Use power language: Words like experiment, test, pilot, trial, or prototype work like magic. You can minimize the risk when labeling your effort a test or pilot because tests are designed to be learned from, to be imperfect, to fail. In fact, when you run a test or trial, you win regardless of the outcome. For example, an office manager in a mid-sized office proposed to do the work of a clerk rather than incur the expense of hiring a new person. In exchange, he negotiated a 30 percent increase to be paid in a monthly bonus. He banked on the boss's concern about keeping the headcount low, and also presented the idea as a two-month trial, arguing that if the work was too much, he would be the first to call off the trial. His boss bought the idea in less than 10 minutes.