Development – External

External development is just as important as internal development for both the individual and a business – to ensure career growth and business growth.  Here are some tips for individuals and for businesses.

Individual

Tip 1:  Within – You can build your career inside your current organization.  Play with the following:

• Make your career aspirations known to your supervisor and others who will listen.
• Take on projects that are out of your comfort zone and will allow you to work with others you may not interact with.
• Keep your relationships with fellow employees friendly and professional, you never know who you’ll be supervising in the future.
• Seek your deep friendships outside of your company.
• Enthusiasm and attitude go a long way toward career advancement.

Tip 2:  Outside – You can find opportunities outside your organization.  Perhaps these might work:

• Attend networking events which are outside of your immediate line of business – Chamber of Commerce, Special interest groups, etc.  You don’t have to join to check them out.
• Talk to a minimum of five new people you don’t know at each meeting.
• Follow-up with the new people with a note, invitation to coffee or telephone conversation to learn more about them.
• Do not sit with those you work with at outside events.
• Join LinkedIn groups to find out what others are doing in areas that interest you.

Business

Tip 1:  Within – your current customer base.  See what happens when you try some of these:

• Ask your customers what other services they want from you.
• Create a referral program for existing customers to bring in new customers.
• Bundle or package your products and services so your customers develop a deeper relationship with you.
• Create an exclusive offer of an existing or new product only available to your current customers.

Tip 2:  Outside – you can find additional customers within your current market.  Here are some ideas that may help:

• Create testimonials from happy customers which will speak to the needs of new customers.
• Prepare a free training session for your market which will teach something related to what you sell.  Great way to showcase your company while adding value.
• Partner with complementary businesses, e.g. realtor with a contractor, for shared marketing and promotion.
• Talk to community leaders and large employers offering exclusive access of your products to their employees.
• Distinguish  yourself from your competitors in a meaningful way in your marketplace.

If you don’t promote yourself or your business, who will?  Do you have any tips that have worked for you or for your business?  Leave your comments below.

To print this or any other post, click the first icon in Share the Knowledge below.