If you are working in a small business, you might be wondering how to advance your career and get a promotion. While there is no one-size-fits-all formula, there are some strategies that can help you leverage your current role and demonstrate your value to your employer. Here are six tips to boost your chances of getting promoted in a small business.
Before you start looking for opportunities to move up, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why. What are your short-term and long-term career goals? What skills and experiences do you need to reach them? How do they align with the vision and mission of your small business? Having a clear sense of direction will help you identify the best ways to leverage your current role and communicate your aspirations to your manager and peers.
One thing I found helpful was setting up SMART objectives and tracking the deviation percentage and working on maintaining track. Having a clear vision means being able to actually put it on paper!
One of the best ways to improve your performance and prepare for a promotion is to seek feedback from your manager, colleagues, and customers. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn from your mistakes, and discover areas of improvement. You can ask for feedback regularly, such as after completing a project, meeting a deadline, or solving a problem. You can also request a formal performance review or a career development plan from your manager. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to grow and improve.
Demonstrate initiative by taking on additional responsibilities beyond your current role, showcase your accomplishments to highlight your impact on the team, seek feedback for continuous improvement, and proactively communicate your career goals with your supervisor, expressing your interest in taking on more challenging tasks. Building strong relationships within the organization and staying updated on industry trends can also enhance your chances of securing a promotion.
Another way to leverage your current role and show your potential is to take initiative and go beyond your assigned tasks. You can look for ways to add value to your small business, such as by proposing new ideas, solving problems, improving processes, or increasing efficiency. You can also volunteer for extra responsibilities, such as leading a team, mentoring a new hire, or taking on a challenging project. Taking initiative can help you demonstrate your skills, creativity, and leadership, as well as your commitment and enthusiasm.
Depending on the business - become a quasi futurist and on your own time, look closely at the emerging technolgies that will, or could, affect your company. Dig into it through free webinars, online free newsletters and buy a book or two. and then bring a concise overview of the top 2or 3 tech solutions to the owner and be able to articulate the benefits for the company to invest time, money and energy - all are usually scarce resources. Return on Investment (ROI) is top of mind for business owners, as well as the expense. Never bring 'half-baked ideas' to your 'boss'.
Networking is not only useful for finding new opportunities, but also for leveraging your current role and building your reputation. You can expand your network by connecting with people inside and outside your small business, such as by attending events, joining online communities, or reaching out to former colleagues. You can also seek mentors, sponsors, or allies who can support your career development, offer advice, or advocate for you. Networking can help you gain visibility, learn new skills, and access valuable resources.
In business, the value of a solid professional network cannot be understated. It’s about creating genuine connections that bring unique insights and opportunities. This network becomes particularly important for leaders and entrepreneurs, offering a blend of support, fresh perspectives, and access to new ideas. It helps you stay informed about industry trends and provides a platform for mutual growth. Importantly, it’s a reciprocal relationship, where both giving and receiving advice and opportunities enrich your professional journey. A well-maintained network is not just an asset; it's a vital part of thriving in the business landscape.
To leverage your current role and prepare for a promotion, you need to keep learning and updating your skills. You can look for opportunities to learn from your manager, peers, or customers, such as by asking questions, observing best practices, or seeking feedback. You can also pursue formal or informal education, such as by taking courses, reading books, or watching videos. You can also learn by doing, such as by trying new tasks, experimenting with new tools, or applying new knowledge. Learning can help you stay relevant, adaptable, and competitive.
Finally, to leverage your current role and get a promotion, you need to showcase your achievements and highlight your impact. You can keep track of your accomplishments, such as by creating a portfolio, updating your resume, or writing a summary. You can also share your achievements with your manager, peers, or customers, such as by sending updates, giving presentations, or asking for testimonials. Showcasing your achievements can help you build your credibility, confidence, and value.
Is it important to note that not everyone can be promoted, I believe the key is to be ready and willing for the next available opening in the company so you can be considered for the position. When I mean ready is to have all the appropriate knowledge for the position you want to have soft and hard skills. In my perspective, you have to prepare yourself for the position you want to have, and if the opening is not happening as fast as you want it to be. Look for it elsewhere.
Taking the advice and steps shared above (1-6) are very helpful ways to transition into freelancing and or business ownership instead of a promotion. Given how many people are looking to move up, and the number of opportunities that actually exist, it’s good to explore options outside of putting this energy into getting a promotion.