The Top 10 Top 10 Ways to Get A Raise at Work (version 2)

Originally Submitted on 11/21/96.

In the greater scheme of things, when you add more value to a company, you will earn more money. Doing a good job is no longer enough. Adding values the key. However, so is developing relationships with others in the company who can authorize such a raise or promotion. The following Top 10List addresses both of these techniques to getting a raise and getting ahead.

1. Work out a Bonus Arrangement.

The truth is that some companies have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit of employees and may work out a "deal" with you to take on additional accountabilities or if you offer to accomplish a huge result. The time to negotiate this is BEFORE you do it. Create it like a game, not as a potential ultimatum, however. Make it win-win and be sensitive to your firm's culture.

2. Become Indispensable.

Develop a Critical Skill/function that only you know/have. Business is business and the more necessary you are to the day-to-day operations or to profitability, the more leverage you have. Often, these Critical Skills may be skills that you take for granted. Caution: Don't get boxed in by developing a lower-end Critical Skill like being the only one who understands the payroll taxes. Better to be the one, for example, who creates reports that REALLY inform management of the numbers in a way they can read, understand, get and appreciate them.

3. Manage Up.

One's supervisor or boss really DOES want help in doing their job smarter and easier and often it's YOU who can see how to do this. Don't assume that your boss can see everything in this area -- they are probably so pressed time- and space-wise that they would welcome your input on becoming more effective, at least in how they manage you. Phrasing this input carefully, obviously, and with great respect.

4. Be mentored from several layers up.

Don't assume that because you do such a great job that anyone several layers up even knows your name. It's probable that your boss is getting much of the credit due you, anyway. One of the best ways to get a raise,promotion or to get ahead is to find a way to meet, get to know and ultimately be mentored by a senior individual at the firm. Don't be bashful -- remember, THIS person will look better to their boss (perhaps the CEO) every time they "discover and groom" talent from the ranks. If you're a great employee with special skills or leadership abilities, you're doing THIS higher-up individual a FAVOR by getting to know them. Don't feign humility.

5. Command respect/be respected.

Get to know your values, extend your boundaries, honor your standards and become someone whom others come to respect and DO things for. You don't need to develop a razor-sharp edge, but being tenacious and committed to reaching results is key to getting a raise, given not that many employee scan cut through the red tape or personalities in a company to be consistently productive and effective. Master this skill (hiring a coach to help you can help) and you WILL get ahead. Being unstoppable without leading a wake of dead bodies IS possible and makes you more valuable tote company.

6. Always deliver, and ahead of schedule.

Each day, you are developing your reputation -- good or bad. And the folks empowered to give you a raise and promote you have proven that THEY can deliver, regardless of the circumstances, unforeseen problems, company culture, technical problems and limited resources. Think of this as a boot camp where you get to prove how resourceful, self-generative and able you're to ALWAYS deliver, and ahead of schedule. Few people do this and when you do it, you'll get noticed. Excuses, even legitimate ones, reduce your perceived value to the company.

7. Increase the company's current revenue streams and/or profitability.

If you see or can create a way to increase your company's revenue or profitability, you'll likely get a raise. Increasingly, companies are open to suggestions/input from their employees. Trends, requests from customers, ideas, wasted expenses/inefficiencies and other thoughts will start coming to you if you just start noticing and listening more to what's wanted and needed. Just be respectful when sharing these ideas and be patient enough to let the decision makers understand.

8. Help to create a new revenue source for the company.

Often, company management looks to only increase the revenue streams they currently have, or they limit their thinking to the type of business they see themselves in. But in today's rapidly synthesizing business environment, the "new" revenue stream of today may result in being the primary source of revenue or profit 5 years from now. So, keep an eye out for a service or product that your company can experiment with and deliver.And, don't be afraid to help your company expand its mission. For example,Avon has recently expanded its vision to "Empowering women worldwide." Towit, they have initiated a Life design seminar for the public, which is anew source of revenue for Avon and expands their current base of customers at the same time.

9. Help to substantially improve the company's reputation.

As the value of market control and hype is being replaced by truth,high-added-value and actual reputation, companies are wise to strengthen their real reputation, not just toss more money at the public relations machine. The consumer is smarter today and, with the Internet, word REALLY gets around about who's offering what and who's the best.

10. Solve a big (real or potential) problem that the company has.

It's normal that management is focused on reaching current goals and problems, so much so that they may be blind to an emerging problem or even a prevailing one. (Think ValuJet.) My experience of flying them was a bad one -- no attention to detail, poor communication/relating skills by the gate employees, dirty planes, lacking on-time standards, general lack of caring. And that was just to the passengers! After flying them once, I realized that my life and wellness was more important than saving $400.Yet, the CEO of ValuJet was probably blind to the facts of how poor their company came across and served its customers. Perhaps he knew, but he put growth ahead of high standards. As a valued employee in your company, YOU might step up to the plate and take on a "raise our standards" campaign,with approval from the top.

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