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Will Your
Manager Say
YES to a Flexible Work Request?
Based on my years of experience with thousands of
career professionals with all types of managers,
something interesting emerged: an “approval
profile.”
Do you fit it? If you score well on the
criteria below, that's a strong indicator that a request for
flexible work is likely to get approval—even from a
tough-sell
boss.
Take this simple 3-question quiz to get a gauge of your
approval outlook. (Low-tech, yes, but quick and
glitch-free!) 1. How long have you worked
for the same manager?
A. < 1 year
B. 1 to 2 years
C. > 2 years 2. How does your manager rate
your job performance? A. Standard
Performance
B. Above Standard Performance
C. Superior Performance
3. How do you plan to present your request for a
flexible work arrangement? A.
Verbally
B. With a proposal I've researched and written
myself from scratch
C. With a professional proposal customized
from the
Flex Success Proposal Template
Tally Your Quiz Score:
Each A response = 1 point
Each B response = 2 points
Each C response = 4 points (4
points, not 3; these C factors are weighted
higher because of their reliable impact in getting
approval of a request for a flexible work arrangement.)
A Gauge for Assessing
If You'll Get a YES to Your Flexible Work Request
3-5 points: LOW A verbal request by a marginal
short-term employee is a recipe for denial of a flexible
work arrangement. Recommendation: Take several
months to build tenure and performance with your manager,
then add a solid plan and proposal in writing. 6-7
points: FAIR In which areas can you add
one or two more points? Recommendation: To enhance your chances of
getting approval of a flexible work arrangement, consider delaying your
request until you reach the next level. Meanwhile,
Dig Up
Information at Your Workplace as a
planning step and
read the
strategy
articles here.
8-9 points: GOOD Or good-to-go, as
they say. This is a decent starting
position for making your request now. A detailed proposal
will tip the scales in
your favor.
Recommendation: Do the
Redesign
Your Job exercise in preparation for
customizing
your proposal.
10-12 points: VERY GOOD
to EXCELLENT You're
well-positioned for approval and you can be confident in
moving ahead with your request.
Flex Success Proposal Template
has roughly an 80% success rate; your tenure and job
performance reinforce the likelihood of getting the
flexible work you want.
Recommendation: Don't delay in preparing and
presenting
your proposal.
“I'm still nervous.
I don't think MY manager will go for this!”
It’s okay to feel that way because being nervous, apprehensive
or hesitant is actually part of the process of making
the request. It first surfaces in the ‘thinking-about-it’ stage.
Accept it as normal and don’t let it stop you from asking
for what you want. (And asking, by the way, is
the only way
you’re going to get it.) Besides, a
professional proposal builds confidence.
Even a “Tough-sell”
Manager Can Be Won Over with Flex Success
Many
previous Flex Success Proposal Template users were doubtful
about getting a positive response from their manager until they put
Flex Success into action.
So,
even if yours is a tough case, don't second-guess what your manager will do
or say; no one can predict that with certainty.
Let me recount several cases of tough-sell managers who
were won over using the
Flex Success Proposal Template. They will encourage you to
move forward in spite of your doubts.
Find Your Manager in the Listing
Below
The Brick Wall Manager
I've tried to convince management that I could make a
limited hour schedule work before and I've always been
turned down. This time, my flawless proposal got through
the brick wall!
Lorraine Sitton (got approval of a reduced
workweek)
Senior Paralegal
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The It-Won't-Work Manager
...before I left on maternity leave, I requested a
compressed workweek. I was told no and that it wouldn't
work. While on leave I came across your [Flex Success]
blueprint. I hesitated...[and] was somewhat skeptical.
[Then], I decided it was worth the risk.
I...emailed it to my boss yesterday morning. By 3pm, she
called me to tell me I have her approval to work 4 days
per week when I return from maternity leave. I want
people to know that it is well worth the [price]. Thank
you...
Angie McDonald (got approval of a compressed
workweek)
Wichita, KS
The Wouldn't-Even-Consider-It Manager
I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! My professional
proposal sealed the deal; honestly, my boss said she
would not have even considered it had I not put together
such a wonderful presentation. Thank you.
