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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]thanks much. I dont know much about SVP's priority because it's a different business function. i reached out on Thursday and she scheduled for Monday. [/quote]

Between now and then, you should research like crazy.  Don't try to become an expert in her area, but map out what you can offer to her business unit.  Do you have a skill set that her business needs?  Do you have communications skills (e.g., PowerPoint wizard)?  Do you know AI, information technology, project management, etc...?  At the very least, figure out what you can offer BEFORE you ask for help in resolving your problem.  You are asking her to expend political capital, which is the most valuable commodity an executive has within a company.  But remember, you will owe her big time if she chooses to help you (even if you have something she wants/needs).[/quote]

Say I am a powerpoint wizard, do I flat out say that? Do I just probe what her priorities are this year? When we met for coffee four years ago, it was very casual-- just talking about my work and the area where I lived where she was visiting.

Can you explain a little bit more about political capital? I dont want her to do anything crazy, I was just hoping that there might be a need in her team that I could fill. My manager wants me out anyway so I thought it would be a win win for everyone involved[/quote]

Despite some organizations moving away from it, PowerPoint is still the lifeblood for executives to put their best foot forward when presenting both UP (C-suite) and DOWN (rank-and-file).  The key to a good executive PowerPoint for UP is "don't waste their time" while for DOWN is "don't bore them".  Every slide matters in both contexts and a picture, graph, bar chart, etc... is often worth 1,000 words.  You don't need to brag about your skills.  Include it under a general discussion of your skill and value you offer.

Political capital refers to the trust, goodwill, and influence that an individual in an organization.  It is often built up over many years of exemplary service and executives are loathe to part with it unless there is a significant benefit to them.  In your situation, you are asking for two things: (i) relief from your current situation; and (ii) a new opportunity under the SVP.  The former will require the SVP to cross a line into another SVP or VP's territory (which is usually a no-no), while the latter requires budget and a headcount for you to occupy.  This is why you need to offer something valuable to the SVP to even get her to consider helping you.[/quote]

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