You're a skilled facilitator in a large group setting. How can you secure a raise using your expertise?

1 Gauge Value

Before marching into a salary negotiation, take stock of your unique contributions. As a facilitator, you have honed the ability to guide discussions, foster collaboration, and drive groups toward concrete outcomes. These are valuable skills in any organization, especially when dealing with large groups where complexity increases. Reflect on specific instances where your facilitation has led to successful project outcomes or resolved conflicts that could have derailed important initiatives. You need to articulate clearly how your role as a facilitator has positively impacted the bottom line, team dynamics, or organizational culture.

2 Market Research

Understanding the market rate for your role is crucial. Research what other facilitators with similar experience and in similar industries are earning. This information serves as a benchmark for your salary expectations and provides a factual basis for your request. When you know the going rate, you can position your raise as an alignment with industry standards rather than a personal favor. Presenting this data during your negotiation highlights your analytical skills and shows you have done your homework.

3 Document Success

Maintain a portfolio of your facilitation successes. Include feedback from participants, improvements in meeting efficiency, and any quantifiable results from sessions you've led. This portfolio is tangible proof of your expertise and effectiveness as a facilitator. When negotiating for a raise, this documentation can speak volumes about your value to the organization, making it easier for decision-makers to see the return on investment they get by compensating you appropriately.

4 Strategic Timing

Timing is everything when asking for a raise. Look for a moment when your facilitation skills have just shone in a high-stakes situation or after you've successfully completed a significant project. This ensures that your contributions are fresh in the minds of those who hold the purse strings. Moreover, aligning your request with the company's budgeting cycle can increase your chances of success, as funds for salary increases are more likely to be available.

6 Leverage Networks

Finally, use your internal networks to gather support for your raise. In large group facilitation, building consensus is part of the process; apply this principle by ensuring key influencers understand your value. Having allies in different departments can provide a chorus of voices that endorse your request, making it harder for decision-makers to overlook the breadth of your impact on the organization. Your network can reinforce the message that investing in you is an investment in the company's success.