I am a Learning and Development Manager at a medical device company in the Boston area. The budget for the programs I deliver is owned by the various department heads. When economic times are tough, as they are now, these managers often reduce budgets by eliminating learning and development line items. We have been fortunate as a company during the current recession to do fairly well. However, several valuable learning and development programs have been eliminated. What can I do to prevent this from happening in the future?

While the problem you describe has impacted learning and development departments for years, they are by no means the only function affected. Regardless of your role, if the budget is under someone else's control consider the following three-part plan.

1. Build relationships with key stakeholders

   Don't leave this important responsibility to chance. Make a list of the company's managers who control your budget. Prioritize this list according to who has the most influence over your budget. Set up a schedule to meet with each individual periodically and more frequently with the most influential. In these meetings always have a business agenda. Ask for feedback on your initiatives. Inquire about his or her challenges and how you might help. Present an analysis of your work in terms of increased revenue or cost reduction.

2. Form an advisory board

   In some situations, it can be helpful to create an advisory board. Ask the most progressive leaders to join the board and review issues affecting their business with you and your staff. Bring in thought leaders from outside the organization, from time to time, to speak at these meetings. You will soon become partners with these leaders and not some "out of sight, out of mind" entity.

3. Meet with the company's CEO or at least you manager's boss

   Set up a meeting to learn about his or her vision, mission and goals and how you can help with strategic issues. If you are not comfortable doing this, go in tandem with your manager.

If you apply these suggestions you will eventually be seen as invaluable to the organization. By implementing these actions you will grow immensely as a professional and never be the same again.

Copyright , Mark J. Campbell. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint this article is granted, provided you let me know where it is being printed, the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article:

"Mark Campbell partners with organizations for leadership development. For a complimentary subscription to his newsletter, "The Insightful Leaders," go to www.mjcampbellassoc.com."

TOP OF PAGE