Lifescripts, 3rd Edition

17Asking Your Supervisor for a Budget Increase

STRATEGY

Asking for an increased budget is the ultimate uphill battle in today's lean business environment. Still, it can be done…as long as you frame it properly. The secret is to present the budget increase as a proactive effort to take advantage of an already existing opportunity, resulting in an improvement to the company's bottom line. That means it will boost revenues more than it will increase costs. It cannot be seen as a reaction to prior cuts, an attempt for more personal power, a totally new concept, an effort to save time, or as a drain on the company's coffers. Be aware that asking for an increased budget carries risks, whether you get it or not. If you achieve your goal, you'll be under increased scrutiny. If you don't achieve it, you may be marked as being out of step.

TACTICS

• Attitude: Whatever the real circumstances underlying your re‐quest, the attitude you bring to the meeting must be one of excitement and hope, rather than despair and exasperation.
• Preparation: Develop an ironclad business plan that documents how your proposed change will have a positive impact on the bottom line. Make sure there are no loopholes or question marks. In addition, have a host of fallback positions ready in case you're unable to overcome your supervisor's objections.
• Timing: Don't wait for budget time to present your plan. If you do, it will simply be seen as an effort to grab a bigger piece of the pie or to maintain what you've ...