QUESTION: Recognition for Special Projects - Wait and see? 

Dear Merry,

I am a Senior VP of Human Resources in a consulting company.

I just finished a big special project on time and against all odds. The successful completion of this project will save the company in excess of $250 million dollars each year for the next 3 years.

Because of the huge financial benefit to the company, I am hoping to receive a raise or some other financial recognition. Is there anything specific I should do? Or should I simply let my good work stand for itself?  

RESPONSE: Appropriate Self-Promotion 

Dear Senior VP,

Congratulations on the success of your project! Expecting your work to speak for itself is a common mistake executives make. It is inappropriate to think that other people will recognize the impact of your work without some input from you. It s not that people intend to ignore your efforts; it is only that people are busy and expect a job well done. In order to be recognized, you should appropriately promote your success.

Here are my suggestions:

1) Do not wait to be recognized.

2) Do a brief summary of your project that will:

a. Credit your team and others responsible.

b. Talk specifically about the results to the company both short and long term - including dollar impact.

3) Email this summary to your boss and any other appropriate constituents with a request to schedule a meeting.

4) Make a direct request for recognition: In the meeting, debrief the project and the results with your boss and directly ask for a bonus or a raise.

a. Remember the asking is not because you need the money.

b. It is directly linked to the work you ve done for the company and the results it has/will produce.

5) If they are resistant, then it is appropriate to ask "What specifically would you need from me in order to support a bonus and/or a raise?" With this information you have the opportunity to go back and produce the results they seek, follow through to show that you met your boss goals and again, request a raise/bonus.

6) Volunteer to present your project work as an agenda item at a larger meeting to publicize your efforts and success. Share your learnings and challenges. What went well? What did not go well? Again, emphasize the financial impact to the company.

Don t wait for others to give you the recognition you deserve. Appropriate self-promotion will ensure that the key parties are aware of your achievements and their impact on the company.

Who knows, you may be like someone I coached recently on this same issue. They took a "risk" and asked their boss for a raise. The boss response: "I am surprised I didn t hear from you sooner!" It s your responsibility to come forward with the idea of financial recognition, not theirs.

Dare to Deliver!

Merry

President, www.break-throughconsulting.com

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Merry Marcus, President of Break-Through Consulting is a Certified Masterful Coach, entrepreneur and former Fortune 100 VP of Sales.  Break-Through Consulting is a coaching and consulting company focused on producing otherwise impossible business results through breakthroughs in traditional thinking and actions.  Merry can be reached at:  (215) 579-8293 and mmarcus@break-throughconsulting.com.