Too many folks come out of the academic environment where there “work” is constantly graded and corrected. Their teachers are the “safety net.” But now that you have landed that job, you have to make a conscious effort to operate without constant hand-holding. Here are some questions you should be asking to become indispensable in your job:

1.Why am I doing this? Understand the reasons behind every aspect of your job. Don’t just do it because that’s what you have to do to get paid. When you truly get why your job is essential to the customer experience and why that experience results in all the money that the company makes (including your compensation), you will have the clarity of purpose necessary to become dependable. If you don’t understand this critical relationship ask questions until you do.

2. What am I doing? Don’t just look at the cookie cutter aspects of your job. Understand the big picture including the timing restraints, the scope of the responsibility, and the routines you must adhere to in order to keep things from getting by you. If you do it once and it requires constant updating, don’t let your boss have to constantly remind you to update it on a regular basis. You’re boss wants to know that you understand the total responsibility and own it.

3. Is my work correct? When your boss has to check your work all the time, they can get the idea that you can’t be depended upon. Read your own work before you send it in. Look for errors and omissions. We know it’s difficult and no one is perfect. We have found tons of mistakes in our own work when we read it over a few times. Did you cover all the bases? Is it thorough? Did you read the entire request? Are you proud of your work?

4. What needs to be done on a regular basis? Are there items that need to be updated routinely? When you first find out about them, make a checklist right then. Maybe you need a calendar reminder. Some items may need updating as they come in rather than on a calendar basis. If your boss has to remind you of an overlooked part of your job, start a checklist right then. By developing the discipline to know what these items are and recognize them as part of your job, you will become more indispensable to your company.

5. Can you improve the process? Once you understand the job and have been doing it for a while, you will be more likely to see short cuts and other efficiencies that make the job easier and more reliable. The next time you want to blame somebody else for a screw up, ask yourself what you can do in your own backyard to make the situation least likely to reoccur. Suggest and offer new written procedures, checklists and sign-off sheets. Your boss and the whole company will appreciate it.

Most bosses don’t have the time to micromanage you. They want to depend on your work to be thorough and correct. They want to rely on you to take ownership of your job and be responsible for dependable, quality performance. Once that happens, you are more likely to gain responsibility, promotion, security and raises.

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Advance in Your Job by Checking Your Own Work appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.

These are common, time-tested courtesies that are unfortunately not so common anymore.

Although not taught in business school, they can positively affect how others relate to you.

Showing consideration for others with whom you have frequent interaction reminds them that you appreciate their help and understand their concerns.

Here are some tips to help you make a positive impression and be more effective:

1. Keep them advised of your progress. Whether you do what they asked or not, tell them your status on a timely basis. Don’t make them have to come back and ask you where you are on a request. One or two days is too long. If they have to call you to ask, it’s stressful for them from two standpoints: first, they feel like they are nagging you, and second, they are a little perturbed they had to call you at all.

2. Thank them for the information. When someone takes the time to explain things to you in terms you can understand, don’t just say, “got it.” That gives them the impression that you think you are entitled to the lesson. This is especially true when the education they give you is not required. If you say, “Thank you for explaining that, it really helped me,” they will want to give you more attention in the future.

3. Speak up when you don’t get it. It’s OK if you don’t understand what is communicated to you. It’s not OK to pretend you got it when you still haven’t a clue. Later, when they depend on you to have understood certain principles, and you can’t perform, they will start to wonder. Challenge others to explain it again, and in different ways until you can say it back to them in your own words. They will be so happy you finally understood it, they will see it as their own personal achievement. People want to be successful at teaching, so let them know when they have succeeded – and when they haven’t.

4. Call back when you say you will. Often you will get calls that you just can’t deal with at the time. You might say “I’ll call you right back.” But you either have no intention of doing so or you just honestly forget. Write it down, preferably on your calendar. Don’t let them have to call you back. Calling back when you say you will shows the other party respect. They now respect you even more because they know you are busy but are still making time for them.

5. Send a short note. That’s right, a hand-written note. A post card is a lasting way to say thanks publically. Many in the recipient’s office will see the card. By taking the time to send a colorful post card, you communicate with them off line, off phone, off meeting and off lunch. The post card may stay out for weeks, especially if its eye catching. It will give them something to thank you for, and says you appreciate them personally.

There are many more courtesies we could mention, but these are a good start. Think about the other person and their feelings. Let her know she’s appreciated and you won’t leave her hanging. Reduce her anxiety by sending a subtle message that compels her to say, “I really like working with that guy!”

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Business Manners that Pay appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.