HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF INDISPENSABLE IN ANY ECONOMY

We are in a competitive market. It always has been. It becomes profoundly so in tough economic times. With layoffs in vogue, it is wise to consider your role in the company, the importance it has to the company’s ability to be profitable, and the likelihood of being retained when your company determines who they must keep, and who will go. The real indispensable people are those who consistently deliver win/win solutions for their customers and profits for their businesses. So how do we make ourselves indispensable?

First of all, it would make sense to be the one making the decision about who stays and who goes wouldn’t it? Rarely does the person responsible for that decision choose to part with themselves. Naturally we all answer to someone, whether boss, customer or shareholder, and must perform to be rewarded and retained. Positioning oneself where your personal contribution to the company’s financial health is overwhelming is essential to indispensability.

The definition of indispensable is “not to be dispensed with; essential, necessary”. Just as there are foods indispensable to good nutrition; funds essential to completing a project; necessary tools and materials; there are people that a company cannot do without. This implies that they are counted and relied upon. Relied on for what? Results that produce profits.

The Pareto principle applies here. Known as the 80/20 rule, in this instance, we find that 80% of the work is actually done by 20% of the people—often closer to 10%. Now, all of the people are “busy” and working on the duties and responsibilities assigned to them, but in terms of the results that truly matter for the company, a minority of employees in the firm will create those results which produce profits through their own accomplishment. We want to make sure we are in this minority.

To do so, it is important to have a relationship in place with your boss where you know what she expects of you and what you are doing to meet these expectations; making sure you are meeting with your boss frequently enough to insure neither of you have surprises down the line. The importance of this cannot be overlooked; you initiate.

It is also important to be able to outline your accomplishments, to know what you have done that impacts profits in a measurable and positive way. It’s an interesting thing, after seeing many thousands of resumes, that most staff level people, up to the lower side of mid-management have resumes that focus on their duties. While people from the higher side of mid-management up to executive level have resumes that focus almost exclusively on accomplishments. Adding value in specific measurable accomplishments and being able to communicate these effectively, will do more to make you indispensable than simply getting done the list of duties you have been asked to do.

By the way, it is your responsibility to make yourself indispensable. This cannot be done by others. Indispensable people will always spend their time working from cause where those “struggling” spend their life in effect. True indispensability transcends employment with one company. You should position yourself within your industry as a “go to” specialist, with earned credibility and respect. You make yourself known through your accomplishments. You get yourself involved.

Finally, an attitude of continuous personal and professional development is vital to becoming indispensable. Those who do the most at work are often those who are doing the most away from work to improve their performance at work. Top Producers in business and any endeavor are constantly working to improve their knowledge and skills and thus their performance.

So how do I make myself indispensable in this market?

Position yourself where your personal contribution to the company’s financial health is overwhelming.
Communicate with your boss; outline your objectives clearly.
Know what it is that you do that produces profits and then produce.
Be able to outline and communicate your accomplishments.
Take personal responsibility for your career success—cause vs. effect.
Attitude of a lifelong learner—commitment to continuous personal and professional development.

“Keep interested in your own career, however humble, for it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.” --Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

Steve Francisco is a senior consultant with Marshall Career Service, joining our company in 1990. Steve is consistently one of the top producers in our profession; specializing in operations management positions for our client companies. Steve would welcome the opportunity to assist you in your career.


Steve Francisco, CPC can be reached at:
Marshall Career Service, Inc.
6500 West Freeway, Suite 200
Fort Worth, TX 76116
(817) 737-2645
sfrancisco@marshallcareerservice.com


http://www.hireopportunities.com/ is a career resource written by Rick Marshall, president of Marshall Career Service, Inc. located in Fort Worth, Texas. Marshall and his staff are recognized as one of the leaders in the placement and recruiting profession specializing in career opportunities located in the North Texas area. Client companies and qualified candidates working with Marshall Career Service enjoy a true level of personal service not found in today’s resume driven times. To learn more about our areas of expertise please follow this link to our website. http://www.marshallcareerservice.com/