Do you have a strategy to distinguish yourself in your
career and stand out from the crowd?

In today's competitive career environment,
distinguishing yourself from everyone else isn't
optional; it's essential.

Fair or unfair, in business, perceptions are reality.
Advancing rapidly in your career depends more on having
others perceive you as a unique high performer, than it
does on your qualifications, knowledge, or experience.

The good news is there are many things you can do to stand
out from the crowd and position yourself as a winner. Here
are some ideas you can get started on today!

1. BECOME AN EXPERT - There's no question that, in
every field, specialists earn more than generalists. To
stand out from the crowd, and increase your value to your
company, you need to identify yourself as an expert in a
specific area.

Instead of continuing to build broad knowledge in your
field, focus on finding a narrow niche that's
important to your company, and develop your expertise a
mile deep. Read everything you can on your subject. Attend
conferences. Get to know the established experts. Become
the obvious person to turn to in your company when it comes
to your chosen subject.

2. INNOVATE! - You don't have to be in R&D to
innovate. In today's business environment,
innovations can come from anywhere. Develop a new
spreadsheet, checklist, or quality improvement plan that
makes your work easier or your results better. When
higher-ups compliment you on your productivity, talk about
your innovation and offer to share it with others.

3. BECOME A CUSTOMER EXPERT - Regardless what your job is,
go out of your way to get in contact with customers and
find out what they want. While it's often easier and
more comfortable to deal with internal functions, personal
relationships with customers set you apart from the crowd
and make you more valuable to your company.

Find out what customers like and don't like about
your current products. What problems do they think your
company should correct? What are their ideas for new
products or services? Put your findings in writing, and
make sure to get them in front of the people who count.

4. INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY WITHIN YOUR COMPANY -
Promotions, raises, and coveted assignments frequently go
to the most visible people. Increase your visibility by
speaking at company or industry meetings. Write articles
for the company newsletter or industry trade journal. Look
for opportunities to become known to people in the power
structure who can help you advance rapidly.

5. BRANCH OUT - Get involved in community or association
projects. Volunteer for a leadership position in a
professional or volunteer organization. These groups often
offer you opportunities to expand your network of
influence, both inside and outside your industry.

6. CREATE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES - While doing what's
expected in your job may earn you some praise, going the
extra mile to identify ways to contribute to your company
will make your superiors really sit up and take notice.

Pay attention to what's going on around you. Stay
alert to the needs and challenges of your company and your
industry. When you see an overlooked area, or an emerging
market, create your own opportunity by writing up a
proposal and description of your ideas.

7. DEVELOP YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS - In business,
meetings and presentations are the primary stage on which
you perform. Seize opportunities to speak in front of
others, particularly senior managers. There's nothing
like being a powerful, effective and willing speaker to
label you as someone to watch.

Standing out from the crowd doesn't depend on luck or
talent. It requires strategic planning and persistence, but
the results - in the form of promotions, raises, and
important career-accelerating assignments - make the effort
well worth it.

When you follow these 7 steps, you will become known as the
go-to guy or gal in your field. The better known you are,
the more others will trust and depend on you, and the more
rapidly you will advance in your career.

About the Author:

Dr. Robert Karlsberg & Dr. Jane Adler are leading experts
in career and business performance and authors of How to
Become a Rising Star in Your Career in 60 Days or Less. If
you're ready to move to the top in your career, visit
http://www.StarIn60.com for more tips, and a copy of The
New Route to the Top: What it Really Takes to Succeed in
Today's Organization.