To get promoted you must excel at what you do. To get promoted faster, you must be noticed for excellence. In 1963 advertising executive William A. Marsteller said, “Don’t waste your ability – write articles, make speeches. Stand out from the crowd or be lost in the crowd.” Four-and-a-half decades later, this advice still rings true. Writing articles and giving presentations are two salient skill sets that are marketable and highly desirable—think promotional building blocks.

To climb the corporate ladder takes action. Here are some points to consider as you think about getting started on your writing:

• Corporate culture – If your company has a culture of cooperation, your initiative may be welcomed and it’s likely safe to proceed. If the culture is highly competitive you may need to look for opportunities that are closely in line with the responsibilities of your job. In any case talk with your manager about your ideas and get their advice.
• Conflict check – Always be careful not to step on co-workers’ toes by doing their jobs or acting like an expert in their areas. You may come across as someone who wants to get ahead at any cost and who cannot be trusted. Also, it may be possible that a similar project is being worked on or has been produced in the past. Fully research your company’s database before embarking on such an endeavor.
• Seniority – Being new at a company doesn’t mean that you can’t put yourself forward. Focus on what you can contribute, such as experience in the industry or research at your university, and don’t write about your company’s procedures and traditions until you have been there long enough to understand them.
• Comfort level with English – Know where you need to improve in English and work on those areas to build your comfort level with the language accordingly.

Strong writing and speaking skills are becoming more highly competitive both in terms of perfection and in desirability on the part of the employer, client, and various external audiences. More so, as an international professional, these skills show that you mean business, that you are confident with English and culturally adept—highly prized attributes in a globalizing world. Consider these core business communication skills key to professional advancement and promotion.

“You think you are able; I think you are able. When other people around you begin saying so, unsolicited, then you’re promotable.” Start the new year by thinking you are able and defining and addressing those areas where you may need some fine tuning.

In our next article we’ll talk about the kinds of writing you can do and some topics you can write about.