MEMORABLE PRESENTERS REMEMBER to check out their presentation on the data show ahead of time at the venue to make sure the layout, colors and formats work. 

There is nothing worse than being introduced, starting your presentation and then finding it is not clear and legible to the audience.  If you can’t do it at the venue, then after preparing your material at least project it on to a wall at your office.

MEMORABALE PRESENTERS THEN ALSO REMEMBER

 Ask and ye shall receive!

There are very talented people in the workplace who always get recruited, get promotion offers, are wooed by recruiters, get picked for all of the sexy assignments, and never, ever even have to ask. 

They are constantly being offered opportunities because they are remarkable.  Their biggest challenge is sorting through all the offers, and being in such high demand.

I was never one of those people.

The reality is, very few people are.  They are the top 1 to 5% in any organization – the rest of us make up the other 95+%.

For the rest of us – here’s my advice: if you want it, chances are, you’re going to have to ask for it.

When I first started working, I had heard that if you work hard, do a good job, and have a good attitude, then good things will happen. 

I soon discovered that while those qualities were important, good things usually came to those who produced results, were visible in the organization, but who also asked.

Looking back over my own career, every significant milestone has been as a result of results, being visible and asking.

When I wrote my first business case it landed me my first promotion into a management services group.  Many events in my life of promoting ideas or recommendations and asking, have followed this path.

 Perhaps to you this Leading Ways is a statement of the obvious. 

However, I still run into people who are waiting for good things to happen to them, rather than recognizing that they and they alone are responsible for their career, and that you have to ask for what you want.

The idea of “asking” doesn’t just apply to job opportunities, promotions, and raises.

When was the last time you felt you should have been invited to an important meeting but weren’t?  Did you do anything about it?

The next time it happens, and you really think there’s a compelling reason for you to be there, then contact the meeting organizer and Ask.  You may find it was just an oversight.  Or, perhaps no one knew about your expertise, or the role you could play in the meeting.  

The worst case, is that you are told “No.”  But usually you will get a reason, and at least it will show you care about your job.

Asking for training is another good area in which to ask for what you want. 

Not only is a clear demonstration of your motivation, but it may spark in your manager  a conversation around a broader career plan.

There are lots of other examples in the workplace.  For example, are you tired of working with an old underpowered computer?  How about asking for a new one, and in doing so pointing out to your manager that it would enable you to be more effective.  The alternative?  Just suffer in silence, and tolerate the frustration.

When it comes to leadership, some leaders get more support, resources, and opportunities simply because they have the courage to ask.   And of course great leaders have tenacity as a trait.

In all probability you will have nothing to lose by asking for what you want.

It is a given that you work hard, produce results and have a good attitude.  So when you do ask for things you will not be seen as one of the organization’s “moaners, and groaners.”

Being a good employee earns you the right to ask away and increases your odds of getting a "yes".

Give it a try.  Start with something small.  Go on, just ask for it!

Have a great week,

Denis 

Looking for a speaker for your next business meeting? 

For a list of typical presentations go to www.leader-success.com

or contact denis.orme@yahoo.com