Feature Article - December 2008
2008 is gradually coming to an end. Just as we take stock and conduct reviews of our personal achievements for the year, we should do the same for our professional achievements. Have we met our set targets for the year? What new skills have we acquired to make us better customer service representatives? What trainings were we able to attend during the year? Answers to these and many other questions will help us determine if we have been successful this year.
Personal development plans help us document our personal aspirations and goals. Often times we get so involved with our jobs that we forget to set personal development plans for ourselves. While some organisations encourage staff to make and document these plans, few ever care to conduct reviews of these plans periodically. As individuals, we must take time out to document our plans yearly.
Frequent reviews are also very important as they show us gaps between where we are and where we want to be by the end of the year. Most importantly we can review what we need to do to get to where we want to be. Will we forever wait for our organisations to give us that all important training and certification which we need to further our careers?
I believe that no one knows and understands your long term goals more than YOU. So if you know that to get that dream Customer Service Manager position you’ve always wanted, you need to understand customer relations or customer intelligence better, why not enrol for a one day seminar/training. Save up for it and actually attend it (even if you have to use a day of your vacation).
Its time to audit your career and development targets for this year. What would you do differently if given a chance? Your answer will surely guide you in the right direction.