Whether you need additional funds or resources allocated to your team or require a spending account for miscellaneous work projects, asking for money at work can be a challenge. So how can you get what you need to do your job effectively? Here are a few tips to rely on when asking for a budget at work.
Focus on the Value
When asking for money at work, it’s likely your management team will want details. Of course, they’ll want to know what you will use the money for, but they’ll also want to know what the return on investment (ROI) will be. For instance, if they give you a marketing budget for a new project, what revenue will that project bring back to the organization as a whole? In other words, is the expenditure worth their investment? Those are the details you should think through before asking for additional money.
Set Up a Meeting
Sending an email asking for money is a bit impersonal and could result in an automatic “no.” So, set up a meeting and proactively have a conversation with your boss or management team. Talk through the questions and concerns they may have in person. This will showcase your confidence and allow your decision-makers to see the full picture.
Set the Stage
When throwing numbers out there, it’s important that you explain them. The more details you provide, the better. When you ask for a budget without context as to where you’re getting that amount, you may get pushback. Instead, support your ask with data. What are other organizations (i.e., competitors) doing? What was your budget last year, and why was it not sufficient? Explaining your budget needs and reasoning behind them is more likely to land you what you need.
Be Prepared
Whether you’re setting a meeting or conversing via email, you should always be prepared when you’re talking about budget. Your boss or management team will likely have questions. So, set yourself up for success by anticipating what questions they may have ahead of time and developing detailed responses. Educate yourself on the details surrounding your company’s decision-making processes. The more prepared you are, the more likely you will come across professionally and worthy of the budget you’re asking for.
Set Expectations
The “next steps” are always important to management, so you should always let them know what they are and their involvement. Is it as simple as approving the budget directly? Or do they need to involve other resources? Make sure you outline these stages, so the team has a full overview of the situation.
Asking for money, in any scenario, can be uncomfortable. These tips can help you ensure you get what you need to do your job as effectively as possible.