Want Job Security? Become a Utility Player Pt. 3

In the first two segments of this series, I focused on why being a utility player can certainly increase one's chances of keeping their job if, and more likely when, their company is faced with tough economic conditions. Companies need and want people on board who will show a willingness to learn and do more and not simply retreat to the comfortable excuse of 'it's not my job." It's the utility player that stands out, demonstrates value and avoids the horror of being expendable when the corporate ax starts looking for dead wood.

So we get why being a utility player is important to the company, but what does it mean to the company's customers? Well that's when a utility player really shines! You see nothing in business happens without a customer. Customers need products. Customers need services. Customers have questions. Customers have concerns. Customers have needs that they don't even know they have yet. No matter what the case, utility players understand and appreciate the fact that the customer will always need something and they are willing to step up to the plate and help no matter when and where they are called to do so.

What if you were to approach your job and your customers with this simple phrase: "Whatever you need, feel free to call me and I will do everything I can do to help." Would you be viewed differently? Would your customers think positively or negatively about you? Even if you don't have the necessary skills, access, information or whatever it is that they need, you have something....a willingness to help. People remember that. People value that. People love and respect that.

So you say, "Steve you silly boy, I don't work with customers. I am held deep within the bowels of my corporate structure and never see the client. How can I possibly step up and be a utility player for those customers I never touch?"

To which my response is....nothing happens in a vacuum. We all work with customers. The only difference between you who may be locked deep inside the walls of your corporate fortress and me, the one who deals with the public virtually every day is not so different. We both serve the customer. The only difference is you serve your internal customer (co-workers, boss, managers, suppliers, vendors, etc.) and I server the external customer (those people who write us checks for the products and services we sell).

Being the go to person for either the internal or external customer is a powerful position. Utility players like you and me want to step up and play those positions if and when we are called upon to do so and sometimes....even when we aren't called to do so. Remember, utility players see a need, a gap or a something that just needs to happen and they don't wait for direction...they simply step up and take action. It's through these kinds of actions that both our customers and corporations begin to realize and appreciate the value having someone like us around.

As we draw this series to a conclusion I have a challenge for you. Ask yourself what it is that you could be learning, doing or attempting right now to add value and worth to your contribution to your organization right now? The answers are there if you Grasshopper are willing to hop a little further down the path to seek them out.

The challenge isn't really the question but the answer. And ultimately are you really willing to step up to the plate and be the utility player your management team, corporate ownership and ultimately your customers need you to be?

The answer can only be yours to give.

Ripple On!!!


P.S. If you liked this series and would be interested in learning more about becoming a utility player for your company or perhaps you lead a team and need some inspiration along this line for your team, we should talk. I have both personal coaching programs and corporate day trainings that I give in this area. Feel free to email me at steve@ripplecentral.com

Want Job Security? Become a Utility Player Pt. 2

On Monday's post I discussed how utility players have a better shot at keeping their jobs during trying economic times because the companies they work for can typically count on them more. They demonstrate more versatility, more willingness to learn and of course show their value through action by just plain doing more than the "average" employee. It is through their actions and their measurable willingness to take on more that makes it easy for management to know who to keep and who to let go when times are tough.

So how do you become a utility player?

Great question! In fact the first step to becoming a utility player for your company is by asking questions just like that and many more like:

How do I do more? How can I learn more? How can I develop the skill that this department or that department needs? Who do I need to shoulder up with to learn more? Who is willing to take the time to teach me? Who is struggling and needs help? What needs to be done that no one else wants to do? What gaps does my company have that I can fill? What skills do I possess that no one has yet seen? What would the boss like to see? What does the boss need? What does my team lack? Where are we dropping the ball as an organization? Where else can my skills and experience be used? Where is the mop?

The list of questions are actually endless. No matter what questions you may need to be asking, it's the answers to them that will give you the first clue as to how to identify and become one of your company's utility players. Think about it, who on your team right now steps up to ask these questions? I suspect few if any do....am I right?

The quickest way to get yourself noticed and appreciated by the higher ups is to start asking these questions and many more like them. Listen to what answers are given and then volunteer to step up and take a spot at helping in the areas that need help. Sure, sure, I can hear many of the naysayers now saying, "I already have too much on my plate. I could not possibly take on more. They don't pay me enough to do more." Blah, blah, blah.

