‫Using the budget as a conversation starter, everyone wants to discuss money, how can we save or how
‫can we make more of it?
‫The same goes in corporate America.
‫Whether you're at the starting point of asking for a budget and the middle of a program, or if your
‫program has ended, there are always points to highlight in team communications.
‫Let's go back to the initial ask when you're asking for money for your program or for your project.
‫Having both stakeholders and team members in the know are really a part of the process and persuading
‫others to adopt the proposed actions and for them to understand what is being communicated. When walking
‫and with your ask, you want to one share the project or program goals, two justify the budget request.
‫Three.
‫Have an action plan.
‫Or discuss how you plan to execute and implement.
‫Five, if you already have a similar project or program before.
‫Discuss what the feedback and what the results are from this particular program.
‫So many things to take into account when discussing communication.
‫So when we're going in for the US, we have to be sure we are prepared to answer those five questions.
‫Let's say we're in the middle of a project.
‫Communication is still vital.
‫Any time you have a chance to bring up what your program is doing and throw a gold star on the list.
‫That's how you're really going to influence leadership to add more money into your bucket.
‫You're going to quote unquote brag about your project, especially if you finish that particular project
‫and you were under budget.
‫This will highlight you as being not only a great leader, but a person who understands finances and
‫budgeting while keeping the company under budget.
‫This recognition could be beneficial and going in for the ask for your next program or project.
‫Again, you should share the feedback from your actual results.
‫Once your project is complete with all of those who have an interest in this particular project. Any
‫time you have the floor in a particular meeting, daily stand up corporate annual meetings, weekly
‫meetings or monthly meetings.
‫You definitely want to bring up where your project stands and the financial results.
‫There are so many examples of people waiting until the last minute to communicate the program's budget.
‫Let's say you have three months left on your program or project and you realize you're running out of
‫money.
‫You have three months left and you've never communicated this budget with anyone.
‫You've never told anyone the progress or the status.
‫Waiting until the last minute to request additional money can leave your project up in the air, depending
‫on your company and depending on what those rules and processes are.
‫It could take months for a new budget amount to be approved.
‫Also, think about these key things.
‫Is it a time of year where they're closing out the fiscal year?
‫Is it a time of year for auditing?
‫You have to understand the right time to ask for more money.
‫So at the very beginning, you need to ask those questions from your accounting and finance department.