Starting a new job? See here how to make a killing!

Congratulations on your new challenges!!!

You feel Excited? Energized? Motivated? Fired Up? Alive? Enthusiastic? and... a bit Nerve Racking! I so get you!

For how much painful it can be to get into a new role, I also really enjoy the discovery phase; getting to know the stakeholders, the team members, the decision makers, the business dynamic, the scope of work, the risks, the current issues...

The reality is that even if people know that you are an outsider in your role, they kind of forget that you are new and you have a learning curve to go through.

I just started a mandate in early 2010 in one of the largest company in Canada and my role was as I was working on the governance component related to their largest IT and Business Transformation Program. So here I am the first morning meeting with the Program manager that was responsible for my integration - Before noon I already got in my court 4 critical complex issues that needed to be addressed for Yesterday.

Here's the thing: no matter how ''rushy'' and critical the issues seems to be when ever you enter a new role, most of the time those issues have been ''haunting'' the house for a while.

So, with that being said; here is what I suggest you to make a big hit right from the start and to not let yourself dive without knowing where you are going too fast - this is what I am doing and what I started practicing a few years ago

1. Split your job in 2 streams of work;
• one is for the tactical activities: The mistake that people usually do is to get in a job and work in a short term perspective, they do not bloc anytime for a more strategic stream. Tactical activities would be for me to fix the governance issues in the roles and responsibilities for the next phase of the project versus the entire program - tactical tasks are looking for short term results. It is however important that you don't go the other way and only focus on the strategic stream as people will get frustrated quickly as they will have the feeling that you are not helping them at all since you arrived. Take control of the tactical activities that has to be performed and make sure that you prioritize them well to go get the biggest impact you can quickly. You have to demonstrate quickly your ability to make things happen fast especially when you are new to an organisation. Your team needs to know and see that you are taking control on the operational aspects.
• the other is the strategic stream: The strategic stream is the stream that will create long term value in the organisation. You will take your function and quickly make an assessment of the current situation; look at your organisational structure, understand current roles and responsibilities, understand business financial figures, your current team impact in the organization (from a budget and revenue perspective if applicable), your current business processes, the volume of transactions and department performance versus similar industry for example, your current people skills and performance. Involve your team when possible - Do not scare them right from the start by saying that you will put in place a transformation program 1 day after you are in place! On the other hand, management team is expecting you to think outside the box and help them create value!
2. Do a 30-60-90 day plan and submit it about 2 weeks after you came on board. You will build a plan that you will present to your boss early when you arrive. Ask your boss his input before you communicate the plan to your employees! The plan's objective is for you to get organised and ensure that all angles of your work (tactical and strategic) will be addressed within the first 90 days.
3. Go buy a notebook that you will use during the first 90 days of your assignment. This notebook is not meant to be used to take meeting notes - it is meant to be kept to put your thoughts, observations and questions on the current situation. You will write in there your ideas on potential improvement areas and potential solutions to be looked at later on. This book will be very useful and you will be able to go back to your notes months after! A president already told me that the first 90 days are the most productive as you are still objective and get to really understand the business... Try it, it really works!
4. Be professional and organized. It is simple but too many people don't do it. Do it even if the company you are working in is not organised! Only plan meeting when require. Send agenda a head and make sure that you have everyone you need. Take meeting minutes making sure that the actions are clear and that decisions taken are documented. Maintain an issue log. Have a plan. Pay attention to your verbal and written communications. Don't waste your time and respect the precious time of others! BE NICE all the time, try to find constructive ways of expressing your point of view. Be transparent while being constructive again.

Good luck!!!!