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Quote of the month: "A will finds the way" Orison Swett Marden
Sell the Boss Your Idea
Source: Communication
Briefings ideas that work
Here’s some advice on making the right moves at the right time to get
the boss to champion your ideas:
- Don’t waste the boss’s time with every idea you have. Wait
until you have something for which a compelling need exists. And be
ready to list negatives as well as positives.
- Create a trail of memos or letters about your idea. Reason:
They give you a chance to be persistent by ending each one with something
such as, "I’ll check with you on this tomorrow."
- Put the benefits up front in any proposals you write. Use numbers
if possible and be specific. Example: Don’t say" We can realize
some potential savings in production costs over the next year if..."
Instead, say "Here’s how we can cut production costs by 20% over the
next year."
- Invite the boss to contribute. If the boss says "It’s a good
idea. I’ll pass it along," suggest that he or she add some suggestions.
- Check the progress of your idea. Don’t push, but do do it regularly.
Always tell those you contact when you’ll check again.
- Shepherd your idea by writing a memo with your suggestions
on how to proceed each time your idea moves ahead. Ask for a part in
implementing it, and make sure your performance gets noticed.
Source: Joseph Dobrian writing in The Take-Charge Assistant,
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
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