18 steps to getting a raise

So you want a raise, a vacation, a smile; well, here is what the bosswants: good employees and team members.

Good employees and team members are the goal of every business and everybusiness thrives when the staff takes an interest in the job.

So just for today, let us consider what it is that 'da boss wants fromthe payroll staff.

Best and simplest terms

In the best and simplest of terms, it comes from Dr. Richard Pflueger...theboss wants the staff to care and be kind-to themselves, to each other, tothe patients and to the client.

Stick to "care and be kind," and you will get everything youdesire from a job, assuming you are in the right job in the first place.

To get the things you desire from a job, any job, make yourself morevaluable to the business.

That said, this is how we go about it in 18 easy steps:

1. Show up on time. Better yet, arrive a few minutes early, putaway your stuff and be ready to go, when your shift starts.

2. Listen, and buy into, the mission statement and the visionoffered by the practice management.

3. Give the boss the benefit of the doubt. Yes, employees haveissues, but 'da boss must make the correct decisions day-in-and-day-outto ensure a cash stream is present to make the payroll.

4. Forgive the boss. Lots of mistakes lead to a few good solutions;focus on the few good solutions.

5. Ask the boss(es) what you might do to help make the "boss'sjob" responsibilities easier.

6. Make yourself more valuable to the clinic. Without being toldrepetitively, see to it that all the duties are completed every day in atimely, consistent and competent fashion.

7. Anticipate client needs and pay special attention to openingdoors, carrying pets out to the car. Smile and thank owners for coming in;after all, it is the client spending their discretionary dollars at yourplace of business that pays for salaries, benefits, heating, cooling, thefloor service and maintenance (and candy).

If you like your job, show it; if you don't like the job, be it too muchdiarrhea, too much blood, emotional clients, weird hours, leave and findanother job that is fun for you.

8. Expect out of a job only what you put into it. If you wantto learn, show up for in-house educational opportunities. If you want tosee more charity work, offer to put in some "free time."

9. If you cannot say anything nice don't say anything at all.

10. If you see a problem, or an issue comes up that needs attention,don't complain. Suggest assorted solutions, and offer to see that it getsthe appropriate follow-through.

11. Do not get bummed out if suggestions seem to be set aside. Lots of things are demanding the boss's attention: IRS, OSHA, inventory,maintenance, consumer relations, staff morale and vacation schedules andemployee issues compound daily.

12. Take ownership of your own feelings. Avoid you and find I,specifically avoid the use of the words, "you this and you did that."Think in terms of "I feel this way or "I am reacting ..."

13. Read a good book on human nature. Try a simple one, "Don'tSweat the Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson, or "Games People Play"by Eric Berne.

14. Remember that 85 percent of communication is physical messages,only 15 percent is verbal, so watch body language.

15. Dress like you care, look like you care. For males, a tieis nice, for women light makeup is the equivalent, and please touch up theoutpatient coats with light starch.

16. If you need some special time off or special considerations,return those considerations by accepting and asking for more time to helpout the other members of the staff who will be covering your time away.

17. Accept change, for without change things cannot get better,improve or advance.

18. And remember, nobody and nothing is perfect - focus on thegood part of the job.