Selling your ideas.(EXTRA CREDIT)

Whether we believe it or not, we are all in the sales business. Regardless of what we do for a living, in one way or another we are always selling ourselves, and our ideas, to other people. When it comes to problem solving, improving the workplace, and enhancing customer service, this ability becomes crucial.

While employees at all levels have good ideas for how to drive the business to greater success, management often seems to be hard of hearing. Why? Because most employees don't know how to articulate the problem well enough to identify its cause or get the resources and support they need to resolve it.

Essentially, most employees don't know how to sell their ideas to the decision makers who have the power to buy. The good news is that learning how to sell your ideas can be an exciting six-step process that can boost your career and benefit your organization.

1) Lay the Foundation

When you send an e-mail, answer a call or attend a meeting, you are selling yourself. Every interaction makes an impression. If you want people to be attracted to your ideas, you've got to be perceived as positive, open minded and trustworthy.

When day-to-day problems arise, offer to help where you can. If you show initiative, instead of complaining or criticizing, you'll earn the reputation of being someone who can make a difference.

2) Define the Opportunity/Problem