A definition of Proactivity:
Unrequested, relevant, valuable.
Think about your customers. How amazed would they be if you provided them something of value that was unexpected? What about providing a report and analysis on their target market and how demographics may have changed over the past 5 years? Or something like dropping in to see how a product you have sold them is doing and provide a demo on how to use it better? Obviously the nature of the outcome of your proactivity will be different depending on what product or service industry you are in, however the principle remains the same.
On the flipside, how can you be proactive for your boss or your shareholders? I’m sure they would love the sound of you wanting to set up a meeting to discuss a more efficient way of doing something that you have determined will save them time and money. They will be shaking your hand and offering you a promotion!
Proactivity – Unrequested, relevant, valuable.