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Promote yourself - Make the jump from Assistant to Senior in a creative agency


Every great career, however, needs more than just a regular supply of ideas. It needs a well-run, individual who knows how to play the game to stand out from their colleagues and keep progressing.
Perhaps you have reached this point, but don’t know how to prove it to your boss? If so, take a look at these great short, medium and long term actions that will ensure you become more than just an ideas person, bit also an integral part of the business.
Short term
Insist you attend pitch meetings – If you aren’t there when a project begins, you won't fully understand the clients' point of view, see how your boss wins business and any opportunities that may go unseen.
Prove your own ROI – How much do your accounts earn your company? Put a figure against it and use it in appraisal meetings.
Work longer hours – It may sound obvious, but being first in and last out allows you to finish tasks that need your full attention early, allowing you to network more during the day.

Medium term
Learn to delegate – This can be to subordinates or contractors. If you can outsource a repetitive task to someone cheaper, while maintaining the quality, then you are starting to think like your boss.
Be a solutions person – Don’t just go to your boss with problems, always have at least one solution with you on how it might be resolved.
Bring in a client (or at least make suggestions) – If you can get a good looking prospect in for a meeting with your boss then you are showing confidence in your ability to spot an opportunity.

Long term
Be your boss’ friend - Do you know anything about them? Do you ever ask about their family, their interests outside of work, what motivates them? Make them your key supporter by getting to know them as a person first.
Be your clients’ friend - Learn their age, passions and birthday - become someone your boss can trust to take care of them. If they insist on speaking to you then you are an asset, someone who needs to be kept and promoted.
Have a voice in the company – Get a regular slot at a weekly meeting, write a blog for the company website or regularly share industry content with colleagues with a view on what it means for your agency.

You may be a creative, but you are also a sales person, an account director, financial controller and director. The account however is your career and you need to be in control of all these aspects to get and stay ahead.

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