Negotiating a better salary is at the forefront of many workers’ minds. In fact, nearly 40% of the workforce feels like they are underpaid for their job. However, nearly 37% of those same people refrain from asking for a raise out of fear. At some point in your career, you may feel like the value of your work is not reflected in your compensation. When this time comes, it’s important to know how to approach the subject objectively, and understand how to effectively negotiate for a higher salary. Don’t let the fear of negotiating hold you back from reaching your full potential. Instead, build evidence for your case and learn how to negotiate with confidence with the following tips. 

Know Your Market Value

The first step in getting paid what you are worth is to figure out your real market value. In other words, you need to find out what other people are getting paid for similar jobs. You can visit sites such as indeed.com or payscale.com to get a general idea of what someone with your experience, knowledge, and skillset is getting paid. Be sure to take things like geographic location and cost of living for your area into consideration. Now, look at this range as a starting point, and then consider your own experience and any additional skills that may add value to this number. If you walk into a negotiation without this information, you are at the mercy of your supervisor. 

Be Prepared to Show Evidence

It’s not enough to simply walk in and ask for a higher salary. You need to be able to demonstrate why you deserve it. In order to build your case, you will need evidence and examples of the value you bring to the table. Show how you contribute to the bottom line with concrete examples throughout your career, including in your current role. Share specific examples of how you have achieved driving revenue, savings, or increased efficiency within your role. This is also a good time to share awards, achievements, or accolades that you have received, as well as any special training or certifications you hold. 

Offer a Range Rather than a Specific Number

When discussing salary, it’s always better to have a range in mind as opposed to a fixed number. Having a range helps you negotiate and find compromise more easily. That said, make sure your range is a bit higher than you would expect, allowing your supervisor room to come down. Otherwise, they may offer the lowest end of the range which is below your expectations. 

Make the First Offer

While this is often up for debate, making the first offer puts the power in your hands. Otherwise, you risk your employer suggesting a number that is far below your expectations. All too often, supervisors will throw out a number just to see if you will take it, and then it can be uncomfortable to ask for a higher salary. You can avoid this by making the first offer yourself. 

Be Confident in Your Delivery

It is so important to maintain confidence throughout the negotiation process. Bring your game face and don’t sell yourself short. Bringing confidence lets your employer know that they are serious and it is more impressive than demonstrating fear or nervousness. The worst-case scenario is being told no, so you really have nothing to lose by asking for what you want with confidence. In addition, if the employer isn’t willing to increase your salary, you might consider other perks instead. If they aren’t willing to meet you in any of these negotiations, it might be worth moving on. After all, an employer that won’t pay you fair market for your skills is likely to undervalue you in other ways as well. 

Every organization wants to hire employees who will drive their business toward success. In today’s competitive market, however, attracting top talent requires much more than an enticing job advertisement. Companies have to rethink their marketing efforts and come up with creative ways to make sure their brand stands out from the crowd. While it may seem like money is the simple way to attract the best talent, that’s not always the case. Today’s professionals are looking for more than just a generous paycheck. In today’s business world, everything matters…whether it’s tangible or intangible. In this competitive and crowded market, it’s becoming increasingly critical for employers to make sure they get noticed. Here are some things you can do to attract top talent for your company. 

Define Your Brand

Your brand is the driving force behind the success of your hiring efforts. This is how you communicate your unique worth and value to your customers and employees. Therefore, it’s important to showcase the very best your company has to offer. This includes why your company is important to the community, what its key values are, why your employees choose to work for you and what qualities make your brand unique. Having a well-defined brand will help you attract strong, talented candidates who are eager to work for a company that aligns with their own values. 

Foster a Positive Company Culture

Your company culture should be a reflection of your organization’s core mission, vision, and values. When someone asks your employees what it’s really like to work at your company, what will they say? Will they speak positively about your company leaders as role models? Do your employees feel valued and appreciated for their contributions? Does your company challenge them to strengthen their skillset and advance professionally? Do they feel accepted and welcome in the workplace? If you create a culture where employees feel happy and engaged, this will attract other talented employees who want to be part of your culture. 

