Are you looking to climb the corporate ladder? Many people have the ambition to excel within their company but need a master plan to move forward. We have seven great tips to turn your career wishes into goals, and those goals into accomplishments. 1. Stay ahead of industry change “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” – Stephen Hawking Staying ahead of an industry that’s constantly changing can be challenging yet rewarding. Dynamic fields like financial services or finance can provide you with opportunity to prove yourself to your employer and colleagues. One of the best ways to stay ahead of the curb is to keep up to date with industry trends through further education. Undertaking a higher qualification will not only refresh what you already know, but will help you learn new skills and deepen your technical knowledge. Having the intelligence and resilience to adapt to change within your sector can indicate you have the potential to grow within your role. If you want to be able to become an expert in your field, do your homework and put in the extra hours to make sure you’re abreast of the latest insights and developments in your field. 2. Have a mentor, leader or aspiring individual “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” – John C. Crosby A mentor in your corner can help guide you in life, your career, and everything in between. Experienced individuals within your organisation should be treated as mentors and teachers for your career journey. Observe how they handle situations, follow their mindset and don’t be afraid to seek their advice. Mentorship can be a useful tool for getting ahead, acting as a rough guide for navigating the corporate landscape. The goal is not to copy your mentors but to learn from them, so you can one day be in a similar position for someone else. 3. Understand the value in having a strong network “Networking has been cited as the number one unwritten rule of success in business. Who you know really impacts what you know.” – Sallie Krawcheck No doubt you’ve heard the saying ‘it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know’. A strong network is beneficial for career progression, so meeting new people at networking events and work functions can help you out in the long term. In fact, studies show traditional networking is considered one of the top five most effective ways to find new opportunities and employment. Be sure to also form connections with the people you work with, beyond creating a friendlier workplace – these relationships will support the growth of your career. 4. Be confident in being noticed, sharing ideas and recommendations “Creative thinking inspires ideas. Ideas inspire change.” – Barbara Januszkiewicz Standing out is always better than fitting in. Success often comes from bringing fresh ideas, suggestions and approaches that others can’t. Thought leaders are never afraid to give constructive opinions and challenge the norms. For example, if you believe there’s a more dynamic or effective approach to a particular task – voice that opinion while also being considerate of your team’s thoughts and expertise. Rather than thinking about how well you can execute your existing role, focus on the extra things you can bring to it. 5. Support and value others “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs How you hold yourself during collaboration with team members can speak volumes about your personal values and integrity. It’s important you’re not ‘cut throat’ or abrasive in your approach, but understanding and considerate of your colleagues’ input. As mentioned earlier, it’s important to stand out and be noticed, but in a way that ensures others will be respectful of your progression. Remember to be brilliant in your own lane and considerate of others. 6.Time management is key “This is the key to time management – to see the value in every moment.” – Menachem Mendel Schneerson At the end of the day, networking and teamwork may contribute to your success but it all comes down to what you can achieve. Planning for deadlines, structuring your workload and achieving more throughout the day can transform the way you work. There are many tips and tricks you can apply to maximise your output throughout the day. Try and start your day by scheduling and planning your priorities – beyond putting yourself in a productive zone, your level of organisation will be noticed by colleagues and managers. Treat every hour throughout the day as an opportunity to achieve more. 7. Keep note of your accomplishments and share them “People who take risks are the people you’ll lose against” – John Sculley There’s a way to reflect on your achievements without bragging or boasting. Sometimes people believe they’ve achieved great things but fail to communicate it with others. It’s important to keep a personal portfolio of your achievements – not just for your current role but for potential roles and clientele. These accomplishments should be high level and significant, focusing on larger-scale responsibilities rather than minor project tasks. When it comes to the crunch, your employer will focus on what you have achieved so far and what you aspire to achieve. Showcase both with confidence. “If you deny people their own voice, you’ll have no idea of who they are.” – Alice Walker It’s always important to keep your end goal in mind and hold yourself with confidence while trying to achieve it. Have you recently been promoted or grown within your industry? What tips and tricks worked for you?