I read somewhere recently that the average American worker only works an average of 5.5 hours per day (can't put my finger on the article at present but will update in the future if I can locate it again). The rest of the time is squirreled away playing on the Internet, text messaging, taking personal phone calls and a myriad or other non-work related activities. Is it any wonder why the excuses pile up? More work means less play and that makes Jack and Jane dull boys and girls.

No. It just means Jack and Jane are the easy first targets when it comes time to start slashing the red ink.

The choice is yours of course but I am here to tell you that demonstrating a willingness to learn and take on more will be one of the best ways to get yourself recognized, noticed and valued by the boss or business owner. Heck just asking some of the questions I have outlined above will set you so far ahead of the rest of the sheep that good things are bound to come from just asking.

Try it. What do you have to lose? The utility player isn't playing for the glory, they are just filling a role that needs to be filled. At minimum you pick up some more work experience that you might not otherwise have gotten and of course define yourself in the hearts and minds of those who matter as a "go to" guy or gal. Seems like a fairly even trade especially when it comes time to see who needs to stay and who needs to go. I myself would rather be the utility player that is uncuttable - what about you?

In my next post we will discuss how being a good utility player can help you Ripple your way to better, stronger relationships with your prospects and clients.

Ripple On!!!

Want Job Security? Become a Utility Player

The most valuable asset to a company is an employee with a willingness to learn. Why? Because people who demonstrate a willingness to learn, to try anything new, are quite simply more involved and engaged and often more committed to the company. These people often demonstrate the ability and versatility to take on new tasks, challenges and entirely new responsibilities and become people that the company depends on in times of need or forced change. I call these employees your utility players.

Much like in sports where a player is not only good in one position but is good in many positions, utility players have their place in the workplace as well. Utility players often play pivotal roles during trying economic times with their willingness to take on more responsibilities outside their job requirements. They step up to the plate to do the heavy lifting when most others retreat into the "it's not my job" hole of mediocrity.

If you look closely, I am sure you would find many faceless and nameless people who helped many of today's major corporations breakout from obscurity and become something in the marketplace. The thing is most utility players simply do the job that they see needs to be done, not simply the one before them. They aren't in it for the glory and fame and often are the least outwardly recognizable. But these little bright stars in the vast blackness of most corporate entities are almost always the most assured to be safe when corporate layoffs take place. Let's face facts, if you're the executive having to decide who to cut during a layoff do you want to cut the man or woman that just does their job (as outlined in the job description) or do you want someone who demonstrates their willingness to do more, take on more and perhaps get their hands a little dirty along the way?

The answer is obvious.

We will tackle how you become a utility player for both your company and your clients in an upcoming BLOG post. For today, I just wanted to get you thinking about how versatile you really are in your present job and just how close or far you may be from becoming one of your company's most treasured and valued utility players.

Ripple On!!!

The People Whisperer?

Yesterday I had a delightful conversation with a business colleague of mine that claims they have yet another nickname for me amongst the business community here in Austin: The People Whisperer. I was at first perplexed by the comment, naturally defaulting to the images of the crazy Dog Whisperer guy on Animal Planet and worrying the unsolicited title was not meant in a nice way. Sensing my uneasiness with my newly appointed title my colleague quickly pointed out that the comment was meant as a very big compliment.

It seems that despite my public confession of being quite shy and introverted that several people simply don't believe it to be so. He told me that the title sort of began as someone's description of my unusual ability to get most anyone to open up and talk. Apparently another colleague had seen me work my people skills at a recent event where I found myself faced with someone who was not naturally conversational or, and his words here, known to be friendly. It seems that I was able to get this woman talking and ended up connecting her with several people before night's end and they watched this person transform by the end of the event.

I meet so many people that I honestly couldn't tell you who they were actually referring to but it's their story so I believe them. It was apparently that out of this conversation of five or six people who know me that the title was apparently unanimously voted on and approved. As he described in greater detail how many of these colleagues admire me for what I doing to teach people and whole organizations why the power of connection is so critical I found an enormous sense of pride welling up inside. I was truly touched.

I can certainly think of a lot of other titles that wouldn't be nearly as cool nor as valuable to me. But there is something about being recognized and admired by a group of peers for something that honestly I don't believe comes naturally to me. People do scare me. I am introverted...I swear! This whole "get out there and connect" mantra that I talk about over and over again is valid but is something I have to push myself daily to do and I know for some it isn't easy. I also know the rewards far outweigh the potential pitfalls that putting it one's self out there brings so I preach it and practice it with religious conviction.

