There is a mercenary side to idea approval. What happens with your idea is a reflection on person who approved it. I know, for one, I'm not willing to risk my reputation on someone's half-baked or half-executed idea. That doesn't mean I don't take risks on individuals or ideas. I do on both. But, business decisions are about odds and risks. Make sure both are in your favor. Being a strong performer is best way to get your ideas noticed and sell them to powers that be.

You can start enhancing your performance reputation by implementing ideas that don't require anyone's approval. Do what needs doing, what would be helpful if implemented or beneficial if created. Of course, this at-your-discretion work is always in addition to current responsibilities. People who are winning at working use ideas to build performance trust. And performance trust builds careers.

(c) 2005 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.

Interviewing Process: *Candidates were chaperoned around from interview to interview; every candidate was treated as a guest in their house, not just another body interviewing *After meeting everyone, candidate had a nice debrief with a representative from Human Resources department and was then escorted to car waiting departure back to airport

The Offer: *Selected candidates could expect a verbal offer within 48 hours of final interview and a letter of offer sent overnight mail *The offer could be contingent upon a good background check

How Candidates are lost: •Waiting for days, if not weeks, for references and background checks •Candidate can be recruited away while waiting for background check to be completed •Delays create hesitation in candidate’s mind about hiring company •Delays reflect poorly on company’s ability to move quickly •Lowball offer after waiting

I have almost a 100% acceptance rate from candidates. Often times it isn’t best money or best opportunity they had been offered. It was high quality interviewing process. Considering time and effort by people in company and additional expenses of travel, companies can’t afford to lose right candidate. Hiring is like any relationship: “The more you put into it, more you get out of it.”