How do you influence the C-Suite to get more resources?

The biggest thing you need to make sure to do when looking to ask something of the C-Suite (or anyone really) is to first ensure you know what that person cares about. The path of least resistance in getting approval of something you want is for the person you need to win over seeing how they also win if they give you what you want. If you understand what the C-Suite cares about and can clearly articulate how if they give you more resources, you will be able to influence them getting what they w ...Read More

I try to treat it like any other strategic sale: Ground it in outcomes: Tie the resource ask to specific outcomes (revenue, strategy, etc) and conversely what happens if we don't get the requested resources. Be efficient in your messaging here: “With X investment, here are the realistic Y and Z outcomes, plus the assumptions and risks.” Align to current initiatives: Frame the request in a way that ties it to things they already care about and are prioritizing. This shifts the perceived scope of ...Read More

DEEP business cases are the best to influence c-suite to get more resources. If you need more Solutions Consultants assigned to your segment of the business, prove how this has helped increase ASP in the past. If you need a tool purchased for your team, craft your message around the impact of the purchase and how it will increase net new logos or increase retention for your current customers. This could be in slide form, over slack, over email or even during 1:1s. Your job starts at no and under ...Read More

Influencing the C-suite happens in small settings. Depending how close to the office you are is corollary to how direct you can be with your resourcing request. When you get a chance to make a case, in a small setting, make sure you: Know your domain well. It's paramount that you truly understand the depth and breadth of your scope of responsibilities so you can observe these responsibilities from different lenses external to your domain. Know how your resource request drives/ impacts the big in ...Read More