Image courtesy of Chris Metcalf.
We constantly hear people say they want “job security and career advancement opportunities.” The good news is that you have taken the first step toward this lofty goal as you enrolled in the Ashworth College Small Business Management program designed for entrepreneurs. Starting and operating your own business is one way to take control of your future. Is it possible to become indispensable in today’s workplace? As you recognize your strengths, you will also build confidence, realizing that you have what it takes to market yourself and your new business; yes, you can become indispensable!
The term, indispensable means that which is necessary or essential. In other words, if you are to become indispensable, then you must become necessary or essential to the marketplace. As we consider what this means for you and your new business, let’s consider your strengths. Hopefully, your strengths include what I like to call, “The 9 E’s to BEcoming Indispensable:”
1. Enthusiasm
2. Effective communication skills
3. Ethical work habits
4. Effective employees
5. Effective problem solving and decision making skills
6. Endearing customer relationships
7. Energetic work habits
8. Education
9. Experience!
Let’s take a quick look at each of these important aspects which may catapult you to becoming indispensable. There is a reason why the word, “Enthusiasm” is first on the list. Enthusiasm is contagious! If you are enthusiastic about your abilities, your company, and your product, others will “catch” the excitement, too. Don’t you just love to be around someone who is excited about their work? It isn’t necessarily the words they use; instead, it is their non-verbal language which conveys the energy and enthusiasm they have.
Effective communication skills are vital to the success of an entrepreneur. Not only must you have a good command of the English language, you must effectively practice communication skills through writing and speech. I’ve written two helpful books which have been published by Pearson Publishers of Boston. “Going from Stress to Success,” published in 2007, is a public speaking textbook. “Basic Writing for Business: A Technical Approach,” published in 2008, is a textbook which details the basic skills of business writing. A combination of the two texts should help you to become proficient in writing and in speech. Other books are available on the market. If you feel you are deficient in your writing and speaking skills, take a course or purchase a book which will help you to develop your communication skills.
Job security is out there for people who exhibit ethical work habits. Think before you say or do anything. Make sure that your actions are consistent with business principles of moral conduct. Just remember that your work should be of the caliber that you would be proud to sign your name to it at the end of the day.
Effective employees can make your business a success. In this day of “no-customer service,” you will want to make sure that your employees treat customers with respect and honor. If you want your business to be indispensable, make sure you hire and keep effective employees.
Effective problem solving and decision making skills are another aspect which will help you to become indispensable. The key to effective problem solving and decision making seems to follow the same course: define the problem (or decision); look for alternative solutions (or answers); determine which solution (or answer) would be the best choice; activate the solution (or answer); and evaluate the results. Upon evaluation of the results, make recommendations regarding how to handle similar problems (or decisions) in the future. Learn from your mistakes and look toward the future!
Endearing customer relationships are another aspect which will make you and your new company indispensable. Customer loyalty is a powerful thing. The Golden Rule certainly works in this area, “Do unto others [your customers] as you would have others [other businesses] do unto you.” Before you answer a question or handle a problem, stop; ask yourself, “How would I like for someone to handle this if I were standing in my customer’s shoes?”
Energetic work habits are sure to place you on the road to job security. Energy is a by-product of enthusiasm and is found when positive attitudes are enacted. Task oriented people who get the job done are the type of people we need in business. Find that guy and you’ll find a guy with job security.
Never diminish the importance of education. As an entrepreneur, you need to be reading everything you can about the type of business with which you are involved. It is also important to read everything you can about business, in general. Learn, Learn, Learn, and Learn some more! The more you read and learn, the more knowledgeable you become, and Viola! You have become indispensable!
They say, “Experience is the best teacher.” Now, I’ve been trying for years to find out who “They” are; but the words are spoken in truth. If you want to know something about anything, ask someone who has experience. The more you work and the longer you work the more experience you gain. Learn from your past experiences. Take the negative experiences and learn something positive from them. Take the positive experiences, evaluate what contributions you made toward the positive experience, and duplicate it.
The “9 E’s to BEcoming Indispensable” are simple, yet powerful! You can become indispensable and in doing so, your job security and opportunities for career advancement are sure to be a goal worthy of achievement! Truett Cathy, founder of Chick Fil-A restaurants has been quoted as saying, “Academic credentials are important and will help you get in the door, but performance and dependability get you success.”
Penny Joyner Waddell
Small Business Management Instructor
Ashworth College