Pay Well

While money may not be everything, it is a very important something. Remember that your employees are trying to make a living and at the end of the day, a decent paycheck never hurts. In addition, a well-compensated employee is more likely to stay in their job long term, which can be very important for the overall success of your company. When employees are paid well, they also feel appreciated for their hard work and this motivates them to continue pursuing excellence. 

Analyse Your EVP (Employee Value Proposition)

Your EVP includes the list of incentives and benefits that you offer your employees in addition to their salary. This may include bonus systems, flexible working schedules, employee discounts, paid vacation, additional family leave, staff socials, and club memberships. Today’s employees are looking beyond the paycheck for jobs that have lucrative benefits. By adapting your EVP to suit these wants, you increase your chances of attracting talented candidates. 

Offer Career Progression

Highly talented professionals want to be part of an organization that they can grow with which is why the opportunity for career progression is one of the most important aspects of the candidate’s decision. These candidates are thinking about the long-term so companies should focus on implementing a training program that includes professional development and advanced educational opportunities. You will have a better chance of recruiting top talent if they know there are opportunities for advancement in your company. 

Develop Employee Ambassadors

What better way is there to entice talent than by using your own employees? Your own employees are the best ambassadors of your company and they can be a powerful tool in attracting talent. After all, prospective employees look to the current employees to get an idea of how your company actually operates. Designate engaging and committed employees to be your ambassadors so they can share your company mission, values, and culture with prospective employees. With a little training, these brand ambassadors can recruit top talent and reach candidates you may not have otherwise been able to access.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of new businesses fail within the first two years and nearly half of them don’t survive past the fifth year. This begs the question, “How can you make sure your business is a success?” The fact is, starting a business is never easy and entrepreneurs are bound to make mistakes along the way. Unfortunately, some of these mistakes can end up being the demise of your business. Here we will take a look at seven of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make so you can avoid them and keep your business moving in the right direction. 

1. Hiding from Problems

Things are going to go wrong from time to time and when they do, you should never hide from them. It is imperative that you address any problems head on and seek a solution right away. If you pretend nothing is wrong, you will continue to dig a deeper hole until you are in so deep that it’s difficult or even impossible to get out. It’s only when you face problems that you can find solutions. 

2. Not Creating a Budget

Dealing with your finances should be at the forefront of your business plan. You should be able to account for every dollar that is spent on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You must have a clearly defined budget so you can plan for all expenses. Furthermore, once you establish a budget, you must stick to it. A realistic budget will help keep your business healthy and sustainable.

3.  Having High Fixed Costs

Your fixed costs are your expenses that you owe every month such as rent, salaries, and cost of supplies. If you have high fixed costs and not enough customers, you will quickly find yourself in debt. Think carefully about what expenses you really need and make wise choices. For example, you may need an office to operate your business but you don’t need to rent prime real estate. On the other hand, be deliberate about investing wisely in things that do matter such as paying higher salaries for more qualified employees. 

4. Failing to Stay Organized

Running a business can be crazy and chaotic at times. After all, there are dozens of things happening at the same time. Therefore, it is critical that you have an organizational system to help you keep track of your daily operations. You should have a clear understanding of exactly what is happening each day and what needs to be accomplished each day. If you fail to stay organized, you will quickly lose control of your business. 

5. Failing to Understand Your Target Audience

A common mistake entrepreneurs make is not taking the time to really learn and understand their market and what customers are looking for. It’s important to remember that a great product doesn’t necessarily translate into a successful business. You have to be able to recognize the needs and wants of your target audience and market your product successfully to this group. Therefore, test your products and services before starting your business. If you don’t, you have no idea whether or not people will want to buy it. 

