“The most important thing for workers to understand is that you have to make yourself indispensable. You must make money for your employer or make his life easier, preferably both. Also, you have to learn as much as you can about your chosen endeavor.”
– Bill O’Reilly
In today’s economy and job environment, no one’s safe or secure. Job security has become a serious concern for everyone, and no one’s safe from getting laid-off at a moment’s notice. It’s pretty bleak, as companies are involved in heavy business restructuring and jobs are, for instance, being outsourced to places where it is cheaper for companies to do business and get work done.
As a consequence, no one’s job is completely safe and everyone’s replaceable.
Or is that really the case? Are there ways in which we can make ourselves important assets to a company? Ways in which we can ensure that we remain in the company no matter what happens – ways through which we can make ourselves indispensable to our employers?
The answer is yes. Here are 5 ways how:
1. Go the extra mile
Show that you are willing and capable to go the extra mile at work. This means that you do a little more than what’s expected of you, if you have the time, means and resources to do so. You over-deliver. You add a bit more value to the work that you do. Not only do you get the job done, you go above and beyond of your job description. You take on responsibilities that no one expects you to, and work on things no one else wants to work on.
2. Build relationships
As the saying goes ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ Being connected and building and nurturing relationship with people who matter can not only make you indispensable at work, but can take you a long way. Some keys to success when it comes to building strong work relationships include listening to people, giving them your time, being a good communicator, giving and taking feedback, and finally, being trusting and more empathetic towards people.
3. Develop your USP
USP is short for Unique Selling Proposition, a refers to something that you have or possess that no one else does – for instance a particular skill. Being a specialist who’s in possession of a skill that no one else does, and one that is valuable to your organization. Make sure that you’re the only person there who know how to use his/her skills to get a particular task or job done. And make sure that you advertise your USP.
Having a USP that is unique to you – as well as expanding your skills – will guarantee that you are indispensable at work.
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4. Save your company money
Look for ways in which you can save your employer money. For instance is the company looking to upgrade it’s hardware or software systems, and are you aware of cheaper alternatives or methods that could save the company some money? Do your homework and then go ahead and make the recommendation. Save your bosses some money and you will become one of their core, most-trustworthy employees by default.
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5. Be more productive
Accomplish more during the day. Try to do your work thoroughly and properly, but more quickly and efficiently. Try to improve your processes but be thorough and professional with your work; being more productive and efficient at work does not mean that you find shortcuts. We’ve done plenty of articles here on SmartBusinessTrends.com: