“It’s worth remembering that no one is indispensable in business!”
Claude Littner, 68, is the former chairman of Viglen, and has been Lord sugar’s aide for the past two years, although he has been part of the show from the start. he is famed for his fearsome interview technique.
Unfortunately, there is no magic recipe to getting promoted. in theory, the best way to succeed is to do a good job – but sometimes that is not enough. You have to understand the politics and ethos of the company. You might be great at your job, but you may not fit into the culture. Meanwhile, someone who doesn’t do such a good job but knows the politics and how to present themselves may do better.
You also have to be a bit lucky. if you are playing to your strengths, you have to hope that your talent is recognised by your manager – and that they have the wisdom and ability to promote you. unfortunately, some people nurture talent and some are frightened of it.
If you are not getting promoted, what you do about it depends on your circumstances. if you have a mortgage, a family and bills to pay, it’s not easy to up sticks and move. But it’s also easy to take the view that it is better the devil you know, which is why some people stick at a job they may be ill-suited to.
It’s worth remembering that no one is indispensable in business! we live in a very competitive world. new skills are emerging all the time. So if you feel you are being sidelined by someone with different skills then consider retraining, or find a way to play to your strengths.
having your own business can be a lonely existence and it doesn’t necessarily yield success. But if you can make a success of it, then that puts you in a position of learning from grass roots, which is a good way to learn.