Southampton, Southampton -- (SBWire) -- 09/30/2009 -- You've worked long and hard at your present job. Other employees at your work have been promoted. You've dreamed about advancing in your company. But how do you get the a raise or promotion you deserve at Parker Worldwide http://www.parker-worldwide.co.uk without rocking the corporate boat?

Take control of the situation," says Robert Lowe, who was recently promoted through the Business development program into Management at Marketing firm Parker Worldwide Ltd. Getting that promotion becomes an achievable goal if you take initiative and responsibility for your advancement. All it takes are a few key steps: communication, the right knowledge, professional skills, a plan of action and the art of negotiation.

The newest Manager at Parker Worldwide Ltd in Southampton “Robert Lowe” explains just how it works.

First of all, Robert adds, "Initiate communication with your boss." Through effective communication with his boss, he learned that he wanted to know more about what was happening in other departments in the company. He offered to find out for him. Now Robert meets with his boss 10-15 minutes a day to give him the big picture of what is happening in the firm.

Sarah HR manager and manager of employee relations at Parker Worldwide (UK) Ltd., suggests that you initiate conversation and dialogue with your supervisor to clarify expectations and perceptions of your job performance.

Evaluation of your work may rest on unwritten and unspoken expectations. Uncovering these hidden expectations and taking concrete steps to full fill them will boost your chances of advancement.

The value of these communication efforts on your job performance is that you can receive support and feedback in a non-threatening, supportive atmosphere. As you learn to receive constructive feedback, you will be able to identify and pursue opportunities for growth and advancement within the company you work for.

KNOW EVALUATION RULES
Every business has its own rules for raises and promotions. Some companies offer raises based on a cost-of-living index or how long employees have worked with the company. For Parker Worldwide Ltd and many other firms, promotions are determined by an in-depth employee evaluation, which is based on an employee's professional development and initiative.

Knowing what skills your company bases promotions on will help you take active steps to improve your job performance. Being offered constant support and training on these skills while working in your current position will speed up your career development and help the business growth in size and strength within its entire team, allowing for an overall company expansion.

For example, Robert explains that Parker Worldwide evaluates its employees through a four-pronged approach that incorporates performance appraisals, personal development plans, upward feedback (team members appraising a team leader's performance) and customer feedback. These four components provide Parker Worldwide’s leaders and managers with a detailed assessment of each employee's work performance.

While the quality and quantity of work performed are important, Parker Worldwide’s, assistant managers and managers, emphasizes good critical thinking and decision-making skills, employee initiative and good self-management skills as critical components in work performance.

Other employee characteristics that managers look for when evaluating job performance include: planning and organizational skills, adaptability, ability to implement change effectively and quickly, emotional control, interpersonal skills, a sense of ethics, and commitment to learning personal and professional development.

Armed with the knowledge of what your company looks for in a good employee, your next step to job advancement is to make your skills match your employer's expectations. Development of professional skills not only reflects your commitment to personal and professional growth, but also increases your value as an employee and your bargaining power for negotiating a raise or promotion.

These days, many businesses encourage and expect employees to continue their professional growth and development. Parker Worldwide supports employee participation in educational programs, employee workshops and seminars, and other opportunities for professional growth."

A good place to work on skill development is through continuing education courses, professional seminars and business courses supplied at Parker Worldwide. Robert Lowe developed his professional skills through courses such as "Time Management" and "Conflict Resolution" taught during his time on the business development program, and through working closely with the Management team prior to his own promotion.

Robert Lowe says, "I always attempt to display continuous growth and mastery in my profession." He achieves this goal by attending meetings from the companies top managers and director, obtaining professional registrations, and recently completing the Business development program.
"My employers have benefited by having a well-rounded person with evidence of learning and continuing education, in their place of work" Robert adds.

MAKE AN ACTION PLAN
You know what your company wants in a good employee.

You've developed more professional skills. Now, it's time, as Robert advises, to "take action. Consider yourself a problem solver. Whenever someone comes to you with a situation or problem, fix it first, and then take steps to prevent it. Be proactive."

"Be as effective as possible," "Keep a list of your accomplishments and perceived level of functioning to start a discussion with your employers for advice on how to improve your performance."

Through such a dialogue, you show your managers and leaders how important it is for you to receive a raise or promotion, and that you value their opinions and advice.

As Robert Lowe advises, "The key is to sit down and write out everything you do, not just what is on your job description. Then go over each item individually, and try to do each one better than before. Overachieve. If you can expand, add things to your job so that with your review, you can compare your actual job description with what you really do. If you can track what you do, then your employer can see the value of your work."

Making an action plan is an ongoing process. As you keep making records of your accomplishments and achievements, use the suggestions and advice from your supervisors and pursue opportunities for professional growth. Step by step, you'll improve your job performance and grow closer to that promotion or raise that you've dreamed about.

LEARN THE POWER OF NEGOTIATION
The final step to obtaining a raise or promotion is to learn the fine art of negotiation.

To begin this task, determine the salary and benefits you want, including the minimum and maximum amounts you would accept whether you would benefit more from a salary or performance pay and a realistic assessment of what you can hope to achieve. You'll need to gather information about pay scales for positions similar to yours in the community, which you can obtain from local employment services and other companies within your industry.

If you are invaluable to your company, Robert Lowe suggests, "Attempt a raise or promotion is in line with the information you've gathered, develop a strategy for presenting your request to your supervisor. In your strategy, you always need to be aware of your employer's needs and how your request will benefit the company.=2 0Good timing is essential in presenting your request. The energy you devote to developing a strong case in support of your request for a promotion or raise will pay off as you negotiate with your manager.

Once you've made the effort to understanding your organization's promotion rules and initiated open communication and feedback with your supervisor, your request for a promotion or raise will become an open door to your career growth in the company, you really can move up the ladder as quickly as you can learn the required skills.

As Robert notes, "The key to a successful promotion is in seeing the big picture and how you fit in with what other people are doing. Envision how you can move up and benefit the organization as a whole."

By taking control of your work performance and thoroughly planning your advancement strategy, your dream about a raise or promotion can become a reality when working for a company that promotes on your individual performance.

For more information from Robert Lowe on his rapid progression into Management using his own personal and professional development systems please us the contact us page on the main website.

About Parker Worldwide Ltd
Parker Worldwide Ltd are a Direct Sales & Marketing company. Our Marketing styles are truly unique & allow us to work with some of the top-tier clients, represent some of the world’s most recognized brands, covering many different industries. We achieve success in meeting our clients’ customer acquisition goals by creating a culture of opportunity within a team-oriented, positive environment - making Parker Worldwide a win-win situation for clients and employees alike.

Contact Us:-
Boyd Parker,
Parker Worldwide Ltd.,
2 Saxon Gate,
Back of the walls,
Southampton,
SO14 3HA

Tel: 02380 381080

Website: http://www.parker-worldwide.co.uk
Email:contact@parker-worldwide.co.uk, careers@parker-worldwide.co.uk,
info@parker-worldwide.co.uk