Kate Ross (got approval of a reduced workweek)
Field Marketing Manager
Orinda, CA
The I-Can't-Do-Without-You-in-the-Office Manager
The day after I briefly mentioned my [4-day work week]
plans, my boss told me that it was unlikely that he
would ‘do without’ me one day a week. However,
following
the review of my proposal, he completely changed his
story...
Danielle Ouendag (got approval of a four-day workweek)
Environmental Affairs Manager (pharmaceuticals)
Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Cold-Chill Manager
When I first approached my manager about working from
home one day a week upon my return to work [after
maternity leave], she gave me a very chilly response.
Once my son came into the world a couple of months
later, I knew that I had to bring up the subject
again, but this time, with a very buttoned-up,
well-thought-out plan.
While researching, I found your web site and purchased
your [Flex Success] telecommuting proposal template.
Last week I had lunch with my boss to review the
proposal, and she did a complete 180! She
actually laughed at how "comprehensive" my proposal
was. I return to work this week, and instead of feeling
overwhelmed, I am actually looking forward to it! I
attribute her change of heart to the [Flex Success]
proposal I submitted. Thank you!
Kim Yates (got approval to telecommute)
Account Executive
Television Advertising Sales
Atlanta, Georgia
The On-the-Fence Manager
My boss said that my proposal was what swayed him to
agree to let me do this. Up to that point he was on the
fence about whether or not it would work.
Lori Atkins (got approval to telecommute)
Reports Administrator
Chicago, Illinois
The Full-of-Questions-and-Concerns
Manager
I wanted to telecommute full-time in my current job
because I was moving to Atlanta from San
Francisco...using Flex Success, I was well-prepared with
a strategy and ready answers to my boss's questions and
concerns. Bottom-line: my telecommuting proposal was
approved. Thank you.
Brad Palmer
(got approval to telecommute)
Atlanta, GA
The Taken-Back-at-the-Idea Manager
While my boss was pretty taken back with the thought of
my going part-time, he did comment that I seemed to have
really put a lot of thought into my decision and thought
the proposal covered all the bases...
K. Jarvis (got approval of a part-time schedule)
Account Manager
UNICARE Life & Health Insurance Company
Virginia
The Needs-Convincing Manager
...[it was]...so easy to customize your format to fit my
needs...[and]...I'm sure it helped convince my boss
that
the proposal would work. Thanks!
Luanne Cantor (got approval of a reduced workweek)
Controller
The Physician's Computer Company
Vermont
The Manager Needs Someone Else to Approve It, Too
...We presented our proposal to our immediate manager
and department manager. One comment that our dept. mgr.
made upon seeing our proposal was, 'If all of our sales
proposals looked this good, we would be making a
killing!'
J. Brown (got approval of job sharing)
Advertising Sales Rep (newspaper)
Phoenix, AZ
The Human Resource Manager said she was so impressed
with my [reduced hours] proposal and how professional it
was. She and my boss approved it...
Angela Hunt (got approval of a reduced workweek)
Advertising Sales Rep (publishing)
Kansas City, MO
Finally, read how
Flex Success
won over FOUR higher-ups in THREE
layers of management for FIRST-time-ever approval:
[My immediate boss] was impressed...Unfortunately, she
was not the final decision-maker ...Our VP...was very
impressed with [the proposal's] professionalism, detail,
references and quotes...he needed to talk to his boss
(the Senior VP) and the CIO (about feasibility of
technology and security issues...).
Two days later my VP told me that while he had never
allowed an employee to work from a home office and that
the idea was very progressive, his answer was "Yes!" The
Senior VP and CIO had both approved my proposal.
I am walking on air and still can't believe my dream has
come true! I truly couldn't have made a better
impression without the help of Flex Success. [It] gave
me the tools I needed to pursue this alternative work
arrangement with confidence. Thank you...
Shannon Bryant (got approval to telecommute from Maine)
Healthcare Analyst
Chesterfield, MO
Note: Shannon's Flex Success story was featured in
the February 13, 2003 print issue of The Wall Street
Journal.
Asking works!
Avoid
the two big mistakes in asking for a
flexible work arrangement. Ask with a first-rate written proposal.
It's
critical to approval.
Bottom line: Using the
Flex Success Proposal Template
is a proven factor in influencing managers to agree to a flexible work request.
Why not be next? Order and download Flex
Success now.
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