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Creative Ways Your Boss Can Help You Build Your Business

Written by: Laurie Hayes

Article Overview: Can your boss help you build your home business? With a little creativity on your part and by ensuring your employer reaps rewards, a win-win situation can be created.

Creative Ways Your Boss Can Help You Build Your Business

One day as I was sitting at my desk working on an ugly homicide case, my mind drifted to my part-time business of selling candles. I wondered how I could make it a major player in my life so I wouldn't have to spend the next 20 years immersed in the dark side of humanity.

It was policy to have the police chief's written permission to carry on secondary employment or to own a business outside of the department, so although the chief knew who was making a living outside of the department, many of us did not know about our co-workers special skills and services.

As I allowed my mind to search for answers, an idea struck.

What if I were to create an inner-departmental products and services directory? It would spotlight the businesses and specialized skills of police personnel and allow us to deal with people we know and trust, support each other's businesses, and eliminate the burden of thumbing through the yellow pages hoping to find ethical, reliable business people.

I prepared a proposal for the chief and gained his full support. Immediately after getting the go ahead, I circulated a department-wide memorandum announcing the project and asked for submissions.

My phone started ringing and e-mail started whirling within minutes of the broadcast, and within a few short days I had a compendium of internal products and services for our members.

We had plumbers, electricians, construction workers, small engine repair, landscapers, mechanics, guitar instructors, home accessories, wood workers, bakers, bricklayers, personal trainers, photographers, palm readers, interior decorators and a host of other talents, products and services.

People came out of the woodwork sharing skills from previous jobs. We had access to resources right under our noses that we never knew existed.

The department benefited because employees no longer wasted company time rummaging through phone books or making numerous calls to find personal services and employees benefited by increasing their second incomes and growing their businesses.

When people needed gifts or candles, they came to me. They didn't have to waste time wandering through malls and the men no longer had to rack their brains trying to come up with the perfect gift for their wife. Life became easier and more profitable for everyone.

Several years later when I started my coaching practice, I approached the new chief with an idea that would benefit the members.

The computer network had been revamped and all outlying stations and the courthouse were now connected to main headquarters. We had a new desktop screen that was shared throughout.

I approached the chief with a proposal to have a new positive quote, affirmation or funny verse appear on the desktop every day. The intent was to create a smile or empowering thought for employees before they headed out into the "real world."

Again, the proposal was approved and employees welcomed the idea. I received thank you e-mail and phone calls, and on occasion an employee would write to share the impact a certain quote had on his or her day. One day the system didn't pick-up the programmed quote and a blank box appeared on the home page.

My phone began ringing because people were wondering what happened to their daily inspiration!

This creative idea benefited the department and also made the employees aware of my work in helping others shift perspectives. I gained several private coaching clients as a result.

I recently spoke with a former co-worker and she informed me the daily quotes continue to this day. Someone else took on the responsibility to make sure everyone receives their daily dose of inspiration. The news gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

I was fortunate to have bosses who were receptive to ideas and supportive of helping employees in unconventional ways.

An internal directory of services or a quote of the day may not be ideal for your workplace, however, what other creative ideas might create a win for you, your co-workers and your employer?

Although your job may be a thorn in your side at times, it may also provide you with the perfect opportunity to share your talents and to promote yourself in a subtle, non-obtrusive way.

Turn up your creative antennae and explore the possibilities. If you're still in your job even though you don't want to be, it may be there to serve you in a way you haven't considered.

2007 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source

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Article Tags: departmental products, employees



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Re: Great start, but no finish - My advise is FOCUS on your business. Focusing is the main factor to succeed on business. If you have a great idea, then follow it only, don't look anywhere else. It is especially essential in an online business. Because there are a lot of mind blowing sales letters promising millions dolllars or overnight success, people find it difficult to concentrate on one business and they lose their energy. Concept is simple. 1- Have a good idea; 2- Build your business on it; 3- Monetize your business; 4- Promote it; 5- Build list of responsive customers; 6- Maintain You Business. Focusing and not fearing from competition (instead you can learn from competitiors) are main tips of billionaires ,BTW. Orxan
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How do you know if you have a good idea? - [quote="orxan":3118uboz]My advise is FOCUS on your business. Focusing is the main factor to succeed on business. If you have a great idea, then follow it only, don't look anywhere else. It is especially essential in an online business. Because there are a lot of mind blowing sales letters promising millions dolllars or overnight success, people find it difficult to concentrate on one business and they lose their energy. Concept is simple. 1- Have a good idea; 2- Build your business on it; 3- Monetize your business; 4- Promote it; 5- Build list of responsive customers; 6- Maintain You Business. Focusing and not fearing from competition (instead you can learn from competitiors) are main tips of billionaires ,BTW. Orxan[/quote:3118uboz] Thanks orxan! But how do you know if you truly have a good idea or not? If we ask ourselves, we may be suffering from tunnel vision. On the other hand, friends/family may try to discourage us from pursuing a small business because of their own fears, while others will simply give us an empty "you can do it!" line.
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