6. Ignoring Your Competitors

Ignoring your competitors can be a fatal mistake. You have to be aware of your competition and how your business compares or you are surely going to fail. For instance, if you are selling your product for $10 and a business down the street is selling something similar for $6, which one do you think people will buy? This is a basic example, but it demonstrates that you must be knowledgeable about your competitors’ pricing, marketing strategies, employment opportunities, and overall product performance if you want to succeed at selling your product. 

7. Not Investing in Marketing

We have heard the saying, “Build it and they will come” but this isn’t accurate when it comes to running a successful business. Without effective marketing, no one will know where to come or why. All too often small businesses are reluctant to spend money on marketing because they are trying to prioritize their spending. However, a marketing strategy should be one of the main areas that a business does invest in. It is important to develop a marketing plan that encompasses a variety of platforms including email marketing, social media, advertising on TV or in magazines, and also advertising in person at various events. In order to be successful, you have to build your brand awareness through a marketing plan. 

Negotiating a contract with a vendor can be even more difficult than making the deal in the first place. It requires a different strategy altogether. That’s because getting a company to agree to use your products and services is only half the battle. Once you have convinced them to work with you, you may still have to negotiate the terms of the contract. Small businesses, especially, may lack the funds and resources of a large operation and must therefore master the art of successfully negotiating with vendors. They must find a way to source their supplies while also gaining maximum revenue. This requires ingenuity, flexibility, and the art of successful negotiations. You may not be able to control every aspect of pricing with your vendors, but you can increase profit margins by strengthening your supplier relationships. Consider the following tips for negotiating the best rates with your vendors. 

Sell Yourself as Someone Valuable 

Vendors are just like any other business- they want to sell as much of their product or service as possible. When negotiating a price with your vendors, let them know that you plan to be a repeat customer who will be bringing regular business their way over the long term. Give them an idea of how much you plan to purchase from them and projections for long term purchasing. This can give you some leverage to negotiate better pricing. 

Think Beyond Price Alone

If the supplier is unable to budge on price, you can still negotiate other things that can help lower your overall expenses. For example, you might be able to negotiate a lower down payment, a discount for purchasing in bulk, or free shipping costs. You can sometimes even receive a discount for early payment. Take some time to think outside the box and consider all of the terms before agreeing to a price. 

Define Your Priorities

It’s essential to write down a list of what is most important to you prior to negotiating with your vendor. This will help you set clear goals and devise a strategy for meeting those goals. A few things to consider are price, delivery time, payment terms, shipping costs, maintenance agreements, and value for the money. Before you negotiate, draw up a detailed plan of which items are most important to you. 

Don’t Accept the First Offer

You should never accept the first offer, but rather make a low counter offer in return. The other party will likely come back with a revised number. You also want to ask about additional costs such as repairs, maintenance, shipping, expedited delivery, etc. This is the time to use your bargaining power. For instance, try asking for bulk discounts if you are a large buyer. You can also tell the vendor you need time to look over the contract and you will get back to them. Never allow yourself to be pressured into making a quick decision. 

Be an Easy Customer

At the end of the day, sometimes it all comes down to relationships. Regardless of how much business you can give your supplier, they won’t want to work with you if you are a problem. It’s important to be considerate of their needs as well and seek mutually beneficial agreements so you can maintain a good supplier relationship. If you treat the relationship like a partnership, it can really pay off for you in the long run. 

While it may be every manager’s dream to wake up each morning and find their team eager, energized, and completely focused on their day ahead, this is simply not realistic. The truth is, it takes a lot of thought and effort to keep employees motivated and engaged. That said, employee engagement is one of the key factors to running a successful business. Employees that are engaged are happier in their jobs which leads to increased productivity. Research has clearly shown that employees that are engaged in the workplace have a greater likelihood of sticking around for the long haul. Therefore, it is critical that managers find creative ways to keep their employees motivated and engaged. Here are some tips that will help you master employee engagement within your organization. 

Get to Know Them Personally

This sounds simple and it is! Spending time with your employees and getting to know them is a simple yet effective way to keep them engaged. It is important that you see your employees as more than just a number or what they bring to the table. Take the time to learn more about their families, hobbies, interests, backgrounds, and personal goals. This will help you build a strong rapport with them and it lets them know you care about them as an individual. 

