Know-How Exchange : Strategy

VICTORIAB,

The best format for writing a Proposal requesting a raise begins with "not putting it in writing". It begins with you making yourself an invaluable servant to the company in every way that supports your "bosses needs". If you go the extra mile in every case. Not only work hard but work smart. Show up earlier than everyone else. And leave later then everyone else you are on the road to a great pay raise. From my own personal experience raises need to be communicated and expressed in the spoken word versus the written word. When you put things in writing such as this you tend to make people think that you are documenting the situation and that's not good. If you communicate it the dialogue is more productive than the written monologue. It's fresher and it's more intimate. Your boss will feel more respected especially if you give him a chance to share what things he feels warrants a good pay raise. I'll think on it a little more but this is based on my experience. Is there anything else I can do for you Victoriab?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE, (Customer Passion Evangelist)

PS
Serve your boss in more ways than one and I guarantee your boss will serve you back. It's the law of reciprocity and it works!

Victoriab,

I had a boss once who took me from 24 points to 38 points all because I did everything he asked me and then more. I made myself available for all his request or special runs. And my numbers for six months straight were hire than every other sales rep in his company. Without a doubt after six months he had to give me a raise without me even raising the question verbally or in writing. Furthermore I was the one he always pointed out as an example at sales meetings when he needed to point out the fact that hard work done intelligently does pays off.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE

Excellent advice! I highly recommend heeding all of the above, plus, here is a little suggestion that may win over the negotiation:

Offer a 90 day trial at the higher pay rate. This will show your boss your are confident in your abilities and serious about making the change.

Offering to do it at your current salary may be sound risk-free for your boss, but not for you! It could destroy any perception of confidence he has in you. In other words, you will opening the door to be assigned higher level duties at lower pay and without the title!

What I'm trying to say is offer them an out, then make sure you never give them a reason to use it. This makes it "safe" for them. I mentioned doing it at your current salary because some people may advise you to work BEYOND "above and beyond", taking things too far. So far that the management begins to take advantage of you (and they will) and will not respect you. Do your current duties and do them well. Don't kiss butt, rather show tons of confidence and treat your boss like he is just one of the staff. Call them by their first name and just casualy say "Morning", just as you would to any other person walking down the hall. stay on the good side, but dont smother them or present too many fake cheesy smiles accompanied by "Good Mring Mrs. Smith! I hope yu had a yippidy-skippy weekend! Is there anything I can do for you? Coffee?"...it will make them tempted to abuse you and you lose self respect (and the respect of your co-workers...who may become your sub-ordinates in the event of a promotion).

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Good Luck!