When you watch Olympic athletes, it’s amazing how often tenths or even hundredths of a second make the difference between winning gold, silver, or bronze. After years and years of training, the final result comes down to extra effort expertly applied at exactly the right moment.
The same principle applies in business. Those that succeed know not only how to prepare to perform, but also how to deliver a little something special. That’s how they separate themselves from the pack. The “something special” isn’t necessarily a dramatic action. Often, little professional consistencies make the difference. Try these, and discover the long term benefit to your reputation and career:
· Be on time – for work, meetings, everything – even if the office culture is tolerant of those who are late.
· Dress just a little more professionally than the average person at your career level.
· Prepare diligently for meetings you attend, and always contribute something. Offer ideas, raise issues, ask good questions for clarification.
· Ask your boss how you can help them be more successful. You will most likely not be successful if your boss is always in the weeds.
· Come to work every day as fresh and ready to rumble as possible. Those around you can tell who is engaged and who is only going through the motions.
· Whenever you deliver a formal document for review by anyone else, be sure it is impeccable. It must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. The formatting of the document should be immaculate.
· Always, always, always be thoughtful and professional in regard to what you send via email.
· Understand the big picture and how what you do contributes to corporate strategies.
· Stay completely beyond reproach in your use of company resources.
· Show your appreciation for anything your boss or your company does for you.
· Make an effort to continue to grow and learn, even if you have to do it on your own time, with your money.
Extra effort is always recognized as a little something special. Be special and be successful.
14 March 2010
A Little Something Special
When you watch Olympic athletes, it’s amazing how often tenths or even hundredths of a second make the difference between winning gold, silver, or bronze. After years and years of training, the final result comes down to extra effort expertly applied at exactly the right moment.
The same principle applies in business. Those that succeed know not only how to prepare to perform, but also how to deliver a little something special. That’s how they separate themselves from the pack. The “something special” isn’t necessarily a dramatic action. Often, little professional consistencies make the difference. Try these, and discover the long term benefit to your reputation and career:
· Be on time – for work, meetings, everything – even if the office culture is tolerant of those who are late.
· Dress just a little more professionally than the average person at your career level.
· Prepare diligently for meetings you attend, and always contribute something. Offer ideas, raise issues, ask good questions for clarification.
· Ask your boss how you can help them be more successful. You will most likely not be successful if your boss is always in the weeds.
· Come to work every day as fresh and ready to rumble as possible. Those around you can tell who is engaged and who is only going through the motions.
· Whenever you deliver a formal document for review by anyone else, be sure it is impeccable. It must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. The formatting of the document should be immaculate.
· Always, always, always be thoughtful and professional in regard to what you send via email.
· Understand the big picture and how what you do contributes to corporate strategies.
· Stay completely beyond reproach in your use of company resources.
· Show your appreciation for anything your boss or your company does for you.
· Make an effort to continue to grow and learn, even if you have to do it on your own time, with your money.
Extra effort is always recognized as a little something special. Be special and be successful.
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