How Do You "Add Value" at
Work?
What's the purpose of your job?
Most likely, you were hired to help your organization to achieve its goals. And, for most of us, this means
making money. Even organizations that measure success in different ways, such as nonprofits and
government departments, have to balance the books.
But focusing on the "bottom line" is by no means the only way to add value to your role. Showing
initiative and demonstrating problem-solving skills, efficiency and adaptability, for example, can make
you a prized asset to your company.
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In this article, we look at three approaches that you can use to add value to your role – and to make
yourself indispensable in the process!
Why Adding Value Matters
From your organization's perspective, employees who add value are key to remaining competitive,
agile and innovative. Their engagement and commitment energize the business and enable it to thrive.
But, on a personal level, if you already do your job well, why should you look for ways to do more?
One important reason is that adding value will likely boost your career. The more you "bring to the
table," the better your reputation becomes. This can make your job more secure when conditions are
tough or uncertain. It can also help you to secure a promotion, or to find a new job if you need to move
on.
Taking on additional reponsibilities may also increase job satisfaction, by making your role more
varied and interesting. (You can find out more about the factors that create job satisfaction, and
dissatisfaction, in our article, Herzberg's Motivators and Hygiene Factors.)
And bringing extra value to your team or organization can be empowering, and increase your confi-
dence and motivation – especially when your contributions are acknowledged by your boss.
How to Add Value to Your Organization
Here are three ways to add value to your team or organization:
1. Increase Revenue
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You don't need to make sales to make money for your organization. Whatever your role, your actions
can have a positive effect on the bottom line.
Consider the following ideas:
• Extend your network. Attend conferences and networking events where you can promote
your product or service and boost its visibility in the marketplace. Professional networking
can be especially valuable in niche or specialized markets.
• Build a positive reputation. Maintaining good relationships with customers will positively
influence the way that they perceive your brand, and a happy customer is a loyal customer!
Don't neglect your suppliers, either – they can save you money and help you to achieve your
strategic goals. (Read our article, Supplier Relationship Management, for more on this.)
• Look for opportunities to innovate. Got a great suggestion for a new product, or for im-
provements to an existing service? Act on it! Our article, Doblin's 10 Types of Innovation®,
shows how every aspect of your business can benefit from fresh ideas. And in our resources,
Plan-Do-Check-Act and The Innovation Circle, you can learn how to assess the feasibility of
your plan.
• Be a brand advocate. Tell your social circle, and your friends and contacts online, about what
your organization does and why it's great. This can raise awareness and help to generate
leads. Even if those in your direct network don't require your company's services, they may
know someone who does!
Tip:
When you post about your organization on social media, take care to reflect its mission and
core values. Always be courteous and respectful, and make sure that your posts don't conflict
with your company's existing social media strategy. If in doubt, check with your manager or
your marketing department first.
2. Reduce Costs
When your company spends less, its profit increases. You can reduce costs by using fewer resources,
boosting productivity, and ensuring that your skills are up to date, so that your business operates as
efficiently as possible.
For example, you could:
• Identify cost savings. This could involve evaluating suppliers, sourcing cheaper materials,
or negotiating new contracts. Perhaps you could research cheaper travel options, find more
cost-effective training, or reduce the amount that you spend on power and materials. Even
modest savings soon add up!
• Streamline your processes. Focus on ways to improve your time management, or to enable
your team to "work smarter." This could include mapping your workflows, introducing new
software, or running your meetings more effectively. (You'll find many more ideas in our
article, Improving Business Processes.)
• Audit your skills. You can use a Training Needs Assessment to identify any gaps in your
knowledge, or your team's. But also look out for any "extra" skills that you're not using. Say,
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for instance, you completed a graphic design course at college, but you're not using these
skills in your current role. Could they be put to good use elsewhere in your company?
• Encourage learning in your organization. Take advantage of any formal training opportunities
that your company offers. But also consider informal training sessions such as "lunch and
learns." Could you, for example, help your co-workers to develop their IT skills, feed back on
a recent project, or share your industry knowledge?
3. Look Beyond "the Bottom Line"
Adding value means going beyond your job description, and investing more than just the minimum
effort required.
First, link your work to specific organizational objectives. This enables you to focus on the tasks that
will have the biggest impact on your company's success. (Read our articles, Using OKRs and OGSM
Frameworks, to learn more about how to align personal goals with business objectives.)
Then, seize opportunities to take the initiative. Make things happen – don't wait to be told! Look for
ways to solve problems, and to help your co-workers to do the same. This demonstrates that you're a
team player, and that you're not just seeking to further your own interests.
This may include doing things that no one else wants to do. For example, perhaps your HR team
often requests feedback on employee issues, but gets few responses. Or your sales team asks, in
vain, for people to flag up potential new customers. Be the person who always responds, who offers
suggestions, and who encourages co-workers to join in. Your willingness to get involved is a great way
to get noticed and to add value.
You can also find ways to challenge and improve yourself. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and
keeping your skill set up to date will show that you are adaptable and responsive to change.
And, finally, don't be shy! Make sure that managers know about the steps you're taking to add value
to your role. Develop your personal brand, and use your one-on-ones and performance appraisals to
highlight the positive changes that you've made.
Warning:
"Going the extra mile" can be a great way to add value, but beware of taking on more than you
can handle. Doing so could affect the quality of your work, damage your reputation, and lead
to "collaboration overload." Read our article, "Yes" to the Person, "No" to the Task, for more
advice on negotiating your workload.
Key Points
Organizations thrive when employees are committed and engaged. And, when you add value
to your role, you increase your worth to your company.
This can improve your job security and promotion prospects, boost your confidence, and give
you greater job satisfaction.
There are three ways to add value to your role:
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1. Increase Revenue
• Extend your network.
• Build a positive reputation.
• Look for opportunities to innovate.
• Be a brand advocate.
2. Reduce Costs
• Identify cost savings.
• Streamline your processes.
• Audit your skills.
• Encourage learning.
3. Look Beyond the Bottom Line
• Align your tasks with organizational objectives.
• Use your initiative.
• Challenge and improve yourself.
• Make your achievements known.
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