4 Steps to Convincing Your Boss to Invest in You

by Oct 31, 2017

One perpetual problem HR professionals seem to face is convincing the boss to invest in them and their ideas. We hear it all the time, “Let’s get HR a seat at the table.” To convince your boss to invest in your ideas, you have to demonstrate the benefits and persuade the boss it’s worth the time and money. Money talks, as they say.

I’ve had to get good at helping my potential clients – HR professionals who call me for help with their culture – sell culture change to their bosses. I often share these four steps with them to help them get through to their bosses:

Step 1. Review the program you want your boss to invest in.

Select the portions of the course that are most beneficial to you and your company, and then be prepared to be specific with your boss about how and why those specific portions are paramount for the organization. For example, if you were going to convince your boss to invest in my eight-module online learning course about culture change, you might share with him or her that turnover is high and the survey you’ll be able to send out to the workforce as a result of the course will help you understand why. Add in that turnover costs about 30% of the exiting employee’s annual salary, and the course pays for itself if you save even one employee.

Step 2. Stress the value of investing in the course.

The smarter you are, the better you are for the organization. In addition, if you can point out stats and facts related to the course topic, that can help you too. For example, here’s an article from inside my eight-module workplace culture course to help you make the point that employee engagement really does increase performance. There’s an ROI to engagement, and your boss will need to understand that if you wanted him or her to give you some budget for my course.

Step 3. Write the perfect email laying out your request.

The formula for your request email is as follows:

  • State the name of the course and that it will be critical for you and the organization
  • Describe the course offerings and what you will learn / what actions you will be able to take a result of the course
  • Share the price and why that price is worth it / offer an ROI for the course (e.g., if just one person is saved from quitting, the course will have paid for itself)
  • Describe the qualifications of the instructor or company offering the course
  • State your case about how investment in the course will pay off
  • Offer to meet with your boss during or after the course to discuss everything you’re learning and how you will apply it directly to your organization

I wanted to help you out, so I created an email template for you to use. I used my Workplace Culture Makeover Masterclass as an example but you can tailor it to match your needs! Convince your boss to invest in you.

download your free email template

Step 4. Meet with your boss throughout the course.

Share what you are learning, what the action steps are, and what you need from the boss for support.

In the end…

For years, HR has struggled to be taken seriously as a leader in organizations. They have been excluded from meetings, brushed off, and left to their own devices. The problem with that is that human resources is vital to organizational success. They are the connection to the greatest and most expensive assets a company invests in – employees. As a strategic partner to the organization, HR is the captain of building a positive culture where employees can thrive. A positive culture means engaged employees, which means higher financial performance, better productivity, and lower turnover rates. In other words, HR has a major impact on the bottom line. No longer should HR be sent off to their office to take employee complaints and run payroll. They should be sitting down at those leadership meetings and saying, “here is what we need to do to make sure our organization is a success.” It’s time to stop asking for a seat at the table and take it.

You got this,

Catherine.

**P.S. Click here if you want to learn more about my Workplace Culture Makeover Masterclass, an 8-module online learning program for HR professionals, leaders or consultants who want to create a positive and thriving work environment. 

Many organizations ignore employee engagement because it feels elusive and expensive. Rather than getting caught up in the fear and doing nothing, download our eBook on employee engagement, and get started.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

How the Lack of Training Affects your Organization

The workforce is the heart of any thriving company. However, without proper training, employees may find themselves ill-equipped to meet the demands of their roles effectively.  Millennials think learning and growing are important reasons for joining a new company....

Why it’s Getting Harder for Some Women to Report Harassment

The United Nations Women found that about 1 in every 3 women has been sexually harassed at work. 3 out of 4 of them never report it to a manager, HR or anyone else. Imagine a world where every woman is treated with the respect and dignity she deserves. Unfortunately,...

How Companies Can Support Single Parents

Single parents face increased pressure as they balance full-time employment with the responsibility of caring for their children. This heightened pressure comes from various factors, such as economic challenges, limited support systems, and the need to provide for...

Why Your Reward System For Employees Can Fail Badly

Last week marked the celebration of Employee Appreciation Day! During this special time, many companies express their gratitude to their workforce, and one common way they do it is by giving out rewards.  Reward systems are a crucial aspect of employee motivation and...

Can a Wage Increase Make Employees More Productive?

In California, the upcoming minimum wage boost for fast food workers to $20 starting April 1st has ignited discussions about its potential influence on worker productivity.  Currently, the median hourly wage for fast-food workers in the U.S. is $13.43, while in...

Why Every Leader Needs to Worry About Toxic Work Culture

Employees quit their jobs for different reasons, and a major one is because of a toxic workplace environment. In fact, researchers discovered that between April and September 2021, toxic culture was the main reason why employees decided to leave their jobs. A toxic...

Civility Partners at 15 Years!

2024 marks an incredible milestone for us—our 15th-anniversary celebration! Yes, you read that right—15 years of making a positive impact on over 270 organizations served, thousands of employees, and millions of people worldwide! Thanks to the vision of our founder...

Driving Organizational Success Through Behavior Change

How can you make your workplace more exciting and successful?  Organizational success is not solely dependent on strategies or cutting-edge technologies. Instead, the key driver of success lies within the organization itself—specifically, within the collective...

How Much is Your Culture Costing You?

Creating a positive workplace culture isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a key player in the success of any business. It goes beyond token gestures like wellness days and promotions; it's fundamentally about how you treat your people, the support you extend to your team,...

Are you bamboozled by your company’s culture?

Your first day at a new job is a lot like embarking on an adventure. You step through the doors, eager and optimistic, your mind filled with expectations set by the promises of the company’s values and mission. For some, these principles are more than just words on a...