View Coaching
(Basic Level)
The Questions...
Can you describe your current challenge or opportunity and briefly explain how you got to this situation?
After my company of 35 employees was acquired, I was one of four people left behind to rebuild. It's been two years and there has been little progress toward the rebuilding process. All of the other people that were left behind have now gone on to other companies. My time is spent trying to manage an oversized client roster while maintaining the image that we are still the same size as before. I would like to put time into maketing and building, but the majority of my time is spent putting out fires. The president of the company "going forward Mr. Boss" divides his time between running this firm and the one that acquired the old piece. I need to have a plan on how I should approach him about plotting out our future. I don't want time to slip away and then when the move comes, I am to used up to be a part of it.
What's the real, underlying issue that you're most concerned about:
I'm concerned about all my extra effort being overlooked, especially since my increased workload and the the lack of insulating layers of management has caused my overall performance to not be at the standard under normal circumstances I attain. Mr Boss only comes into the office every other week or so and when he does there is ussually a complaint from someone that I am trying to resolve.
What would be your ideal outcome for this situation:
Some assurances from Mr. Boss that my effort is being acknowleged and that I will be rewarded when the time comes. Also that he understands many of the challenges are simply due to me not having the resources to get to everything. We are handling the same number of cases as pre sale with 1 of the staff.
What steps have you already taken to address the issue:
I started the conversation recently when I recieved a complaint from the pres that a client didn't recieve a call back. I explained how I have been left alone and am fighting everyday to maintain the image that we are the same as we were before the acquisition, but I need help.
The Response...
This sounds like both an exciting and frustrating opportunity for you. Good for you for taking the initiative to do something about.
I think there are a number of ways you can approach the situation. I do wonder though, if there is some concern that you have not raised. The reason I ask that two years is a long time to not have a plan to resolve this. Something to think about.
You are in an awesome position and the business may be more dependent on you than you think. It appears for at least some of the operations, nobody knows what you know. You've got to figure out a way to subletly get that point across. You may be more empowered than you think -- take some action right now to grow the business. Get some help from your friends or colleagues in other industries on how to grow the business.
A key question for you to answer is, How could you accomplish both goals of raising the awareness of what you've been doing, and at the same time share ideas on rebuilding the business? What have you learned over the years from the founder? Do that. How else could you better inform the "boss" about your abilities? How else?
Here are a couple of concrete options for you to consider:
-Do you have a job description? Has it been updated? If not, could you create one?
-Would you be willing to send an advanced email regarding your ideas and outline delicately a few of your concerns and then set up an in-person meeting?
-Is it at all possible to ask for part ownership (a piece of) in the business)? No, ask anyway.
-Is outsourcing an answer to off load some of your workload?
What can you do this week to at least get the ball rolling?
Good luck!
