They Don't Teach Corporate in College (22 page)

Have any new goals emerged?

Are my priorities still in order?

Have new priorities changed the emphasis of my efforts?

Do my planning and daily activities support my goals?

Am I on the right track to get where I want to go?

Finally, be positive. Focus on how far you've come instead of how far you have to go. Take time out to pat yourself on the back. Eat your favorite dessert, buy the better seats at a baseball game—whatever, as long as it's a real treat. By acknowledging your progress toward reaching your goals and concentrating on how close you are to achieving them, you'll be more likely to go the distance.

When I was an account coordinator at a financial consulting company, there wasn't much I could do to help the senior members of my team close new business. But then, one night, I went to a dinner party that my mother was throwing for some of her friends. One of the guests had just gotten divorced and was looking to overhaul her portfolio. When she mentioned this, I saw an opportunity and recommended my firm. Back at the office, I made sure one of our
senior reps followed up, and this woman was so impressed with our response and ideas that she hired us to do all of her financial planning. It turns out this woman was quite well off, so a little effort on my part turned into a lucrative piece of business for my firm.

Melanie, 25, Arizona

Because you're reading this chapter, chances are you're blazing a trail of ambitious fire. You probably can't wait to make your mark on the company and prove to everyone you're worth 10 times what they're paying you. Well, hold on there, partner. Taking initiative in order to add value is an excellent idea, but there are a few things you'll want to consider first.

At a new job, size up the turkey before you carve yourself a piece. Realize that no one is expecting you to make a sizable impact within a month of your start date. Actually, going out of your way to make a big splash could be perceived as presumptuous and might incite jealousy among your new colleagues. You should also assess your boss's personality before you jump right in on projects. Although most managers appreciate independence, some like to maintain tighter control over the group's work and will be insulted and/or threatened if they feel you're taking too much initiative. Bottom line: in the beginning, when looking for ways to prove your worth, you'll be safest if you start small.

Ask yourself what your company or department needs, and think about how you can use your unique set of skills and talents to provide it. So what if you're hardly a Renaissance man or woman? You're still new blood. Can you offer a fresh perspective on a vexing problem that has been plaguing your managers for months? Can you find a way to do something faster and more efficiently?

When I started a job in corporate communications, I discovered that my company lacked templates for certain documents, such as launch plans and activity reports. My colleagues weren't against the idea of creating templates; they'd just never thought of it. They created every new document from scratch because that was the way they'd always done it. I recognized that I could make a contribution by introducing the templates I used at my last job. However, I didn't want to appear as though I was forcing my methods upon my new company, so I started by casually incorporating the templates into my individual projects. Eventually, my teammates figured out on their own that the templates were huge productivity-savers. Instead of feeling offended or threatened, my colleagues and manager began to see me as an asset.

Remember that you have to give your company more than you take out in salary and benefits to be considered a worthwhile investment. In the financially driven business world, it's not about effort, it's about results, so you're better off concentrating on areas that directly impact your company's bottom line. Bruce Tulgan, founder of Rainmaker Thinking, Inc., recommends focusing on opportunities that present themselves, even if they're outside your official job description. For example, you might not be in sales, but you can help your company generate new business just by talking to people about what you do. You networked your way into the job, now go out and do it on behalf of your company!

Many twenty-somethings are entrepreneurs at heart and believe they have to stop working for an established company in order to fulfill their dreams. This is not necessarily so. If you're lucky, your organization is one that supports
intra
preneurship—the practice of entrepreneurial skills and approaches by or within an established organization. Employees, perhaps engaged in a special project within a larger firm, are encouraged to behave as entrepreneurs even though they have the resources and capabilities of the larger firm to draw upon. Intrapreneurs focus on innovation and creativity and transform good ideas into profitable ventures. In her article for the UK's
Times Online
, Clare Dight offers these suggestions for budding intrapreneurs:

Once you've identified a good idea for a new or improved process or product, seek a network of peers and sponsors to help you evaluate it and get it off the ground. It might be a more senior manager who can open doors or someone with technical expertise who has know-how and credibility.

Do your homework and prepare a business plan. When pitching your idea, address your audience and speak in terms they understand.

Don't try to do it alone. Teamwork and team capabilities are an essential part of corporate entrepreneurship.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and be comfortable with yourself and your abilities.