Karren Brady gives job advice from finding your voice at work to developing business ideas
APPRENTICE star and vice-chairperson of West Ham FC Karren Brady answers all your careers questions.
Today she helps out a woman struggling to find her voice and a man with a business idea he wants to develop.
Q. There are some big personalities at the company I work for. I want to make my mark, but I’m constantly being talked over as there’s a “whoever screams loudest” mentality. My manager’s advice was that I have to be more forceful, but that’s proving to be difficult. Do you have any advice for situations like these or how I can get my boss to help me be heard during meetings?
Lyn, via email
A. You are right, you should not need to shout to be heard – the best communicators are not those who bang on the table or raise their voice, but those who communicate with gravitas, passion and authority. I can only imagine your frustration at having a fantastic idea and, just as you are about to deliver the punchline, someone talks over you and derails it.
Getting heard is really about people respecting you. There are some direct and indirect tactics you can use to deal with this. Often, there is one person who interrupts everything, so instead of letting them hijack your moment, be assertive, stand your ground and keep talking. Some people don’t realise they are serial interrupters, so when colleagues interrupt, call them out on it and put the spotlight back on the person speaking.
When someone interrupts you, use body language to make the point that you have not finished, such as raising your hand. It’s good that you have been able to talk to your boss. Now suggest to them that they use tactics such as going around the table so everyone gets a chance to have their say. When it’s your turn, speak with conviction and be assertive but not aggressive. Make sure what you say is worth listening to, speak calmly at a low volume, and people should stop and listen.
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Bossing It is Fabulous’ series about ordinary women who have launched incredible businesses.
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Q. I have an idea for a dating app with a specific USP, and my next step is to ask a web developer to work on it and attempt to get funding to start up the business. My question is, how can I stop my idea from being stolen by someone I mention it to when I’m having these discussions? I thought about getting them to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), but would this be enforceable even if they did agree to sign it?
Shaun, via email
Yes, an NDA is an enforceable legal document, and one of the crucial pieces of paperwork you need to protect your idea. However, get this drafted by a lawyer, as it may prove very costly not to have done so in the long term.
You may also be able to apply for a patent, depending on how new and innovative your idea is – although this can take a long time, is expensive and is not always straightforward.
Trademark the name and logo ASAP, plus you may be able to trademark any unique features around functionality. There is also the option of copyrighting the app, which can protect things like graphics, text and content, and is a lot more straightforward than a patent.
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Finally, use the right type of company to produce your app, as businesses with great track records and excellent reputations employ good people who don’t tend to steal ideas!
- Got a careers question you want Karren to answer? Email [email protected].
Compiled by: Claire Frost
Karren cannot answer emails personally. Content is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
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