An asset is something that puts money in your pocket in the world of finance. An employee is hired to do the same thing for a company in the business world. An employee earns money for themselves and their employer by applying their knowledge and skills. An employee's value to a company can grow to the point where they are indispensable over time. Follow the steps below to become an asset to your company.

[1.] Outperform expectations.

You will have a specific job role at the company you work for, and this is how you make money for the company. If you can't do your job well, you'll lose customers and become a liability, which means you'll cost the company money. To do your job well, you must learn how to do it according to the company's standards. Learn from your coworkers, find a mentor, enroll in training courses, and be eager to learn as much as possible. The outcomes of your work will ultimately be used to evaluate you. This is the most crucial part. The entire reason the company hires you is for you to perform in this job role. Carry it out correctly.

Self-improvement and networking are important, but if they cause your performance to suffer, you're not doing yourself any favors. Consider your company's return on investment (ROI). How much do you make for them in comparison to your salary? This will help you frame your contributions and identify ways to increase your measurable value.

[2.] Set priorities for tasks.

Organize your tasks from most important to least important. When you've determined the most important 20% of your tasks, separate them from the rest. Spend the majority of your time and effort on these, leaving the others to be finished quickly when necessary. This will allow you to focus your efforts on the most important tasks rather than spreading yourself too thin between critical and non-critical tasks.

[3.] Make an extra effort.

When the clock strikes five o'clock, valuable employees do not stop working. If you have project work to do, stay late and complete what you can after hours. Bring your work with you when you go home and complete it around family time. Always be prepared to respond to after-hours emails. This extra effort will help you stand out as a hard worker. Understand that this is not overtime that requires extra pay, but rather additional work with no expectation of extra pay. Going above and beyond should also apply to the quality of your work. Some people do a good job and then leave, whereas others offer to do more.

Some employees, for example, will offer to mentor, train new employees, and recommend more efficient working procedures. Consider organizing charity and social events that bring employees together while also benefiting the community. This will improve both your reputation and the reputation of your company.

[4.] Develop your ability to self-start.

For good reason, employers frequently encourage their employees to be "self-starters." Employees who identify problems and take the initiative to solve them save their bosses time and effort by not waiting to be asked to do so. Do not seek approval before beginning additional work or carrying out a customer request; simply carry it out. If you have an idea that could add value to the company, talk to your manager about it.

[5.] Be fully responsible.

A valuable employee is one who consistently meets and exceeds the expectations of their position and managers. To earn the reputation of a responsible employee, provide dependable work and consistently meet deadlines. Your mistakes are also your responsibility. When you make a mistake, own it by admitting the error and accepting responsibility, then working quickly to find a solution. Overall, strive to establish a reputation as someone your employer can rely on.

[6.] Aim for the status of expert.

Be the best at your job, not just the best at it. If you want to be truly valuable to the company, establish yourself as an expert in your field. Learn everything there is to know about your role first, and strive to excel at every task you are assigned. Then, figure out how to do the tasks that your coworkers do that are similar to your own. Look for details or facts that no one else is aware of.

Read trade publications and relevant news articles to stay up to date on industry news. As a result, you will become the person to whom everyone turns for information. If available, you can solidify your expert status by obtaining industry or occupation-specific certifications.

[7.] Learn new skills.

Having a broader skill set can help you branch out in your current position and stay on board if the company decides to lay off some workers. Consider learning skills that your coworkers have, even if they aren't required for your job. These could include technical or vocational abilities. You could even try learning a second language to increase your value. Just make sure to learn one that will be useful to your company; learning Russian will be useless if your company only operates in the United States and Mexico.

[8.] Take advice from a mentor.

Make an effort to connect with someone higher up in the company than you. This mentor can provide you with in-depth knowledge of the company's operations as well as advice on how to succeed as an employee. Working with this person demonstrates to your superiors that you want to learn and grow within the company. It can even help you establish yourself as a driven employee.

[9.] Create a strong network.

