kateWe’ve all been there – situations in which we wish we could tell our managers, bosses, administrators something we’ve been thinking, wanting, needing. Maybe there’s a new program you want to implement. Or you feel your department needs a larger budget. You want to expand your scope of service – the possibilities are endless. But you just don’t know HOW to bring it up. Before bringing up a major inquiry or project to your boss make sure you have set yourself up for success. Set up a meeting, with a blocked out time scheduled JUST for you & follow these five key points to successfully present your wants and workplace ideas.
KNOW WHAT YOU’RE ASKING FOR
Before setting up your meeting, you need to know EXACTLY what you are asking for. I have been on both ends of the asking and the one being asked. Knowing what you need and the reason you need it is crucial to your point and the success of your presentation. If you’re asking for a budget increase – how much do you need? If you’re asking to change the times of your programming – what times aren’t working and want times will work better? A huge downfall when employees’ present needs are that many only address the PROBLEM. But what is needed from the employer is the understanding that you are actively thinking of SOLUTIONS – not just for them to fix something you think is broken or not working. Overall, being able to address your needs with as much detail and precision as possible is the first step to success.
MAKE SURE IT IS RELEVANT
Always make sure what you are asking for is relevant to the organization, your department, etc. and not completely out of left field. You want your ideas to be taken seriously and have ample time to be planned out. Don’t come to your boss with a big idea that needs to be addressed within the next couple of days (or even weeks) for it to be effective.
HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT/IMPACT THE ORGANIZATION & CONSUMERS
Have statistics, numbers, and figures – whatever you need to showcase the benefits your idea will have on your organization and the consumers. (And if your organization is a for-profit company – how will it MAKE your org money?) Will this new idea bring in more members, increase participation attendance, or create more community awareness? That’s great! But make sure you know by how MUCH and WHEN! If you’re asking for $5000 increase your programming budget – what are the positive impacts it will have on your organizations and the consumers you serve.
(Example: By increasing our fiscal recreation programming budget by $5000, this will give our department enough funds to create a sensory room for our memory care unit. Our memory care patients have increased by 20% over the past year and being able to showcase a new state of the art sensory room during tours is projected to aid in increasing that number to 25% in the 20-21 fiscal year) This shows your IDEA – and how it will BENEFIT your facility AND the consumers.
BE SURE TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS & AlTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Make sure you are including alternative options and be welcoming of recommendations. If you don’t get your “Plan A” idea – what alternatives can you live with? What might be an option that could potentially work best for you AND your employer? And ALWAYS be sure to take your employers’ recommendations into consideration. This is a key way to not get a hard ‘No’. Be firm on your core idea, but flexible on HOW to make it come to fruition, and what parts can be bent a little to create the bigger picture.
DON’T BE INTIMIDATED!
Lastly, always know that if you don’t ask you won’t ever know. And, your administrators and managers are there to help you succeed, grow and provide programming you are proud of, your clients enjoy and essentially keep people coming back! Being able to explain and express your ideas is something every employee should feel comfortable doing!
Have you ever presented an idea to a higher-up at work? Let’s hear your stories and insight! Be sure to leave a comment.
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