Chapter 3: No Sucking-Up! Making a Basic Plan

sarah ennenga Avatarsarah ennenga
August 14, 2007


In the Disney film “Alice in Wonderland” Alice asks the Cheshire cat which way she should go when confronted with a fork in the road.
Alice: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
Cat: “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.‚Äù
Alice: “I don’t much care where.”
Cat: “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
Alice: “So long as I get SOMEWHERE.”
Cat: “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
Obviously Alice wasn’t competing for a great promotion. You are! Making a simple plan and setting some goals will help you chart a course that leads to the position you want. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t even have to be completely right to begin with. What’s important for now is that you begin traveling the path that leads to where you want to go. There will be any number or course corrections along the way, but that is to be expected.
Answering each of the following questions in writing can serve as a beginning roadmap to your success. I encourage you to do this right now and again after reading this entire guide. As time goes by, adjustments will be warranted, but don’t let that stop you from beginning the process today.


Basic Statement of Career Objectives
What position do I want? (My ideal job)

  1. Title –
  2. Type of company –

Why do I desire this position? (Money, Challenge, Respect, etc.)

Where do I want to live and work?
How will I be qualified for this position?

  1. (Previous Experience)
  2. (Current & Past Positions Held)
  3. (Academic Training)
  4. (Other)

When will I achieve my objective?

  1. Month
  2. Year

Who would be described as the “ideal candidate” for the job? Logically and objectively list the traits and abilities of the “ideal candidate” i.e., good at presentations, strong people skills, expert product knowledge, M.S. degree, etc.

You should also consider “stepping-stone” or incremental promotions that will lead you to your ultimate goal position. It is the “eating the elephant one bite at a time” method. Sometimes there will be a direct route to your goal position, but often you will need to become the assistant supervisor before becoming the area supervisor or department manager.
It helps to list the sequential promotions you will need to arrive at your ultimate goal position in order.
Example:

  1. Stockroom Helper
  2. Stockroom Clerk
  3. Stockroom Assistant Supervisor
  4. *Stockroom Supervisor (Ultimate Goal Position)

Now take a look at the “Incremental Promotion Plan” on the next page.
Incremental Promotion Plan
(Short-term plan to reach long-term goals)
*Sample data are italic
To Advance from Current Position Stockroom Clerk
To Desired Position Stockroom Assistant Supervisor
Within 4 Months Will Require the Following Specifications and Accomplishments:
Job Performance

  1. I will need to get an excellent review during my annual performance appraisal.
  2. I will have to stop coming in late on Fridays.
  3. I need to master the inventory control software.

Political

  1. I need to “mend fences” with Bob in accounting.
  2. I need to show some R.O.I. on our remodeling efforts.

Educational

  1. I need to finish my night course on Inventory Control Systems.
  2. I need to attend the in-house “Basics of Leadership” course and complete a course project.

Personal

  1. I’ll need to free-up my evenings to complete classes and projects.
  2. I’ll have to spend less time with my family during the week and more time with them on the weekends through April.

General/Company/Location

  1. The second shift operation will need to be ramped-up.
  2. May have to work in the downtown office for a while.

No matter how much you plan or how many people you have looking out for you, to a very large degree, you are on your own. Don’t assume people will take good care of you even if they make those assertions. It is your job and your career. Ultimately you are responsible for taking good care of yourself and your company.
As much as I prefer working with others to accomplish great things (and we’ll get into that a lot more later,) you need to follow the old adage “plan your work, and work your plan” if you are going to achieve your goal position. That undertaking lies squarely in your hands.
Filling out these basic plan worksheets is preparatory to formulating a more strategic game plan. This will develop as you learn the various methods discussed throughout the rest of this book. The worksheets are not the strategy, but rather, a starting point that will help you better define and work toward your goals.
Chapter 3 Summary Points

  • Creating a ‚ÄúBasic Plan‚Äù will help you define your career objectives and focus your efforts to reach your goals.
  • ‚ÄúStepping-Stone‚Äù or incremental promotions, might be the best way to reach your ultimate goal position.
  • Ultimately you are responsible for taking good care of yourself and your company. Although others can be helpful, don‚Äôt depend too much on them to take care of you.
  • ‚ÄúPlan your work, and work your plan.‚Äù


Bill Hanover is author of “No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve” and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about “No Sucking-Up” at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill’s consulting services at www.tpslean.com

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