Value Proposition: Got Yours Handy

Posted by: William W. (Woody) Williams

I posted this over on my blog at door64 this morning. Reworked a bit for this format...

Every recruiter, head hunter, or consultant in the HR/Recruiting sector hammers the "value proposition" in our resumes. There's a ton of good reasons for that and... Well, it just makes sense.

In the workplace and "on the market," we offer a certain value to our employer. We are not, as people, exactly a commodity in this sense but, to a current or future employer, there is a cost/benefit calculation to the role we play, the training and experience we bring, and our ability to convert that experience into dollars for the business.

In some ways that value is quantifiable but in every way it is essential that we remain keenly aware of and can accurately state / communicate our personal value proposition. This applies whether we are seeking advancement, a career change, or a new position.

So... got your value proposition handy?

I do.

As a project manager, I'm comfortable with quantification, communication, and putting things into executive form. I'm not saying my value proposition is the best ever or that it can't be improved, just saying that I'm comfortable hashing it together quickly... perhaps more so than most folks. Also as a project manager, value propositions are a part of my daily inbox.

My value proposition is a part of my resume, my elevator pitch, and my interview script. Here's what it looks like.

Value Proposition
Organizational skills, leadership ability, and repeatable methodology successfully delivered cost savings and ROI in excess of one billion dollars over past ten years in complex, enterprise-level project environments with disparate stakeholder groups primarily within financial services organizations.

Strong communication skills, extensive experience in multiple environments, solid soft skills, excellence as an influencer and negotiator, coaching and mentoring experience, background with PMI/PMBOK, and PMO leadership experience means ten things to your organization:

1. Saving effort and cost through proactive scope management
   
2. Better solution fit the first time through better alignment & planning
   
3. Resolving problems more quickly
   
4. Resolving future risk before problems occur
   
5. Managing expectations more effectively
   
6. Building a higher quality product the first time
   
7. Improved project financial management
   
8. Stopping 'bad' projects more quickly
   
9. More focus on metrics and fact-based decision-making
   
10. Improved work environment through team building & success

Now there's one more point to make about the value proposition: It must be verifiable and real. Moreover, it should show that you are capable of self assessment and that you understand what your value is to the business.

In a resume, the value proposition must integrate or synch with recommendations, references, and background so it's not just hanging out there by itself. You have to back it up with solid stuff.

I have my value proposition memorized.

How about yours?

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