It’s a fact of life in this business: Every major move you make has to be cleared by someone further up the food chain in your company.

So it only follows that the better you know how to set the table, the more success you’ll find at the financial trough.

Some experts say the best way to position yourself is to cultivate a working relationship with the “C people” at your company: the CFO, CEO, and/or CIO.

This way, you’re better prepared when opportunity knocks.

In order to capitalize on this seat at the table, consider following this five-step plan:

• Align your goals. The C people are more likely to consider your ideas if those ideas are in sync with their own goals for the company. Not sure what those goals are? Ask.
• Be a Boy Scout. Like the Scout mantra says, Be Prepared. That means don’t wait to pull together detailed information on suppliers, goals, etc. You never know when opportunity will knock.
• When in Rome … Be sure to present your ideas in their language: “For X investment, we will achieve Y return.”
• Get to the point quickly. You never know when your time with C people will be cut short. Get your ideas on the table quickly. Visuals — like a spreadsheet — can help.
• Lend a helping hand. Let the C people know you’re available for questions before they are asked to explain specific proposals. You can make sure the key points are easy to understand and convey.

Tags: CFO, procurement, purchasing