How Do I Manage New Requests From My Boss?

Hi Joe,

My boss just reached out and wants us to try out a new project that we’ve never done before. I’ve never even heard of some of the things she’s talking about. I told her that I’d look into it, but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Clueless Corey

Hi, Corey, you’ve come to the right place. 

First off, telling your boss you’d look into it is a great first step. It shows initiative and that you’re ready to find a way to make it work for your team. So many people worry about not having the answer right away, and they end up saying “yes” to things they can’t actually accomplish, or “no” to things that might actually make a positive difference. The fact that you’ve given yourself the time to research the feasibility is great. Nice job.

Second, there are two main things you’re going to have to do before you get back to your boss. The first is figuring out what the ask actually is and how it’s typically addressed. Once you’ve done that, you then have to map out the scope for the project, while also understanding the value that will come from implementing it. Let’s dive into these two things a little more.

Understand the ask

A big part of what your boss (and their boss) is going to want to know is how much money, time, and resources the project is going to cost. But before you can even map out the scope of the project, you need to have a clear picture of how you’re actually going to execute it. Here are some ways to go about that.  

• Tap into your network. The truth is, it’s unlikely that this is the first time someone is looking into this project. The marketing ops community has tons of people that are willing to share their experiences and answer questions — so ask.
• Check out relevant forums. There is a rich collection of forums on various marketing automation topics — you’ve probably already used them to answer questions before. Revisit these and post your questions so members can answer. 
• See if there’s a company dedicated to this particular issue. A lot of companies in the marketing automation space started out trying to solve a particular issue. Take Knak, our sister company, they exist in part because they realized that Marketo didn’t have robust email editing capabilities, and they wanted to give marketers more freedom to design emails. There might be another company out there that’s built around helping marketers execute the type of project you want to run. 

Figure out the scope

Once you know what the project will look like, then you can assess how much it will cost. This will go beyond the price tag of a new tool: you also have to consider how many people will need to be involved and for how long, and whether it makes more sense to bring in a consultant. On the flip side, you should also consider the value the project will bring to your team. How much time will it save? How many new leads will it generate? 

This may be the point where you realize that the project isn’t actually feasible or sensible for your team. Don’t be afraid to say that to your boss. As long as you can show that there’s a good reason for it, and that you’re looking out for the best interests of the company, they’ll understand a “no”.

That all said, don’t let finances or the fact that a project seems to “make sense” for your business be the only factors that guide your decision making. Sometimes, it’s the projects that look banal on the outside that end up making the most impact in the long run. Maybe everything works fine as it is, but it’s worth experimenting and fostering a culture of innovation and iteration within your team. That way, you can avoid becoming complacent and instead position yourselves as leaders within the space. 

You’ve got this, 

Joe Pulse