Seriously Hot

I'm going to be in the hot seat... seriously.

For quite a while I've been preparing for a management meeting in Phoenix. This is my opportunity to demonstrate that I'm deeply committed to my position within the company and that I bring a fresh perspective and will make significant contributions.

But... I'm not ready and I'm running out of time. The clock keeps ticking, the hands whirl around at light-speed these days. My discussion and presentation on human resource issues just isn't there yet, and I can hardly make heads-nor-tails of my notes on drugs and alcohol issues in the workplace. What am I going to do to get ready? I can't work longer hours, I have family commitments. I'll have to put off some of my usual day-to-day duties. Yikes.

Not that I'm worried that my input at the meetings won't be listened to, but I want to be as prepared and as articulate as possible. Professional. That's the image I want to be associated with. A strong, confidant woman that brings sound ideas to the table in a calm, professional manner. With supporting information, not to be researched further, but at her fingertips. I want to bring my end of the discussions back to the basics: dollars and cents. How are my suggestions going to affect the bottom line? Or to use a different process: how can I influence the implementation of something positive for all the employees here and demonstrate that the impact will result in lower expenditures for the company at the same time? How can I make my ideas irresistible?

Research, polish and practice. A former colleague used to constantly recite the 5 Ps: Proper Planning Precludes Poor Performance.

So, I'd better get back to my work - no more slacking with writing this blog today. I've got some serious work to do.