with greater esteem, which sets you up for even greater success. Because, after all, success isn't over rated, it feels fabulous!
BODACIOUS CAREER BUILDER #4: Proactively communicate who you are, what you do, and how it's currently benefiting your manager, department or the company.
Related Tags: marketing, career, self promotion, self esteem, business women, women in business, careers for women, career building, bodacious, female careers, getting a promotion, strategic job tactics
Mary Foley, author of "Bodacious! Career: Outrageous Success for Working Women" inspires women to be courageously in charge of their lives, careers and businesses. You can be inspired, too! Get her free e-book "10 Bodacious Ways for a Bodacious Career today at http://www.GoBodacious.com/ebook . Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The No. 1 Rule For Projecting Confidence - Speak With Authority
One of the most important characteristics a person can project in a business setting - or any situat - After the Autumn Checkout European Debt Crisis and U.S. Brewing Rebound
In the commotion caused by the Fed on interest rates come to an end, the "disastrous" for the euro a - Advantages Of Arcade Game Rentals
There are many different advantages to arcade game rentals. Most people need something to release th - A General Primer on Truck Cargo Nets
In modern highways it is quite rare to see truck cargo nets in action, this is because they are usua - The United States Will Burst More Severe Financial Crisis
Not long ago, suddenly announced that the central bank to raise interest rates, the interest rate hi - Niche Marketing Profits - 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Profitable Niche Market Income in 10 Minutes
Like most beginners I was having a very difficult time trying to find a niche market to earn extra m - The Importance of Hospitality Management Consulting Firms Toronto
Businesses and the managers that help guide any business are in a constant state of improvement and - New Keynesian Theory Label
2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics three theories have been labeled as "New Keynesian" labe - Federal Reserve Pouring Money QE2 Unpredictable Fortune
U.S. economist Milton Friedman proposed a "throw the cash from a helicopter" view, while the practic - Fiscal Consolidation Should no Longer Delay
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced fiscal consolidation policy, shoc
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Common Financial Problems to Avoid
One must first change their habits and not procrastinate. American Consultants Inc at offers key fi - How a Bad Hire Can Hurt Your Business
What's worse - hiring the wrong person or not hiring anyone at all? Companies can become almost des - Joel Comm Is Dr. Adsense
What is Adsense? If you are new to making money online and net marketing, you may not know what Ads - 5 Steps For A Dynamic Wealth System Online
Recipe: Opportunity + knowledge + Dynamic Wealth System + Your Action = Massive Success!!! Step 1 - How To Stop Foreclosure
Losing your house to a foreclosure can be very scary. There are times when circumstances are ou - How to Always Pitch A Strike
As business owners, we are always working on new ways to convince people to become customers, client - Membrane Diffuser Solutions for Wastewater Treatment Systems
In the aeration basin of a typical wastewater treatment plant there are both organic and inorganic m - Another Year Hating Your Job or Loving Life?
Copyright © 2007 Mary Foley I've come to the conclusion that to be successful - really successf - Dyestuff Industry In India And China
World demand for dyes and organic pigments to touch $10.6 billion in 2008According to a study on dye - Cma-cgm Case : the Series of Lawsuits Continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England and the United States
Damietta company case : The series of lawsuits continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England a