Director of her own public relations agency, Dani Lombard reveals how to get ahead at work.
Communicate clearly
Chasing that next promotion? Be sure youโre dotting your iโs and crossing your tโs โ literally. Start paying more attention to the way you communicate through the written word and avoid silly grammatical mistakes and punctuation errors. Nothing can damage your reputation more than sloppy communication and your boss, clients and colleagues could view this as a reflection of your overall standards.
Influence the influencers
The best publicity you can generate comes via word of mouth, and thereโs nothing better than your boss hearing about what an awesome job youโre doing from someone else. And, while your boss might be the decision maker, think about who influences them. Donโt get stuck trying to impress just one individual who holds the key to your next promotion. Also, take time to go that extra mile and add value wherever you can for those around you.
Manage your reputation
There are no secrets on social media, and one compromising photo or cheeky comment could be enough to unravel all your hard work in the office. While your social media accounts might feel like your โprivateโ life, donโt take any chances. Right or wrong, itโs not uncommon for employers to look up potential candidates on social media to find out more about them. If your work day and weekend personaโs are polar opposites, that next big perk could go to someone with a squeakier image.
Crisis management
We all make mistakes. If youโve made one at work, how you deal with it will say a lot about your character. Put your hand up, take ownership and suggest a plan to rectify it. Act quickly and decisively to minimise damage. Youโll earn a lot more respect than trying to cover it up, make excuses or point fingers.
Raise your profile
It can be easy to get lost in the crowd especially in larger organisations. Make yourself memorable and youโre more likely to be top of mind when itโs time to select the team to go on the big annual conference. Contribute an article to an industry publication, website or blog that is widely read at work. With your companyโs permission, you can even ensure your byline includes your place of work, raising your companyโs profile and earning you some serious brownie points.