The questions I am asked the most often: How can I get promoted quickly at work? How can I get noticed in my profession? How can I position my company for success?
In reality, they are all the same question: “How can I get ahead?” or “How can I gain a competitive advantage?”
No matter what the audience, my advice is always the same: Read. Learn. Think. Apply.
To be viewed as being at the top of your game, one of the habits you must adopt is to learn something about what is going on in the world around you each and every day. If you spend 40 – 50 minutes a day reading (less time than most people spend in front of the TV, checking out Facebook or net surfing), you will soon be more knowledgeable than most of your peers. And more valuable to your company or a prospective employer, no matter what your position.
The three things you need to read:
1) Read your local business press to keep abreast of what is going on in the business community at large – you never know when breaking news in one industry will impact yours, or will fuel ideas applicable to your own. Depending on where you live, suggestions include: The Globe & Mail’s ROB, The National Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, etc. Online news services are also valuable tools.
2) To gain insight on the macro business environment, read The Economist, Time Magazine, Inc Magazine, Profit, Forbes, Fortune, Working Knowledge (Harvard Business) etc. Remember though, much of this content is editorial; add your own perspective to the mix, too.
3) Subscribe to trade publications and journals in your own industry/ vertical as well as those industries which impact yours. Even 15 minutes a day learning about developments in your own industry will help make you an authority in your field within 18 months.
Information has always been king, but today, with it so easy to look up needed data, you need to take it one step further.
Keep a journal highlighting your key findings and your thoughts about how or why that info might be useful. Download the file to your mobile device so you always have it with you. That way you can update your notes with info you acquire while out and about... and you never know when a quick peek will make you look like a hero in a meeting!
From time to time, spend 5 – 10 minutes and review what you’ve noted and reflect on how you might apply the knowledge in your own company. Can you offer a suggestion to help with business development, to improve something where you work, etc. If you come up with a great idea, having the info and memo-worthy notes and thoughts at your fingertips will make it easier for you to put your ideas in writing.
For more tips to help you get into the top ten percent, read “Standing out in the Crowd…by getting lady luck on your side” at http://www.theqgroup.com/articles-b.php?ArtID=6.
Until the next time, have fun and remember: “You must be prepared to go out on a limb because that is where the fruit is!” Jane-Michèle
No comments:
Post a Comment