Can You Fix It?

If you’re the kind of person who cringes when you see an obvious flaw in a system, take heart. In my time working for corporate America, I’ve learned that top level executives appreciate “fixers.”

Early in my career, I didn’t know how the businesses world worked. I thought what my managers wanted from me was to sit, do my job, and then go home. I assumed that the people above me MUST know exactly what they’re doing. After all, they wouldn’t be where they were without being perfect at their job, right? Who was I to point out a better way of doing things?

Boy, was I wrong! Through the years I’ve come to understand that sometimes it takes a new pair of eyes to see what’s really going on inside of a company. Couple that fresh view with valid prior experience and you’ve got something special. If you’re working for a business that cares about getting things right, then keep reading for my tips on how you can help.

• Be professional. This is not the time or place to have your emotions involved. They should see your passion for the job and excitement to get things right. But it’s an automatic loss on your part if they see the conversation as a gripe session. Be precise, to the point and excited to help make things better.
• Offer a solution. When bringing something to your manager’s attention, it’s important to offer a solution. Simply put - if you’re not helping to make it right, then stop complaining about it being wrong. Whining doesn’t help. Explaining in a professional manner that there’s a better way, does. Good managers surround themselves with people that compliment them. They should be open to a well laid out suggestion.
• Tell them how it affects the bottom line. Sometimes people who aren’t involved in the day to day operations of a business don’t understand the ramifications of an issue. It’s important to give them the bigger picture and to relate how your problem translates to the end product. Otherwise, the higher ups won’t fully appreciate the need for change.
• Prepare yourself to take some arrows. Being proactive and taking on more responsibility isn’t necessarily going to make you most popular amongst your peers. In fact, it might make you less likeable to some. But this isn’t a popularity contest. This is about bringing true value to your company and furthering your career. And don’t take it personally if your suggestion isn’t used.
• Don’t forget to compliment. I’ve always lived by the adage of sandwiching all negative feedback between two compliments, which has served me well. No one wants to be “that” guy. The one who managers run from because all they do is complain. Pointing out how your company can improve doesn’t mean you’re any less needed. To the contrary, being able to see what works and what doesn’t work makes you even more valuable.

In summary, if you have an idea that you think will improve your company or its product, share it. Slight changes in procedure may make the difference in whether a client continues doing business with your company or not. Losing a customer because you weren’t proactive can cost many people their jobs, even your own. Just because your client isn’t complaining, doesn’t mean they are satisfied with you. Most people won’t tell you that you are incompetent, or too slow, or too expensive, they’ll just take their business elsewhere. Don’t let that happen while you’re carrying a winning idea around in your head. If you have “the fix”, share it.