Ask the Business Coach Joyce K. Reynolds is an expert Business Coach who works with CEOs, Sr. Execs, entrepreneurs and countless others providing knowledge, solutions, motivation and support that assist her clientele in successfully meeting workplace challenges. Find out more about Joyce's coaching practice. Getting Noticed Question: My company is experiencing some pains due to our slow economy. So this year I'm not expecting a bonus, however I still want to make sure I have a review. When I asked my boss about reviews, he said that this year they weren't having reviews. I still want to make sure they are aware of my accomplishments. My division alone has increased our bottom line 20% while the rest of the company is experiencing negative growth. So how can I make sure I'm noticed? Tiffany Answer: You are absolutely right to want to pursue a review even if you know a raise will not accompany it. Your managers may be thinking that the primary reason for a review centers around money and they haven't registered on how important it is to the employees to complete this event - even without the promise of an increase. I would suggest that you ask your supervisor for a brief meeting on the subject of reviews. Make it clear with the request that there is no problem but that you have a suggestion you'd like to offer. When you get together, start by telling him that you are pleased to be working with the company and you understand the challenging times they are facing. Tell him that while you understand - for the moment - a raise might not be forthcoming - you'd still like to go on record with your accomplishments for the year. Go immediately into one of the examples you'd like to cite - e.g. that you are part of a division that increased the company's bottom line 20%. (And, no need to add the comparison to the rest of the company having experienced negative growth.) Present the fact that you would simply like this - and other such things - noted and get important feedback on your performance - that it would help you professionally and keep your morale high. Ask him to set a formal time to do that and, if he seems reluctant to commit to this, ask him directly what the issue is. Try to overcome any objections he might cite. If the company has simply set a binding decision in place to not do reviews, I would suggest that you do your own review on paper and submit it with a very polite request that it be put in your files. Also see: • Ask Joyce your workplace questions • More questions • One-on-one business coaching Disclaimer: The information in this column is intended to provide the reader with general ideas or concepts to be used as part of a broader base of knowledge they collect to determine their own best course of action and solutions most suitable for solving their workplace challenges. The information in this column is not guaranteed to be the appropriate solution for each individual.