What can the new kid on the block do to succeed?

Today's agenda is exciting. Firstly, I am meeting with the Sydney team and restructuring that business. I then have a number of client meetings which will be great as it will allow me to touch our clients in a way email, phone and text cannot. It is always great to listen to their business stories and work out ways we can improve what we do to deliver a more compelling solution that gives each of our SMB clients a ROI.

As I sit in the Qantas Lounge, I can hear the conversation of four young executives beside me who clearly had a fabulous holiday but were equally excited to be back in the routine of work. They talked about being more organized and working more closely with senior management including putting their hands up for projects that they normally would shy away from. This got me thinking… what can a new kid on the block do in 2014 to succeed?

• Take the lead: there is no project on the planet that requires an "old hat" to take the lead, because like most things, it is irrelevant whether you are young or old. The only thing that is important is capability and passion. If you have both, take the lead.
• Come equipped with new ideas that may be outside the company's normal realm and don't be afraid to share it. You never know where that one great idea may take the business.
• Look at the business with a fresh set of eyes and imagine what you would do if you owned it. Feel free to write a one page summary of your findings.
• Better understand the company business plan and ensure that whatever your role is in this plan, that you have all the tools to do it right.
• Write down your on-boarding experience and share with HR or senior management with suggestions on how you would improve it. 
• Put a meeting in your supervisors diary for one months time and work your hardest to stand out, achieve goals and deliver on everything you promised while making sure you take time to get to know everyone around you - then tell your supervisor your dreams and ask them what you need to do to get there.

Not exactly rocket science, but nevertheless some things to think about!