Most of us hate to ask for a pay rise.

We loathe being put in a position where we have to place a value on ourselves, dreading we may discover that our employer doesn’t hold us in the same esteem. 
 
It’s hard not to take it personally but it’s not all about you as a person. Rather it has more to do with the quality of the work you do. And it’s even more about the value your station places on that work that determines whether you earn (earn being the operative word) the big bucks or not. If management can directly gauge the revenue you bring to the station, then you’ll be rewarded accordingly.
 
If you’re a presenter, your salary package may provide for generous bonuses for every percentage point you gain in audience share. If you can consistently pull double figures in a metro daypart then you can expect a six or seven figure income and perks like on-site parking close to the entrance too. Also, you can avoid those pesky wage negotiations altogether by retaining a personal manager to do your bidding for you. 
 
If you’re in sales, then the difference between success and failure is based almost entirely on the dollars you bring in and the commissions that flow from beating targets. Nothing can be more transparent. 
 
If you work in areas such as, production, creative, IT, promotions, reception and other support staff, even middle management, the lines that determine your performance are more blurred. Nonetheless, you bring value to the company because without the job that you do, the place would eventually come to a grinding halt.
 
So, how do you gauge the value you bring to your organisation? 
 
Radio Hall of Fame inductee, Graham Mott has been a “boss” for most of his 49 years in the radio industry, first as a Program Director, then General Manager and as CEO of the Fairfax Radio Network. From his wealth of experience, he offers the following advice. 
 
Leaving out sales people and on-air performers – the measurement of account managers is relentless and so too are the audience ratings, so let’s deal with “everyone else.”
 
Everyone else, so to speak, plays a vital support role for the company.  Sales and on-air rely heavily for the various support arms in a radio station, so if that’s you here’s some suggestions:

• Be aware of what you do to make sales and/or on-air work well;
• Build strong relationships with sales and on-air;
• Be reliable and work efficiently so that you become a go-to person;
• Always be positive – even when you don’t feel too well or you’re having an off day;
• Smile a lot – your enthusiasm will rub off on others.

 Mr Mott also offers these Do’s and Don’ts
 

 
If you do these things consistently you will be noticed by those around you and they’ll spread the word about you. Praise from your colleagues will go a long way and give you a much better chance to be noticed and rewarded.