Three Ways to Convince Your Boss of Your Idea

One of the most powerful ways to get ahead at work is to create opportunities that benefit you and the company. Selling an idea often requires more than a quick conversation. Before you pitch to your boss, take time to build a thoughtful, persuasive proposal.

Develop a Plan

When you are selling an idea, one of the easiest ways to fail is to present a vague, unfinished plan. Unless your idea is game-changing, you'll need to do more work. Come up with a step-by-step plan for implementing the idea. Don't spend too much time over-thinking each detail, but outline each major stage. Define goals and milestones, and list the people who will need to be involved. Estimate the amount of time it will take to implement the plan. With this in hand, you'll avoid overwhelming your boss and make it easier to understand the scope of the idea.

Know Your Audience

The most important factor in selling an idea to your boss is to know your audience. Your boss is more than just an employee—she has professional aspirations of her own. If your idea doesn't line up with her vision for the team or the company, she may be more likely to dismiss it. Think about your boss' main concerns and goals. What does she want to achieve in the company? Who does she report to? Will your idea make extra work for her? Consider her personality—is she comfortable stepping aside to let you shine, or do you need to make her feel like a significant player? Ensure that your idea pitch answers all questions and addresses each potential challenge.

According to Entrepreneur magazine, you should also consider your boss's personal preferences when you are building the presentation itself; if she hates slide shows, don't use PowerPoint. If she tends to zone out at large blocks of text, use visual aids to enhance the presentation. The more you can eliminate potential roadblocks when selling an idea, the easier it is to get the go-ahead.

Communicate Value

No matter how fantastic your idea is, it's unlikely to get the green light unless you can communicate its value. Before you try selling an idea pitch, consider the things that your boss values, and frame your argument accordingly. If she is constantly reminding your colleagues about productivity, for example, you might emphasize how your idea will reduce wasted time in the office. A boss who is more interested in profits, on the other hand, might respond better to potential earnings projections.

If you are selling an idea that impacts other people, take your proposal a step further. Explain how it will benefit customers, colleagues, company executives and other departments. Consider how the idea will help advance the company's goals, increase profits or support future growth plans. Don't forget about your boss—how will your plan make her look better or increase her standing in the company?

Selling an idea can be a tough proposition, particularly if you have a boss who is averse to change. By anticipating challenges and creating a persuasive pitch, however, you can power through roadblocks and bring your plan to fruition.

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