Are You Getting The Respect You Deserve?

Are You Getting The Respect You Deserve?
If you are like most purchasers, you feel that you get lessrespect than you deserve.
Like any other business improvement, getting more respectinvolves a strategy. Here are six things you can do toincrease the respect you get in the workplace. Apply them allfor maximum impact.
1. Over-Deliver. You have goals for the year, right? If you reach those goals, you may feel that you've done really well. Does management share this view? Usually, managers see achieving goals as expected or minimum performance. You must exceed your goals to be truly impressive.
2. Communicate Your Value. It is great if you produce great results. But is anyone going out of their way to see how well you're doing? Probably not. So be sure to communicate what you've accomplished. Otherwise, it is likely that no one will know what you've done. Or worse. They may think you've done nothing!
3. Consciously Develop Relationships. The best way to develop good relationships in purchasing is to deliver great service. Go above and beyond the call of duty. Challenge yourself to return calls faster. Give status updates more frequently. Follow up to make sure your manager or internal customer is happy. And if things go wrong - apologize and show your commitment to getting things corrected.
4. Join a Board of Directors. Many trade and professional associations need talented volunteers. Joining a board demonstrates your commitment to your business, profession, and/or industry.
5. Have an Article or Interview Published. If a third party wants to write about your success, others are more likely to notice that you really do your job well. Outside opinions increase your credibility.
6. Get Certified. Meeting third-party standards for excellence is objective proof of your capabilities. Certification is another external credibility source.