Provide Them with the Tools to Succeed

As a manager it is your job to oversee the daily operations within your team. However, it is also your job to make sure your employees have the tools and resources they need to succeed. For starters, ensure they have adequate training so they feel confident in what they are doing. Be willing to provide additional training and coaching as needed. Furthermore, invest in their potential by providing opportunities for professional development. This will give them the foundation they need to continue growing. 

Recognize and Reward Your Employees

If employees don’t feel appreciated for their hard work, it’s unlikely that they will be motivated to be more productive. A lack of recognition will undoubtedly lead to disengagement. Therefore, take the time to recognize and reward your employees for their efforts. This is one of the most motivating things a manager can do, and oftentimes it doesn’t cost a thing. A simple “thank you for your hard work,” an email, or verbal recognition during a team meeting can go a long way in making employees feel valued and appreciated. You can also take it a step further and offer incentives for excellent performance. Recognition helps to foster a positive culture in the workplace which is a key factor in elevating engagement. 

Provide Regular Feedback

It’s important to check in with your employees on a regular basis and provide feedback. One of the best ways to do this is by scheduling one-on-one meetings to discuss challenges, successes, priorities, responsibilities, and professional development. This is a great way to provide constructive feedback or to offer support to employees. Your employees want to know how they are doing and regular check-ins are essential for keeping those lines of communication open. 

Offer Flexible Scheduling

Today’s workforce is far more inclined to choose a job that offers some degree of flexibility. Employees want a healthy work/life balance and gone are the days of spending 40 hours a week sitting in an office. A great way to increase productivity and engagement is to offer flexible work schedules. Give employees the opportunity to work remotely, take more personal time, and reduce their hours in the office. Employees who have more freedom and flexibility with their work schedule are more likely to have greater job satisfaction than those with a rigid schedule. Furthermore, such flexibility empowers employees to work more efficiently on their own schedule, which can actually lead to greater productivity.

Blend Work and Fun

A job that is all work and no play is not going to be enticing to anyone. Oftentimes employees disengage because of the monotony of their job. Shake things up a little bit and give your employees something to look forward to. It can be something as simple as casual Friday, themed dress-up days, pot-luck lunches, or even catered breakfast once a month. You might even schedule out of work team building activities. When you give your employees a break and allow them to do something fun for a change, it can make their job more enjoyable and ultimately increase their engagement.

Success and good habits often go hand in hand, and this is especially true for business owners. That’s because business owners understand the importance of being consistent and focusing on every detail to get the most out of each day. They are intentional about everything they do and they make sure their habits push them to be productive. While some habits come naturally, others must be learned and acquired. Either way, these habits are essential to the survival of your business. Below are just some of the habits you will notice in most successful business owners. 

1. They Read

Owning a business is undoubtedly one of the most hectic and stressful jobs so it seems like reading would be put on the back burner. However, reading is critical because it helps you to build knowledge about your business’s industry and stay on top of current trends. In fact, Warren Buffet dedicated nearly 80% of his day to reading because he saw how valuable it could be. In addition to compounding knowledge, reading can also be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. 

2. They Plan for the Future

Starting a business can be an exciting time and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of seeing this business become a reality. However, successful business owners think about the future and how they plan to grow their business. They create a financial plan that will carry them through those first few years and they also have a well-organized plan for emergencies, both big and small. They also create a plan for future heirs, employees, and stakeholders so they can ensure their business thrives even without their involvement. 

3. They Prepare for Each Day in Advance

Effective business owners don’t walk into the office each morning wondering what will be on the to-do list for that day. Rather, they prepare in advance for the days ahead. They have a nightly habit of preparing the next day’s tasks, goals, schedule, and any meetings or calls. They go to bed each night well-prepared for the day ahead. Not only does this make them more relaxed and confident, but it also makes them more productive because they aren’t wasting precious time figuring out what to do next.