A strong network is a valuable tool that can be used to increase your own value at work or your value to a potential employer. Develop a network with your coworkers and other departments at work. You should also look outward to clients and other industry members. Develop and maintain strong relationships with these individuals. Being known as the employee with connections that can be used to solve problems is extremely valuable.

Build your network both inside and outside of your company. Attend work functions, conferences, and industry events to network with industry professionals. Then, keep in touch with your contacts on a regular basis.

Provide favors to your contacts without expecting them to be returned. This is a good way to strengthen your relationship with them and build a strong network that you can use to advance your own career.

Getting published in the media or industry journals is another way to strengthen your network. This will raise awareness of your name and the name of your company, potentially leading to increased recognition and business opportunities.

[10.] Participate actively in company projects.

Bring something new to the company by being innovative. Create new ideas that could be implemented throughout the company. Just make sure you get credit for your contributions. Otherwise, you may be assisting your boss's success while not moving up yourself.

Concentrate on working effectively with your team or group, as these abilities are critical for demonstrating management potential and utility to the company.

[11.] Continue your education.

Higher education may be worthwhile depending on your job. Some positions, for example, may require a bachelor's or graduate degree, which means that if you want to advance, you'll need to get the necessary education. Even if you don't need it for a specific job, a degree can make you a more competitive applicant for any role. It can also teach you how to improve your knowledge and productivity.

Make sure to weigh the costs of higher education against the benefits; you don't want to be hurt by debt hanging over your head. Your company may provide allowances for or provide continuing education for its employees. Consult your boss and/or human resources for more information.

You can also cut your continuing education costs and time commitment by studying online with a self-paced course. This allows you to learn without interfering with your work schedule.

[12] Always be on time.

If you start work at 9 a.m., arrive at 8:45 a.m. This way, you'll have time to make a quick drink before starting work on time. Time is money, and an employee who is consistently late may cost the company money. You should ideally arrive and begin work before other employees. Building trust begins with punctuality. Your goal is to give the impression that you care about the work you're doing more than just meeting the job's basic requirements.

[13] Obey company policy.

You should dress and act in accordance with your company's policies both inside and outside of the office. You represent the company as an employee. In an office, for example, a shirt and tie may be required. Personal protection equipment may be required if you work on a construction site. In all cases, follow the company's conduct standards.

Although a company's dress code is always stated, there may be occasions when you are unsure what to wear. For example, you may be attending a conference and are unsure whether to dress formally or casually. In these situations, it is always best to seek advice from a more senior member.

[14.] Be aware of the dangers of social media.

Social media is intended for the exchange of ideas. However, anything you post to a social media account these days may be seen by your employer. As a result, never include negative comments about the company, your managers, customers, or other employees in your posts. You should also refrain from making racist, insensitive, violent, or distasteful remarks.

A good rule of thumb is to never post anything that you would not want your mother to see.

Never share confidential company information on social media. Any post that is offensive or violates company policy may result in your termination.

[15.] Maintain a professional demeanor.

When you enter the workplace, you should leave your personal life at the door. Even if your home is a disaster, don't let it show at work, and certainly don't bring it up or complain about it. You want to be known as someone who is upbeat and hardworking, not as someone who is constantly dealing with personal problems. This will attract the wrong kind of attention.

[16] Maintain a positive attitude. It is critical to be friendly with coworkers. Your coworkers may require assistance at times, and they may find it difficult to approach you for assistance if you are aggressive or unpleasant. Being approachable contributes to a positive work environment. Make an effort to be the person who everyone enjoys working with. Regardless of how you feel about a situation or a coworker, never gossip or get involved in office politics.

[17] Maintain your health.

To be at your best throughout the workday, remember to take care of your own health. Staying active, eating well, and drinking plenty of water will provide you with the mental clarity you require to perform well. It will also improve your professional appearance and your mood. Bring healthy lunches and snacks to work, and try taking a walk during the day to improve your health.