Crystal Reports Administration:
Getting recognition for the quality of your reports

You surely know at least a few--and probably many--highly competent people who've been laid off, denied a promotion, or denied a raise. While there is no sure-fire way to become layoff-proof, ensure a promotion, or ensure a raise, there are ways you can use your technical competence as an advantage toward meeting those goals.

Very few people understand a basic fact of employment: The decision-makers above you rarely know what you do and seldom know the value of it. What follows here are some ways to remedy that situation. You may use all or some of these. In all cases, take into account the culture of your organization and the personalities involved--you may need to modify these pointers a bit.

Hold short individual meetings

Identify the power players who get your reports. For each one, set up a short informational meeting--one on one. Your real goal is to make this person aware of you and your helpfulness. Your stated goal is to take 15 minutes to assess that person's needs. If you can make the meeting ad hoc and unannounced, you will have better success than if you schedule something (because you won't show up as a time burden in the schedule).

Plan this meeting. Define 4 or 5 things you want to cover, and keep the meeting short. For example, you may want to poke your head into the Marketing VP's office and say, "I'm assessing the value and usability of Crystal Reports, and didn't want to leave you uncovered. I have only 4 items to cover, and this won't take long. Should I come back, or can you  spare a few minutes now?"

Then, address things like format, type of information, arrangement on the page, and distribution. If you see this is going past 15 minutes, say something like, "I told you only 15 minutes, and we are clearly going to run over. Can we set up a time where we can address these things in more detail? Maybe you can mark up a printout and I can come back with a revision?"

Send Tip of the Week e-mails to users

Sending a short tip each week keeps you in the minds of users, without your becoming a nuisance. The tip itself establishes you as an expert. The mere contact establishes you as a team player. Be sure to provide an "opt out" address in the e-mail. And, be sure to limit it to one tip so it's no burden to read.

Monetize your projects

If you've done a Crystal Reports project that saves the company money or helps it increase revenue,  assign a dollar figure to this. Then, e-mail your boss' boss with the news--being sure to cc: your boss. Say something like, "Our team has been able to produce an estimated savings of $150,000 a year by using the cViewMANAGER product. I wanted to let you know about this and also thank (name of boss) for supporting me in this effort."

If you haven't done such a project, you need to try to get such a project approved--that way, you do have something to brag about.

Why notify your boss' boss? Because this is usually the person who actually makes the decisions about your job. You cc: your boss and give your boss a plug to avoid being seen as someone trying to bypass your boss. Always give the team the credit. You will still, by association, get the real credit.

Find and fill a need

Identify folks who are "players." Pick one, and start developing a relationship. Doing this should come naturally--just strike up a conversation that begins with something you know interests that person. You can usually find clues in someone's office. After a few of these conversations, topics will invariably turn to work and what's wrong with this or that process in the company (make sure it does). But, don't disparage the company. Explore how you might offer a solution. Then, see if you can enlist your new friend's help in getting something started. Maybe this person can get you in front of the right decision-maker, or maybe this person would even like to work with you.

What you are doing here is going beyond your job description. Instead of being a passive worker who responds like a machine, you are taking an active interest in the company. Make no mistake--that goes over very, very well.

Pass along endorsements

You may have a customer or end-user who expresses some kind of positive appreciation for your work. If so, pass that on to your boss' boss (and cc: your boss), with a short intro like, "It's nice our team is getting noticed!"

Trade endorsements

If you don't have an endorsement to pass along, change that situation! Here's how. Offer to exchange endorsements. Let the other party know you feel s/he deserves recognition, and ask what kind of notable you might pass along to his/her boss. Then, let this person know of something you'd like recognition for. Each of you toots the horn of the other. In addition to getting your horn tooted by a third party (works better than doing it yourself), you make a valuable good impression on the higher-ups the other party works for.

Remember the situation

The worst thing you can do for your career is bury yourself in the technical details and neglect letting others know of your contributions. Not only does this penalize you, but if you are good it also penalizes your employer or client. So, take advantage of opportunities to do some PR work for yourself. If you don't see such opportunities, make them. Do keep in mind there is a big difference between being visible and being obnoxious. Don't brag, just inform.