4. They Exercise

Exercise is extremely important for both physical and mental wellness. Starting your day with exercise can enhance creativity, memory, and cognitive skills. Furthermore, exercise releases endorphins that can help you feel happier and cultivate a positive attitude. Many business owners have made morning exercise a part of their daily routine so they can feel energized and rejuvenated as they begin each day. 

5. Practice Integrity

It all goes back to the “Golden Rule”- treat others the way you want to be treated. Honesty and integrity are two of the most important assets of a successful business owner. Showing integrity helps to build better relationships with employees and customers, but it also keeps business owners grounded and reinforces their personal values and beliefs. Integrity is the secret to sustainable partnerships and long-term success. 

6. Saying Thank-You

Running a business is hectic and it’s easy to get caught up in the daily operations of the business. On that same note, when business owners work with high-performing teams, they recognize the value they bring to the table and they don’t forget to acknowledge that. A simple “Thank-You” can go a long way in fostering strong professional relationships and it helps to build a culture of gratitude. 

7. They Delegate

There are a million things you want to accomplish each day but this is not the job of one person. Multi-tasking can be extremely inefficient and can lead to stress and frustration. Instead, successful business owners trust their employees to take on tasks and responsibilities. Not only does this empower employees, but it frees up their time for more important tasks. 

8. Balance Work/Life

Owning a business can consume one’s time and energy and can easily take over their life. Successful business owners understand the importance of separating work and life and freeing up time for personal enjoyment. They set aside time each week for breaks and are intentional about stepping away from work to clear their mind and unplug from the hustle and bustle.

9. They Network

Business owners know they can’t do it alone so they build relationships to create a powerful network. They cultivate relationships with peers, mentors, and advisors who can provide support and assist when needed. Networking can help a business to grow exponentially.

10. Stay Positive

There’s something to be said for the power of positive thinking, but maintaining that energetic spirit isn’t always easy. It can be especially difficult when in the midst of chaos or when things aren’t going well. Nonetheless, successful business owners are intentional about focusing on the positive. This empowers them to have a better outlook on life which leads to greater productivity and increased success.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, it should come as no surprise that employee burnout is a major problem. Many professionals feel overwhelmed by competing demands, intense deadline pressures, and overwhelming expectations. Add to that the fact that technology has made it nearly impossible to set boundaries between home and work life. The fact is, long hours and increased workload can cause exhaustion, lack of concentration, increased stress levels, and overall health problems. All of these are signs of burnout at work. 

The impact of burnout on organizations can be significant. Burnout in the business world can result in lower productivity, higher employee turnover, and decreased engagement. The good news, however, is that there are things that can be done to recharge employees and prevent burnout in the workplace. Here are a few strategies for dealing with burnout in the workplace. 

1.Create Realistic Goals and Expectations

When employees are met with incredible challenges and unrealistic expectations, they are likely to feel defeated, discouraged, and frustrated. It’s important that managers set realistic and achievable goals so that employees can feel like they are making progress. This might equate to breaking up large projects into smaller tasks or allowing more time to complete assignments. Doing so will allow employees to see measurable results and this will motivate them to keep going. 

2. Promote a Healthy Work/Life Balance

It is important for businesses to set clear boundaries regarding their employees’ work/life balance. Promote a healthy balance by discouraging employees from working extremely long hours. Shut the business down early for holidays and give employees plenty of time to spend with family. Encourage employees to take time off when needed to attend family events or personal obligations. Make sure employees know that their personal life is important and you respect those boundaries.

3. Make Well-Being a Priority

When an organization makes employee well-being a priority, it encourages them to lead healthy personal lives as well as meaningful work lives. Support employees by offering wellness programs such as a weekly yoga class or a meditation hour. Designation a quiet space in the office where employees can go to relax and decompress. You can also motivate employees to exercise by offering employee memberships to a wellness club. Consider keeping healthy snacks in the breakroom and allowing employees to take fresh air breaks. All of these actions support a culture of wellness. 

