Finding Your Way

Have you ever had that Ah Ha moment?

An experience when you learned something about yourself. Or thought, I'll never make that mistake again! My moment can best be summed up by three words; preparation, passion, and presence.

I feel that these three words are the cornerstone of effective speaking and presenting for me. Now don't get me wrong. There are many wonderful and effective books telling us how to communicate. I have read my share. However, it all came together this week in these three words.

Preparation
I decided to sit down and finally view the audio and visual posts of prior Toastmaster speeches I had given. Many of us, do not like to look at picture of ourselves, that was my first challenge. After I got beyond the initial yuck of it all, I had several take-aways. The speeches done last minute needed more focus, structure and clarity. The key is preparation!

Passion
Did you feel the passion as you watched the Olympics or the Democratic and Republican Convention Speeches? People are looking for inspiration. Everyone was out of their seats watching the records being broken during the swimming competition. Hopes and Dreams were communicated during the Conventions. Passion leads to action and the benefit of being passionate about a cause, your work seems much easier to accomplish.

Presence
Today it is easy to multi-task. Read your emails while watching TV; texting while you carry on a conversation with a loved one; open the mail while talking on the phone - yet we aren't doing any of them 100%. I was fortunate enough to attend a speech given by the actor, Danny Glover. He started out by reading us the history, statistics and even the health benefits of volunteering. However, it wasn't until he began to speak about his mother, that he connected with the audience. We began to hang on his every word, when he passionately looked at us and implored that we become involved in community for the future of our country.

My Ah Ha moment this week reminded me that I must prepare, have passion for my subject matter and be present; not only for my Toastmaster speeches but also in everything that I desire to do well.

Total Rewards Web Links

PHR/SPHR - Total Rewards Class - Web Links

The SHRM Learning System recommended several links to assist you with studying or additional research you may want to do to clarify questions. You no longer have any excuses - here they are for your easy access.

It is a click away - Download the information to supplement your study materials. Here's to your success!

Web Links:

To learn more about the Independent Contractor Rules - Publication 15A - Supplemental Tax Rules
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15a.pdf

To learn more about FLSA "Compensatory Time" and FLSA "Compensatory time off"
http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/Title_29/Part_553/29CFR553.22htm

All employers can get a free copy of the "Federal Minimum Wage" poster by going to the Department of Labor site
http://www.dol.gov/

The legal publisher Commerce Clearing House has prepared a list of tips for employers regarding regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Access this list
http://cch.com/press/news/2004/20040329h.asp

There are many web sites that publish compensation survey results by occupation and location. One example is the BLS Web site - Bureau of Labor Statistics "programs and surveys"
http://www.bls.gov/bls/proghome.htm

American Payroll Association - source of information, networking, courses, vendors and membership
http://americanpayroll.org/

For more information on compliance with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, see the regulations at the Department of Health and Human Services and consult a benefits advisor or legal counsel
http://www.hhs.gov/

Employers must provide employees with notice of their rights and obligations under USERRA whether or not the employer has employees serving in the military. To learn "Your Rights Under USERRA" and download the poster which must be posted go to
http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/poster.htm

Want to learn more about the Department of Labor's Final Regulations Interpreting USERRA go to. Also note that many state laws may provide protection to employees beyond what USERRA goes. Employees are entitled to the maximum protection afforded under federal and/or state law.
http://www.kushnerco.com/article.php?fileName=userra

For additional information on your obligations as an employer go to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - "Employer and Union Plan Sponsor Information" Medicare Part D
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/EmplUnionPlanSponsorInfo

New Way to Save for Retirement: Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) Accounts
http://www.kushnerco.com/article.php?fileName=roth401k

Qualified versus Non-qualified Stock Options
http://www.aigclaw.org/tic25.html

To learn more about how HRA's work go to the article, "IRS and Treasury Department Release Guidance on Health Reimbursement Accounts"
http://www.kushnerco.com/articles/hra.pdf

To learn more about the U.S. Social Security Administration "International Agreements, Payments Outside the United States, and Social Security in Other Countries" go to
http://www.ssa.gov/international

Other Resources:

Society for Human Resource Management
http://www.shrm.org/

WorldatWork (formerly American Compensation Association)
http://www.worldatwork.com/