What’s Your Value Proposition?

For those who have been in the world of sales and marketing, value proposition is fairly common.  It means in short, what will I get if I invest in this product or service?

You value proposition answers this question for hiring managers or someone listening to your pitch:

What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?

As you know, you are now in a position of selling your own services.  So, what’s your value proposition?

You will have to start by answering these 3 questions.  They are not easy to answer, but worth investing effort in trying.

1) Exactly how will your employer benefit financially from hiring you?

This means what problems have you solved, what success have you had, what processes or procedures have you developed or streamlined? You’ve had to develop accomplishment stories, so look for re-occurring patterns here.

2)  What special experience or credentials do you bring to the table?

Are you a Six Sigma Black Belt? Have you mastered some cutting edge technology? Think about the experiences that are unique to you that a future employer would be impressed by.

3)  What additional talents and expertise do you have?

Have you held a role in a professional organization?  Do you have a related side interest you practice? 

If you were to put these 3 answers together, it may sound like:

“I have a passion for developing new and improved products which have added millions of dollars to the profits of manufacturing companies.

I have over 10 years of experience in operations and management.

I bring extensive experience in implementing “next” practices within manufacturing environments to continuously improve the quality and breadth of products.  I am known as a Lean manufacturing “go to” person and advise others in creative solutions.” 

Out of this, can you create a tagline? 

A tagline is a short snippet that will capture the attention of a listener and ideally be remembered? It is probably part of your elevator pitch too.

I am the lean “go to gal” providing new and improved products worth millions in profits for past companies.

Shorter and sweeter “tag line” for the resume and marketing plan

“Delivering new and improved products utilizing lean and “next practices” increasing profits of over $2.5 million”

Here are a several tag lines to mirror when creating your own value proposition:

Quality focused operations leader known for analytical problem solving and building relationships to successfully create profit-driven performance

International Operations Manager in a manufacturing environment with success identifying business strengths and weaknesses

Contributing significant impact to profitability of products through foresight and planning of operating standards and procedures