Managing Me PLC

So, are the following statements true? Think about your ideal... is there a difference? If you have too many differences between 'current' status and 'ideal' status, you have some work to do!

Identify Target Markets & Assess Needs:

• I know what kind of position I want next.
• I have long-range goals for my career.
• I have long-range goals for my personal life.
• I know what skills or new knowledge will be required to grow and progress in my job, my company, and my area of expertise.
• I have examined how my current set of skills and experience could be applied to different career options.
• My boss knows my career aspirations.
• The owner of my next 'target' position knows of my intent.

Develop your Unique Products & Services:

• I have the appropriate education and experience for the kind of job I want next.
• I take outside or company-sponsored courses or seminars that add to my managerial and technical expertise.
• I seek out individuals who have information and skills that I need to understand.
• I have a role model, mentor or champion whom I can learn from and who supports me in my professional goals.
• I regularly read journals, newspapers and books, both within my industry and profession and in management and business in general.
• I understand how influence works in my organisation and how to develop my own influence skills.
• I feel I can adapt to people's styles when working with them.
• I take care of myself physically and am described as a person with a lot of energy.
• I keep a balance between my work and the rest of my life.
• I have a written learning plan which lists what, how and when.

Develop your internal and external networks:

• My boss's boss and other senior managers know who I am.
• I am proud of my accomplishments and find ways of letting people know what they are.
• I develop contracts in areas of my company that do not have regular dealings with me.
• I am energetic and enthusiastic about my company and job.
• At meetings, I make presentations to people at levels higher than my boss's.
• I am involved in cross-departmental committee or problem solving groups.
• I am visibly involved in a professional organisation, preferably in a leadership role.
• I keep in touch with people I have worked with in the past.
• I attend professional meetings and make contact with leaders in my particular field and related areas.
• I have a network I can call on for problem solving assistance and I respond when people call on me.

Build your reputation by providing high quality services:

• My dress sense is appropriate and professional.
• I feel I have a good relationship with my superiors.
• I feel I have a good relationship with my colleagues and the team.
• I feel I have a good relationship with my subordinates.
• I speak and listen to my customers (internal and external) regularly, and check that I understand their needs.
• Other people seek out my opinions on work-related subjects.
• I am accessible and responsive to requests and people find me approachable.
• I am seen as a problem solver and committed to action.
• I propose and take actions to enhance the quality of my company's products and services.
• My slide set is always professional and my hand outs are clear.

Evaluate your Marketability:

• I am aware of my strengths, weaknesses and development needs.
• I seek out feedback (external and internal), at all levels regarding my performance.
• I use the feedback I receive to improve my performance.
• I have enrolled my boss in the process of aligning my career development plans with the company's strategic goals.
• I ensure that I have a good relationship with the HR department.
• I maintain contact with professionals in my field in order to know what value is put on my skills and expertise.
• I make contacts with appropriate executive search firms.
• My cv is current, well-organied, concise and accurate.
• My cv reflects the measurable management and leadership accomplishments of my career as well as my particular areas of expertise.