When companies decide to downsize and restructure, people whose skills need a major overhaul usually go first. Don't be an easy mark for the axe. Make yourself indispensable in the competitive, cutting edge work environment by constantly improving yourself --expand your knowledge and establish a solid network. Follow these steps and dramatically improve your market value.

Stretch yourself. Inventory your skills -- technical, artistic and people -- and challenge what you know. Find ways to learn new things: earn additional degrees, learn a new language or read professional journals. Everyone knows that education has a multiplier effect and, consequently, will improve your net worth. Remember that not only will the knowledge and skills boost your workplace value, it will enrich your life.

Be in the know. Keeping abreast of the events happening in workplace -- your department, the company you're working for and the companies that use your services --will give you hints as to which of your skills need improvement. Be on the lookout for any developments or changes that may cause your skills to become obsolete.

Be tech-savvy. As much as possible, go beyond basic word processing and spreadsheet knowledge. Know a little bit about troubleshooting. Learn some of the tech lingo. This will dramatically increase work effectiveness and efficiency and put you on the competitive edge.

Improve your communication skills. Don't shrink from the opportunity to convey your thoughts and ideas -- oral and written. Speak like a pro to increase your visibility and widen your network. Train yourself to write in a manner that is brief, specific, well organized, timely, factually accurate, properly formatted and grammatically correct.

Expand your network. Persistent and consistent networking will fuel professional success and dramatically increase opportunities. Research the background of people you want to know. Nurture relationships with regular contact.

Mind your manners. Learning and practicing the basics of etiquette will give you a competitive advantage over others. Use assertiveness without aggression. Know how to influence without being authoritative.