What are you communicating?

By Myriam Callegarin • February 10th, 2010

Who are you? I mean, what kind of person does your boss see when you are in a meeting? What kind of person do your potential clients see at networking events?

Who do your team members see when you tell them what they should do? Do you keep your promises?

Whatever you say or do, you are communicating something about yourself.

There is something extremely valuable and unique about you

What is it?

I bet you are very busy all day…

What is the value of what you do?

If you cannot really put a value on your work, how can your boss, your future employer, or your customers put a value on it? And if they cannot put a value on it, why should they spend their money to give you a rise, a job, or to buy your services?

In business, there are two sides of value

On one side is the value perceived by others. If they find your work or your products valuable, and if they believe you can satisfy their needs, they will buy.

On the other side is the value perceived by yourself. If it takes you a lot of time and energy to do your work, you expect an adequate return from your efforts.

Something that seems worthless to you may actually provide great benefit to others!

Effective communication is a matter of aligning these two perceptions, and thus it is a matter of aligning expectations.

4 steps to communicate value

Step 1. Know what is truly valuable about yourself and your work, that provides a benefit to your boss, your future employer, your customers or your team.

Step 2. Clarify what you want/need in return for providing value consistently (financially, physically, emotionally)

Step 3. Create a clear message that highlights what the other person/organization gets from saying yes to you. Back it up with solid data: numbers, testimonials, etc.

Step 4. Identify the most effective ways to deliver your message. Like Scott Blanchard writes “Leverage the best – Ditch the rest” – and then do it!

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About the author

Myriam Callegarin helps action-oriented managers, professionals and business owners communicate value to their employer, clients and teams, in order to earn what they are worth in a work they enjoy. If you want to find out how you could benefit from her expertise, simply request a free consultation.