As I thought about the People Whisperer title, I guess I do have a way about getting through most of the walls and defenses that people put up when communicating with others. I have found so many neat people during this amazing Ripple journey because I was willing to take a chance and get someone to open up and talk. There is no doubt that having a strategy and process for taking advantage of the opportunities to connect with those who cross your path in life is so very worth it.

The good news for you is....if I can do it, so can you. Heck there is no doubt you are more likely better at than I am.

People whisperer eh? I like it!

Ripple On!!!

Ripple Connection Question Of The Week

Ripple Connection Questions are a unique way to engage people in conversation. Whether with a complete stranger or someone you already know, but want to know better, using Ripple Connection Questions (RCQ) accelerate the dialogue and deepen the connection. The questions are by design, fun to ask and fun to answer, and can take your connection to an entirely new level. Come on, break out of that shell of yours and start Rippling.

So with no further adieu....this week's Ripple Connection Question is:

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO
BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T
DOING WHAT YOU ARE
DOING RIGHT NOW?

I love using this question at networking events and pulling it out before someone can ask me "So Steve what do you do?" The uniqueness of the order of words is always perfect for creating a temporary brain scramble on someone who is used to the same old boring way of networking. This question gives people a reason to pause and to really contemplate what you have just asked them and the answers you will get will simply amaze you.

For example here are some I recently received which gave me great insight and massive opportunities to stir some new connections in an entirely different (and much more fun) direction at a recent networking event (I had to attend).

Ted - Insurance Agent - Would rather be a gourmet cook with a little bistro in the South of France

Marianne - Army Recruiter - Would rather be a professional skydiving instructor and work only with kids from broken homes to teach them what is possible when they push themselves

Mark - Salesman - Would like to be a whitewater raft guide. He only feels at true peace when he is the mountains.

Suzanne - Stay-At-Home-Mom - Would rather travel the country (with kids in tow of course!) promoting a children's book that teaches valuable lessons.

No matter who the question is asked of you will undoubtedly find that everyone can come up with something that person would rather be doing. And the details of what that something is can open up a world of possibilities and connection for you both. Give it a try this week and see what kinds of Ripples this powerful little question can create for your connections!


Ripple On!!!

You Can Have An Effect - Sometimes You Just Need A Reminder

So yesterday I had to take my Ford Explorer back into the dealership for service. I have had a leak that despite multiple attempts to fix it hasn't been fixed. Yesterday I had had enough after seeing the rather large pool of fluid sitting on my garage floor yesterday morning. I had a very full morning and a lunch meeting but decided that I was going to go out to the dealership and raise some hell.

I was mad driving out there. It's bad enough that the dealership is somewhat of a drive for me but I have been out there so much over the past year that the service advisers no longer need to ask me for my name so they can fill out their service ticket. They are a very nice group but the simple fact was I was angry at having to see them again and it was putting me "in a mood."

My regular service adviser was not in when I arrived but the gentleman that helped me was very nice. He immediately sensed my frustration and offered to delay my day no further and offered me a rental car. My blood pressure calmed a bit and I appreciated his proactive approach to at least helping make my bad situation better in some small way. He pointed me to the waiting area and asked me to "make myself comfortable" until the rental car agent could come by and bring me my car. I remember thinking 'great, waiting around with nothing to do.'

I arrived in the waiting room to find a older man sitting in the chairs watching Dr. Phil. He wore a black baseball cap that indicated he had fought in both World War Two and Korea. He had brought old "Bessie," his Ford 250 horse hauling truck in to have the mirror replaced. Apparently his son and law couldn't handle such a powerful beast as Bessie and he sideswiped a mailbox with the mirror, breaking it.

He and I exchanged a few pleasantries and some ongoing commentary about the crazy beauty pageant ladies who were being counseled by Dr. Phil. He was a delightful man full of spark and personality and seemed to enjoy the company. He moved a few chairs closer to "visit" and I suspect to hear a little bit better.

He told me about living on a small little spec of land out yonder and how his truck had seen many a mile of this great state. Not a lick of problems with that "old Ford"; I wish I could be so lucky. We could have made polite chit chat for the rest of the time but I decided to ask about his hat.