4.Create Social Opportunities

Many of today’s employees work from home, which can make it difficult for them to know when their work day stops. Furthermore, employees lack the ability to communicate with their colleagues which can leave them feeling isolated. While virtual offices certainly have their advantages, they can also present new challenges. It’s important to be proactive and look for ways to prevent feelings of burnout and isolation. One way to do this is by creating opportunities for employees to socialize. These can be virtual meetings or social outings where employees have a chance to engage with fellow coworkers. This helps to create a deeper sense of community and prevents employees from experiencing burnout. 

5. Take Breaks

Encourage employees to leave an hour early on a stressful day. Allow them to come in late after a long night. Reward hard work with an extra vacation day. Schedule a team lunch or happy hour. These are all great ways to take a break from the daily grind of work life. Taking breaks is a great way to rejuvenate and refresh as a team in order to prevent work burnout.

Employee reviews, project planning, vendor selection, and spending budgets are all part of a leader’s list of responsibilities, but these situations also call for negotiation. That means business leaders will be involved in negotiations on a regular basis. Whether they are a CEO or a department manager, all leaders who want to be successful need to develop the mindset of a skilled negotiator. Let’s take a look at why understanding the art of negotiation will help any business leader. 

Strong Negotiation Skills Build Better Relationships

It is so important for leaders to remember that they are negotiating a relationship, not a transaction. The most successful leaders understand this principle and enter into a negotiation seeking a win-win solution. If they simply look at negotiations as a means for getting what they want, they will create friction among partners and this could damage the relationship. Conversely, seeking to understand the needs of another and working collaboratively to reach amicable solutions not only help deals get done, but it creates a foundation for stronger and longer lasting relationships. 

It Increases the Likelihood of Success

When a leader is a skilled negotiator, they increase their chances of winning. Therefore, leaders must learn to identify their desired outcome, understand the point at which they cannot compromise, and seek to find alternative solutions. By acquiring these skills, leaders will increase the likelihood of success for themselves and their company. 

Effectively Manage Conflict

In addition to making important decisions, leaders must also be ready to handle conflict when it arises. Conflict management negotiation strategies are an important part of strengthening relationships within the workplace. When there is a problem between two parties, leaders must be able to negotiate solutions that can provide a favorable outcome for everyone involved. Through good communication and negotiation skills, leaders can plan responses and find solutions to quickly resolve conflict. 

Divide Tasks and Resources More Effectively

Another important responsibility for leaders is learning to delegate effectively. Leaders that can negotiate will be able to assign tasks and complete projects in a timely manner. Likewise, leaders need to be able to make decisions about appropriately reallocating resources. Leaders may have to give or take resources from somewhere else in order to achieve their goals. A leader with strong negotiation skills will be able to do this in a way that satisfies all parties without making anyone feel less valuable. 

Their Actions Set an Example

People look up to a leader who can negotiate effectively with others. When they see their leader seek to make decisions that unite rather than tear people apart, they will follow suit. When leaders set a good example of being a strong and successful negotiator, those under them will also seek to polish their own skills so they, too, can be more successful. 

Negotiation is an important part of doing business in any industry. In fact, it’s not a matter of whether or not you will negotiate but rather how well you negotiate. No matter your industry or your position, you are bound to go through some sort of negotiation every day. From promoting a new product to a customer to negotiating a raise, every professional will find themselves negotiating at some point in their career. That’s why you’ll want to be equipped with the right strategies to help you land a better deal. The secret to achieving a positive outcome is the combination of thorough preparation and utilizing some of the most effective negotiation strategies. Here are some essential negotiating strategies that can help you succeed in a variety of business interactions. 

Do Your Research

One of the most important steps happens well before you sit down at the negotiating table: research. When you walk into a negotiation, you should already know as much as possible about the other party. What are their objectives? What are their values? How eager are they to reach a deal? This not only helps you to build a relationship with your counterpart, but it also arms you with the knowledge you need to approach the negotiation in the most advantageous way. 

