How to get things done Part1

Something bizarre happened today. I asked something to be done, and it actually got done quickly! Now you are probably asking why is this bizarre?

In big firms, there is a lot of bureaucracy to get something done. The change I wanted was small, but it could have other ramifications. Most of the people I spoke to said I'd have pretty small chance of getting it done soon.
I put down the quick response to a few things, which I'll share with you. It seems obvious, yet you can easily forget any of these.

1. Find the exact person to talk to: In most firms, there is some highly complex 'ticketing' system when you request a change. If you don't fill in the fields correctly, your service ticket will bounce between people, all of whom don't really want to look after your problem. Often your co-workers will know who was the person who looked after similar problems before. So the best thing to do is email that person and then state your problem and ask if you need to raise a ticket. The ticketing system is still good, since it means you can priotise work, and the person answering it gets recognition, but by asking someone directly, it means you can write the ticket to go to the correct person first go.

2. State your request clearly. If I don't see something numbered and easy to do, chances are I won't do it. So don't say things in a roundbout way, but just say, I want A, B, C done by preferably Y at the latest. This basically means it'll be done by 5mins to Y, but better than two weeks after Y.

3. Allay any fears: People are scared that when they do something for you, that they'll be creating more problems for themselves later. Make it obvious that its a simple one off thing. You're not lying, you're just being optimistic...

5. Follow-up. Everyone loves recognition for doing a job well, but people are lazy giving recognition out. In bars, we tip, partly to recognise and appreciate their work, but more realistically its because we want to given just as good service next time.
In firms we can't do that, so we do the next best thing. Tell that person's supervisor that your needs were helped by their help.