Allies within the company

“A problem shared is a problem halved”. When it comes to working your way through the challenges that you face every day, it’s a great help to be able to draw on a network of supportive individuals that you can work with to find a solution. There are many of them. Of course you might expect certain help from them, but you also need to give something back.

Ally Can help you Expectations in return
Team Members Assist you with regular tasks
Be loyal
Be a sounding board
Deliver results
Information
Loyalty
Recognition
Credit – given both publicly and privately
Boss
Senior Management Members
Protect you
Champion you
Mentor
Loyalty
Support
Assistance with his/her tasks
Commitment
Willingness to go the extra mile
Image building
Support Staff Willing performance of day-to-day functions
Cooperation
Appreciation
Attention
Recognition
Gateway People (Secretaries, Executive Assistants) Provide you with access to crucial information and people Appreciation
Attention
Recognition
More Experienced Colleagues Provide expertise, perspective, contacts, knowledge Respect
Recognition
Attention
Clients Provide inputs for new product development initiatives
Provide referrals
Provide preferential status
Preferential status
Willingness to go extra mile
Business leads
Referrals
Vendors Provide extra assistance
Provide preferential status
Preferential status
Business leads
Referrals

Can’t come up with more examples at the moment. What do you think?