Listen to the Other Party

All too often people spend a great deal of time preparing what they will say during negotiations and they fail to realize that listening is more powerful than speaking. Be prepared to actively listen to the other party so you can gain an understanding of what is most important to them. Not only will listening empower you with pertinent information, but it will make the other party feel like you genuinely care about satisfying their needs. 

Know Your Goals as Well

Not only is it important to learn what goals are important to your counterpart, but you also need to define your own goals as well. Prior to entering into discussions, think about what is most important to you and what you hope to achieve as a result of the negotiation. This will help you stay on track and work toward a mutually beneficial agreement.

Prepare Your Concessions Ahead of Time

Negotiations are all about give and take so it’s expected that both parties will make some concessions before reaching an agreement. That said, you don’t want to make concessions right there on the spot without giving them any thought. Otherwise you might end up conceding too much too soon. It is important to prioritize your concessions ahead of time so you can slowly concede as needed. Also, make sure that for every concession you make you get something in return. 

Identify Their Pressure Points

People naturally bow to pressures. Whether you’re a purchasing manager on a tight budget, a salesman trying to meet a quota, or a project manager facing a deadline, you have certain pressures to keep in mind and you know it. Now, as a negotiator it is important to look for these pressure points in your counterpart and use that to your advantage to forge a better deal and create a win-win solution for both parties. 

Work Toward a Win-Win Situation

A successful negotiation ends with both parties leaving the table feeling like they got a win. Rather than approaching the negotiation with a win-lose mentality, effective negotiators know the value of problem solving in order to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. It’s always best to propose solutions that address the needs of both parties, as this will lead to a better outcome and a stronger foundation for future negotiations. 

When it comes to negotiating professional perks most people assume that includes salary, vacation days, flexible work schedules, and stock options. However, one perk many people don’t think about is negotiating for a bigger or better office space. For many people, having plenty of space to organize their things can make them more efficient and productive workers. After all, there’s nothing as disruptive as piles of clutter and a disorganized work environment. Working in a private and more spacious office can improve your productivity and can ultimately be more beneficial for you and your company. When it comes time to negotiate better perks for your position, don’t be afraid to start by asking for a bigger office. Here are some tips for approaching your boss about improving your office setup. 

Explain Your Dilemma

When you approach your boss to ask for a bigger office, you need to have a reason why this is so important. Provide a general overview of the issues you are currently experiencing such as lack of space to organize paperwork and files or difficulty concentrating in a cubicle with other workers so close. Describe the impact this bad working office space has had on your productivity and ability to reach your company goals. Make sure your boss is aware that your sole purpose for wanting a bigger office is to improve productivity and efficiency in order to become a more valuable asset. 

Describe Your Idea and Possible Solution

Explain to your boss that you have put a lot of thought into this issue to try and resolve these problems and you think the best solution is moving into a bigger office. Be clear that you have considered the pros and cons as well as some alternative options and be prepared to give your opinion on these. Finally, offer to help move furniture, set up your own computer, and do whatever else is necessary to minimize the workload for transferring spaces. 

Discuss the Benefits

If you focus the conversation on the benefits of your idea, you are more likely to succeed in getting what you want. Use concrete examples to back up your ideas including increased productivity and efficiency. When you have more space to organize all of your work related belongings, you will feel less stressed and overwhelmed and more prepared to conquer your daily tasks. You will also have fewer distractions which translate into better performance throughout the workday. In addition, since you will be spending less time looking for misplaced documents, you can focus more of your attention on collaborating on important projects. 

Know Your Value and How This Relates

Finally, be prepared to brag on yourself a little bit. Share some of your most recent accomplishments such as a successful project you worked on, a presentation you delivered, or a new client that you brought on. Be prepared to show tangible examples of these successes so that your manager can see how valuable you are to the team. Let them know that you can bring even more value given the right working conditions. If your boss sees what an asset you are to the company, they are more likely to meet your needs in order to help you succeed.