Think Like An
SPECIAL
SPECIAL FEAFEATURE
Grow your career by growing your company Owner
By Jeffr e y Scott Pass this on to all employees: It is not enough in this economy
to wait for the boss to tell you what to do. If you want to grow your career, you have to think and act like an owner or CEO.Ask yourself,"What would an entrepreneur do to help our company grow?" Here are some answers.
1. Bring in prospects The success of your company depends on its ability to attract
new clients; but this is not just the role of marketing. Everyone in the company is in sales. How can you help the company gain new clients? I find that the best way is to give a talk in front of potential clients, on a topic about which you are an expert.For me it might mean giving a talk on leadership or time management to contractors.For you it might mean giving a talk at a local arboretum or trade association. Selling can also mean passing your business card to people you meet on the street or at the deli, for example.Whomever you meet, collect and pass along the good contacts you make to your sales team. Help the company grow, and you will too.
2. Find efficiencies For every dollar a company saves, it is 8 to 20 times more
valuable to the company than making a dollar in new sales.Why is this? Because that dollar saved goes right to the bottom line.
20 Arbor Age / April 2012
It is pure profit. In my experience, efficiencies can be found in the following areas: • Warranty, • Material wastage, • Call-backs from a client, • Go-backs due to incomplete work, • Unproductive time, • Unbillable time, • Downtime due to equipment failure, • Inaccurate or incomplete paperwork. Put on your thinking cap, and find ways to help. If you are not
sure where to start, ask your boss where he or she is trying to improve efficiencies. The fact that you care will be appreciated. Increasing job efficiency can start with taking an extra walk around before you leave a client's property.You can't go wrong by raising your head, opening your eyes, and taking a bigger look at what is going on around you.
3. Bring a "yes" attitude to work You can single-handedly lift the attitude of your crew, and
even your department, by having a consistent, outwardly positive attitude.The attitude of few influences the attitude of many. Be optimistic no matter the challenge, even when others seem
negative. Lift other people's outlook by keeping yours high. This includes saying "yes" when a peer or supervisor asks you for help.
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