Know Your Value

More than ever before, both job seekers and those who wish to remain employeed need to know and communicate their value to the organization.

Take time to know yourself. What do you bring to the table?

Ensure you have a clear definition of your value proposition and assessment of worth. Once you have details then you need to know how to clearly communicate it.

Management is looking for highlights of success. If you have accomplished something once, you are more likely to do it again.

No matter what your skill, job or background, make sure you have quantified your results. Quantitative numerics work the best. Like the saying, "if you measure it, you can improve it."

Examples of quantifible successes are:
• Increased revenue by ____
• Drove efficiency by ____
• Improved employee production by ____
• Increased client satisfaction by _____
• Improved X number of processes, improving profitability by _____

If you successfully define your value to the organization, you are prepared to gain the most. it may be in compensation (base, signing bonus, stock, benefits, relocation,
perks, etc) or it may be that your position is saved from this round of layoffs.

If you cannot define your value proposition, be prepared for the
employer to assess your value much lower than you wish, thus lowering your market ability and compensation.

Do you want to be the Most Admired company?

How does your company compare to Fortune's Most Admired Companies?

I find this annual listing is great to use to:

• benchmark your company practices against
• recruit talented

Companies are ranked on nine aspects:

• Innovation
• People management
• Use of corporate assets
• Social responsibility
• Quality management
• Financial soundness
• Long-term investment
• Quality of products/services
• Global competitiveness

You can find the top admired companies by industry and by state.

Check the list out
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2009/index.html

Source of Help with Paying for College

Saving for your college has gotten more difficult during these economic times. Here is one way to do so while you or your family go on with your everyday life. Upromise is a one-stop college service provider that helps families earn, save and pay for higher education.

With Upromise, families can automatically save money for college while making everyday purchases at grocery and drug stores, gas stations, restaurants, retail stores and online shopping sites. Upromise’s partners include Citi, ExxonMobil Corporation, McDonald’s, JCPenney.com, LandsEnd.com, Sears.com, and hundreds of others. Join now

Benefits of a Upromise membership:
• Earn college savings through eligible everyday spending.
• Start a college savings plan± and save money on taxes.
• Learn about ways to pay for college.
• Receive special discounts, bonuses, and money-saving offers.

5 Tips for Helping Employees Cut their Benefit Costs

Have you communicated recently to employees about their opportunities to cut benefit costs?

1. Practice prevention: Be healthy- take advantage of wellness programs, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
2. Seriously look at the health insurance options: Look at a high deductible plan. Before you make the decision, keep track of your medical expenses. Know what you have spent; your copays and deductibles as well as what the insurance covered. You don't want to switch and find out you have more out-of-pocket costs.
3. Cut the cost of prescription drugs: Prescription costs can eat up a large portion of your budget. Try ordering your prescriptions through the mail, using a traditional or online pharmacy. You can also ask your doctor to recommend a less-expensive generic drug. Take advance of the $4 and $10 copays offered by Walmart, Target and other pharmacies. You may also be able to deduct certain medical expenses at tax time; but you need to keep the receipts.
4. Check your medical bills: Check out your medical charges, make sure that you are being charged for appropriate services. It may save your money as well as the company. Check to see if your employer gives you an incentive for finding errors. Some employers will split the savings with you.
5. Get to know your health insurance policy: It may cover more than you think. Insurance companies often provide benefits designed to help you stay safe and healthy. Take advantage on it- you may receive discounts on vitamins, alternative medicines, and health club memberships, vision benefits. Also be aware of the additional costs if you go to the ER and are not admitted.

Gambling is not a solution to Economic Woes

The impact of compulsive gambling can be debilitating. It can affect public safety, impact family, friends and employers. Results of problem gambling can include: physical violence, emotional abuse, legal and financial costs. Unfortunately, statistics show that there is a growing number of Floridians involved in illegal activities due to problem and compulsive gambling.

There is help out there. Employers can become involved with The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) at no charge. The organization provides materials free of charge.

Increase awareness:

• Post information or a banner on your company website
• Share information through a newsletter article
• Distribute FCCG materials
• Have an FCCG representative come to your company and speak
• Encourage Employee Assistance Programs to screen employees for gambling problems

You can receive a FREE toolkit on problem gambling in the workplace, or call a confidential phone line at 1-888-ADMIT-IT (available 24 hours a day).

Helpline Specialist make referrals to local resources depending on the callers needs and circumstances. Services include:

1. Self-help groups
2. Professional treatment options
3. Financial counselors
4. Legal assistance

Undetected and untreated, a gambling problem can eventually turn a valuable employee into a liability. Some signs to look for include:

• Lost time and productivity
• Arguments from gambling losses or borrowed money
• Theft of company property
• Embezzlement or misappropriation of funds
• Misuse of company property
• Turnover

For more information go to the website http://www.gamblinghelp.org/