His eyes lit up when I asked about his hat and his apparent service in our military. He sat up straighter, spoke stronger and almost seemed to take on a completely different personality altogether. He told me he had joined the Navy in 1944 because it was his only option out of the cotton fields. He spun stories of all his adventures both state side and beyond and spoke of some of the action his crew had seen but oddly didn't seem to want to talk about much of that.

He left the service in 1948 in hopes of making a better life for himself. He went to refrigeration school in Dallas and did well but soon found his job prospects somewhat limited. He rejoined the military but this time in the Army. He met his wife and was shipped off overseas to "fight the fight."

He simply transformed as he talked to me. Apparently he said he suffered from post traumatic syndrome and the "boys in his unit" thought him crazy. He claimed he wasn't crazy but just scared. The night terrors as he described them were almost unbearable and he was eventually given his walking papers and sent on back home to Texas. The sparkle seemed to trickle out of his eyes at that point; replaced by some barely noticeable tears.

"Here I've been ever since," he said almost apologetically.

I could have stayed and talked with him for hours. He was fascinating. To me it seemed like he hadn't had much of a chance to talk to anyone about what we shared in those few precious moments. It seemed really, really good for him and I was so glad that I had asked about his hat. Thinking back it could have been so easy to ignore what is obviously a powerful connection point to him and his life. What a shame that would have been!

As the rental car lady tapped me on the shoulder, I stood up and thanked him. I thanked him for his service to our country and for doing his duty and told him I was truly glad to know him. Big tears welled up in his eyes and he mumbled something barely audible. I asked him to repeat it but he looked down as if embarrassed by whatever he had said. He held my hand with a firm grip and said, "Nice talking with you fella."

It was nice talking with you too!

Think you can't make an impact on someone's day? I am glad my Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily - no joke!) had a problem and that I was led to that waiting area yesterday afternoon. Even the Ripple guy needs a wake up call and reminder every now and then.

Have a great weekend my friends.

Ripple On!!!

Presidential Candidates Need Gas.....Plan That Is

Political season is in full swing. Promises are being made. Babies are being kissed. Politicians are up on stages telling all of us how bad we've got it and how they hold the coveted secret to fixing all that ales us.

Rather than grandstanding about what our current administration has or hasn't done, I would like to hear just one presidential candidate talk about an issue that burns me every week or so....gas prices.

This is not a political BLOG and for the most part I try and stay agnostic when it comes to such things as politics and religion. However with this particular issue, I am deeply concerned with the economic impact that it will continue to have on our country. Yes my friends if we continue to feel it at the pump you can be sure it will affect how quickly our economy truly does dive headlong into the dark recesses of the recession-esq pool.

When the Iraq war began and prices shot up over $ 2.00 here in Texas people were outraged. Every other day I would get an email from some protesting friend asking me to boycott this gas company or that gas company. We could, as with most customer satisfaction issues, likely get the attention of these often greedy gas companies by deciding how and where to vote with our dollar. Some people did it but most didn't and today we quietly continue to pay the ridiculous increase while secretly cursing the companies at the pump.

I remember telling my wife at the time that once the country was groomed to pay higher prices the prices would never go down. I truly believed that once they had us over a particular price point and there was no national revolt, there would be nothing to stop them from putting forth increase after increase. Six years later there's talk of the national average for gas hovering around $ 4.00 this summer and how these gas prices are continuing to drive up everything from the groceries on the table to how much more we will pay for our jeas. Like I said, there's nothing stopping them and oddly enough, there's no one presidential candidate really talking about it.

Don't get me wrong I understand what drives the gas prices. But when our country fights so hard to protect many oil producing countries, you think we would be entitled to some good buddy discount or something. Or at minimum, quit shoving it in my face that this gas company CEO or that gas company CEO gets a multi-million dollar bonus or golden parachute when he or she retires. But alas that doesn't happen in the real world and those of us who depend on our cars for our living just have to suck it up and find the extra coin to continue driving. I wonder if McDonald's is still hiring for third shift?

It just seems to me that if these presidential candidates were really concerned with mapping out the direction the country is going to go they might just consider how many of us can afford to pay our own way to meet them there. Otherwise, I hope there's some extra room on their fancy buses to give me an my family a ride. A week with my crew might just make lowering gas prices agenda item number one for our newly minted Commander in Chief.

But like Dennis Miller always says, "Hey that's just my opinion. I could be wrong."

Ripple On!!!