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Asking for a raise is not something everyone is qualified to do. For marketing professionals who have been busy striving in the market for nearly a year, I believe you should consider negotiating only if you meet at least the following three conditions:
Have a sales achievement rate and growth rate above the company average: Good sales performance is a prerequisite. Whether it's the achievement rate or the growth rate, you should at least exceed the company average. Otherwise, you might be a candidate for elimination. If you dare to ask for a raise at this point, you're giving your boss a reason to fire you.
Calculate the input-output ratio: The profit you create for the company should be far greater than your income. Horizontally, your current income should also be at a relatively low level in the industry. In fact, both you and your boss are looking for a "balance." You want your income to better match your efforts, while your boss wants expenses to align with profit goals and hopes for higher profitability in the industry. Remember, the boss will never make a losing deal.
Possess a capability that others cannot replace: I recall a story about a young man working in a five-star hotel kitchen. When the financial crisis hit, the hotel conducted several major layoffs and personnel changes, but this young man kept his job and even saw a slight salary increase. Everyone was puzzled. Later, it was learned that several major long-term clients of the hotel loved the small biscuits this young man baked, and the taste was something no one else could replicate. Similarly, in our marketing work, perhaps there is an important client who only recognizes you; or a critical work process, such as bidding or price approval, that only you have fully participated in; or the annual marketing meeting that you host best. Cultivating an irreplaceable ability in your daily work may not help you get a raise, but it can at least help you keep your current position.
In summary, your value should be greater than your compensation, and you should be willing to take on more pressure to gain greater rewards. At that point, you can consider discussing a raise with your boss.
The key is how to negotiate—strategy matters!
First, as an employee, if you want your boss to give you a raise, you must proactively bring it up. If you don't ask, no strategy will work.
When requesting a raise, besides listing your reasons one by one and detailing your contributions to the company, the most important thing is to determine the amount you ask for. The amount you propose should exceed what you think you deserve. Note: the key is "exceed." Given the unequal status between you and your boss, this requires courage. Practice in front of a mirror beforehand to confidently state the "exceeded" amount, so you won't hesitate or stutter when facing your boss.
Most people ask for a modest raise, but sometimes a low request can be harmful. The lower the amount you ask for, the lower your perceived value in the boss's eyes—this is a strange quirk of human nature. It's like shopping: if the price tag is too low, we become suspicious and reconsider buying. Conversely, if we propose a more reasonable and slightly higher amount, it might prompt the boss to reassess your value. He might think, "Why is this person asking for this? Is there something exceptional about them I haven't noticed?" Even if you don't get the full amount, the boss might treat you better, such as improving your working conditions or considering a promotion.
Second, be fully aware that negotiating a raise is a game—a thrilling one. It's best not to end in a lose-lose situation where you part ways and you resign. That's a double loss; we hope for a win-win outcome.
In the negotiation game between you and your boss, the boss will assess your abilities and value to determine the appropriate raise and use that as a bargaining position. If your reasons are strong and backed by facts, they may conflict with the boss's perception, causing what psychologists call "cognitive dissonance." The boss will try to reconcile this inconsistency. However, if you don't expose this "cognitive dissonance," you'll be at a disadvantage in the negotiation because he holds preconceived notions. By presenting a different viewpoint, you force him to reevaluate you and see you in a new light, making it more likely to reach a favorable resolution.
Finally, remember a key principle: know when to stop. Human desires are insatiable. It's best not to have high expectations from the start, or at least hope that even if the boss disagrees, he will change his perspective and gain a deeper understanding of you.
Negotiating a raise requires strategy and courage, and it varies from person to person. I sincerely advise everyone to proceed with caution!