Developing & Branding Your Personal Competitive Advantage

Position Yourself for Success

At the end of each year is the time most people pick their head up and evaluate.  How is the health, family, career, finances and community doing?  Many people make the conscious choice to make some changes, improve, etc. 

Position yourself for promotions, better customers and pay raises in the upcoming year.  Here are a few ideas to stay on top of your career.

Follow and adjust an annual plan with dates.  Take time every day to see if you are on track. Program yourself to do this everyday…the repetition will get you where you want to be.

Set your personal benchmarks – goals.  Compare with the expectations your customers/boss/company have for you.  Be on the same page with documented rewards: “When I accomplish (A,B and C), I will realize (these additional responsibilities) for compensation that looks like (this)”.

• Make sure you have a clear job description
• Write down how you are going to improve the job description for your replacement.  What are you doing to challenge the role
• Update your resume every six months with accomplishments

Communicate reaching/beating your goals.  This is not a one discussion plea at your review or in December.  Many companies make the mistake of doing a formal review at the end of the year only.  Don’t let this happen to you or your team.  Set yourself up for success with knowledge – know how you stand and are perceived.  Realizing late in the game that you have a confused brand is scary.

What if you beat your goals and still don’t realize your pre-determined rewards?

Is management dragging it out, why?

Maybe it is a tough year and nobody is getting a raise.  Are there other environmental risks that you missed?

What have you learned in a scenario like this?

Be creative in a case like this: education reimbursement-more vacation-bonus program six months out…what are your options. 

If all is well, congratulations!  But don’t get sassy.  You must innovate, add skills, improve customer service and help those around you succeed.  This is required for an average rating.  What makes you unique?  What are you doing this year that is interesting?

This is a lot of work, to stay on top of your career and position yourself to be competitive in the future.  Don’t forget to balance – your family, health and personal finances as well as giving back.  Planning will help you reach your vision for all of the important aspects of your life. 

Seven great days make a great week – Four great weeks make a great month – twelve great months make a great year!