7 Ways To Increase Your Earning Potential

When we enter into the professional business world, we usually have to start at the bottom rung of the ladder and work our way up.

This also usually means that our monetary value as an employee is hindered by the fact that the work we do is something several people are capable of. It can often take some time to make a company realize that there is a value to having you onboard and that your experience and knowledge in the industry is better than most. In order to up the ante of our worth we need to convey to the higher ups that we are a valuable asset to the company. Here are 7 ways to increase your earning potential.

1. Directly drive revenue – if you can find new resources for driving revenue that the company has yet to think of, you may in fact move to the head of the class a lot faster than usual. Look at the work your currently doing and see how you can improve upon the services the company already offers.
2. Catch vital mistakes – Every company has errors within their financial reports. Most of these are miniscule, but if you can catch something that several people above you have missed, you become that much more valuable to the company. Thoroughly check any work that comes through you, and politely question anything you see as an error.
3. Take educational classes – Educational resources are usually readily available from most companies, and they’ll happily pay your tuition to learn something new if it benefits the company. The end result is a higher salary and an upper hand in that promotion you long for.
4. Work properly and quickly – If you have the potential to get more done in a shorter amount of time than your co-workers, do so. Provided your work doesn’t get sloppy, companies will value your work ethics and see it fit to give you a raise.
5. Keep communication lines open – Don’t keep to yourself at work. Keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and your manager makes you stick out, and keeps your name in the back of their head should an opening in a higher position come around.
6. Always be on time – Employees who are late, or use the maximum number of days off possible are often shunned out of raises. Being on time and staying for a full work day is an impressive trait that can earn you an extra 1%-2% bonus at the end of the year.
7. Save money – “A penny saved is a penny earned” holds especially true in the office. If you can save money for the company through new ways that haven’t been previously used, you can end up putting that money right back in your pocket. Companies love employees who save them a few bucks, and reward them handsomely over the long term.

Towanna Freeman is the founder of Black Life Coaches Network, the leading life coaching site that connects African-Americans who are seeking valuable life changing advice and strategies with practitioners who can deliver just that.