There are many ways to add value in the workplace. The most basic is to show up and perform the job you were hired to do. Let's look at four ways to improve your value-add at work without spending a dime.
1. Start with Your Reputation
An old saying goes like this: "A good name is hard to regain once it is lost." The trick is never to lose your good name to start with. So what's your reputation saying about you?
Don't let your name be tarnished because you're late all the time. Learn how to manage your time more effectively. Sign up for a time management seminar like Franklin Covey. This type of seminar will teach you how to prioritize your activities to align with what's most important. That's a valuable skill you can use over and over again. The more you use this skill the better your reputation gets.
Do you do what you say? Are you in the habit of over promising and under delivering? Stop it your reputation is at stake! You have complete control over what you say. Start doing what you said you would. Else be selective with your words. Whatever you say people are expecting you will do it. If you don't plan to do something, don't say you will.
2. Be Willing to Learn
The most tedious jobs can be rewarding when learning opportunities are taken. When a new class or training is offered, sign up for it. Keeping your mind active by constantly learning new things makes you valuable.
Be willing to learn from others. No one person can know everything, even though some act like they do. We can all learn from each other. I am some what of an advanced Excel user. Yet, I still run into others who show me great keyboard short cuts!
Use what you know. Put into practice any skills you've been taught. For example, say you took an email etiquette class. Your employer will expect you to craft email messages using the tips you were taught.
Don't forget to share. If you come across a new short cut, or fancy way to format a presentation, share it with your co-workers. That way the whole team benefits from your experience. A word of caution: Don't act like you know it all. Instead offer gentle humble suggestions that are more readily received by others.
3. Know Your Company's Priorities
Take time to learn about the company you work for. Discover history behind it. What are they known for? Who are their customers? What products or services do they sell to meet the customer needs? What goals does your company have? Are they trying to increase market share? Are they trying to create new markets?
Understanding your company's priorities helps you map your job to the bigger picture. When you know how your part fits in the larger context it drives your motivation. Improving your internal motivation allows you to put up with lesser important burdens for the stake of the larger, more important goal. Having a hard time figuring out how your part fits? Ask your boss. Talk to others about their part. Maybe hearing how Jane Doe fits may help you envision your place.
4. Get Creative and Make Things Better
Just because you have a job with specific tasks that are not very efficient, it doesn't mean you should continue to do it that way. There may be a better way to organize the tasks. Try doing things differently. You may change a process for the better and save tons of time for you and your co-workers.
Look for problems. Listen for business needs. What is not getting done? Why? Ask why a few more times to get to the root cause. Figure out who's involved, ask questions. Then brainstorm ways to solve the problem. Two heads are better than one. If you have a room full of people, that's even better.
There's always something you can do to make the situation better. Asking questions may reveal information being requested is no longer needed. For example, I know someone who stopped sending a certain report to see if anyone would miss it. Guess what? No one missed the report and she stopped producing it. Other times there might be improvements for better systems or documentation. Still other times questioning might reveal the need to automate a manual process, which could save time and money. Which ever you choose, do something to make it better. What good is it to recognize a need and not do anything about?
Let's recap what we've discussed so far. Tip 1 was about focusing on your reputation. Take small steps to improve your reputation. Tip 2 talked about how your willingness to learn becomes a value to your company. Tip 3 discussed the importance of knowing your company's priorities so you can understand how your job fits with the bigger picture. Tip 4 was all about making things better. Solve problems. Improve your working conditions. All of these tips can help you increase your value-add at work.
Elizabeth Marks has 20 years business experience in sales, marketing, operations, Six Sigma project management, and business planning areas. She enjoys sharing her knowledge to benefit others' development and growth. For more business articles visit http://www.ThinkOnIt4Business.com - For devotions or bible studies visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.
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