Delivering Annual Bonuses for Maximum Employee Retention - Your Career Intel

Delivering Annual Bonuses for Maximum Employee zurckhalten - Your Career IntelFor many, draufgabees average 10-20% of their salary. And for those in areas of finance like hedge funds and investment banking, performance-based bonuses can account for as much as 90% of total compensation for the year.The stakes are as high for managers as they are for employees, especially when bonuses are lean. A happy employee almost guarantees retention while an unhappy employee is likely to consider employment elsewhere. As a recruiter in the accounting and finance industries, Ive seen plenty of employees come looking for new opportunities after receiving a bonus that they felt failed to adequately recognize their contributions. This is especially the case if the employees dont have reason to believe future years will be any different. In fact, many companies start actively recruiting in January, knowing that talent will be ripe for the picking.With the economy still recovering slowly, many managers will have difficult news to deliver. You may notlage be able to change the numbers but you can manage expectations and control the delivery.Heres how to deliver those bonus numbers while maximizing retention. Communicate Consistently and TransparentlyI advise my clients to communicate bonus structures to candidates even before they accept the job. Usually theres a formula that incorporates company performance, division/group performance, and individual performance. The first two are largely out of the employees hands so focus on the individual performance piece, which is under their control, and how that is assessed.Good managers continue to communicate this information throughout the year, consistently offering feedback on improvement areas that will impact their bonus and giving the opportunity to take control of the elements that they can. By the time bonuses roll around, your gruppe should already know where they stand and why. Dont Shrug it OffEven if you control your teams ex pectations, the outcome can still be disappointing. No manager wants to be the bad guy so its natural instinct to position the number as out of your hands and downplay the significance. Managers say some version of -Its been a tough year for the industry but everyones bonus took a hit so its not just you. What your employee hears is dont be disappointed, its not that big of a deal. Being told the lower bonus isnt a big deal only exacerbates the disappointment by marginalizing your employees emotions. Avoid this problem by being empathetic and validating any feelings of grasplatz or frustration. I know youre disappointed in this number. I would be disappointed too. If they need to vent, listen and sympathize. Then pivot and bring their focus to the positive. Emphasize PerformanceEmployees want to feel valued. Great managers tell their valuable employees they are valued all year long and now is the time to assure them their bonus reflects that even if it doesnt feel like it. Make sure your high performing employees know how they measured up to their peers both financially and in performance. While you may not be able to offer more money, sharing that they outperformed their peers is valuable in itself. Focus on the FutureNow its time to engage your employees in their future success and that of the company. This is critical for retention. If you had a bad year and thats an anomaly make it clear that the track record shows the numbers will rebound. Give them reasons to believe the future is bright if you can do so truthfully.Talk to them about their career growth over the next year new projects, new responsibilities, development opportunities, and potential promotions. Share what exciting developments they can expect from the company and the opportunities they may present. Let them know that you are their partner in helping them grow their career.Been through this process? Share your tips for a smooth bonus delivery below.

How To Buy A House An 8-Step Guide

How To Buy A House An 8-Step Guide Buying a house is a huge step forward. Being a first-time home buyer is super exciting, and purchasing property one of the fruchtwein terrifying decisions you can make in your adult life. But all it takes to make it the best investment for your future is a plan and a calculator and a glass of wine doesnt hurt.Heres a step-by-step guide on how to buy a house to get you from renting to a mortgage is no time.1. Its a good idea (read necessary) to get all of your finances in order.Now that youve decided to take on the title of home owner, you need to be honest with yourself about the state of your finances. You need to know your leistungspunkt score, how much you have in savings, the amount of debt you carry each month school loans, car payment, insurance, credit cards, and other mandatory monthly payments. These three factors will contribute to how much you can afford as a first-time buyer.2. Any potential buyer should set a (rough) budget. Once you have broken down how much your gross income is per month and the amount of debt you carry, you can departure looking at how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford. When buying real estate, keep in mind that your monthly mortgage payment includes the interest from your loan, the principle amount, homeowners insurance, and property taxes. There are mortgage calculators that can help you work out an estimate of what your monthly payment could be.3. Find a lender or broker. Both a lender and broker are there to help you secure a loan. The difference is that a lender is a financial institution that will directly set the loan up with you, whereas a broker is someone that will find you a lender for your loan. It can be a good idea to use a broker, especially as a first-time home buyer, because they may work with lots of lenders and could potentially secure you a better rate by shopping around. Another option is to find a real estate agent who you trust and have them recommend a broker or lender typically a real estate agent works with a handful of lenders.4. Get preapproved. After youve chosen who to work with, whether a real-estate agent, broker, lender, or some combination, the next step is getting preapproved. You will fill out an application sometimes there is a fee involved and the lender will take a hard long look at what youve got going on in your bank account. From there, he or she will give you a definitive amount of house that you can afford. Then comes the fun part.*It is important to make sure you are preapproved and not prequalified. Prequalified just means you have met with a lender who has taken a look at your finances and given you a general estimate on how much you can afford without a hard credit pull or close up view of your financial situation whereas preapproved means you have been okayed to purchase a house for X amount of money.5. Find your dream home. Once you have your preapproval, you can connect with a realtor and start fin ding homes that match your target mortgage and needs. It is possible to go it alone, but working with a realtor provides a lot of benefits, especially if youre a first-time buyer such as access to houses outside of open houses, someone who can guide you through the contract, and someone who has your back when it comes to negotiating and setting up the appraisals and inspections that are required once you have an offer that is accepted. And as a buyer, realtor fees are free, Keller Williams Realtor and Certified Investor Agent Specialist Gabrielle Lee says.6. Put in an offer. Unlike with a rental property, when youve found the home you want to start your life in, you and your realtor will put in an offer. There may be some back and forth with the seller depending on the purchase price. And if your offer is a little too low or there are multiple offers, you may be asked to come back to the seller with your highest and best. But, for the most part, this stage is a little hands off unt il your offer is accepted. 7. Set up your inspection. In California, you have 17 days to do all inspections, Lee says. Other states may be different, but your realtor will let you know what you need to have done. Typically, you need to set up an appraisal and any inspections like pest or roof within a certain amount of time for the deal to go through. Also, during this time youll need to provide an earnest money deposit upfront. This goes to the title company to show that you are serious and that you have funds in the bank. Its immediate and separate from your loan, which has 21 days to go through.Depending on what the appraisal and inspections pull up about the house, its very important to keep a contingency fund for any repairs that may need to be done before you move in. 8. Move in. Pay your closing costs and hire the movers. Congratulations, youre a home owner No more landlords telling you what to paint your walls or noisy neighbors knocking on your door at four in the morning for cups of sugar.But the most important of any of these is to start The best step is to do it, Lee says. There are so many programs like down payment assistance or credit help to help get you into a house of your dreams. I have been working with a couple with a year and a half and we just closed on a house for them. It might take a little time, but its so so worth it. You just have to start the process.--Alexandra Deabler is a writer and editor. She has published articles about California history, travel, lifestyle, personal essays, and short fiction. She lives in New York City and can be reached through her websitealexandradeabler.com.

The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women

The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women No matter your job, you always want to show up to work looking professional.A strict workplace dress code can raise fears like Is this okay? and Is this professional enough? On the flip side, if your job allows you to dress casually, its easy to get lazy and when you dont put in the effort to look put-together, you can come across as disrespectful.To help you avoid the stress of getting dressed for work, here are a fewessential items youll need if youre to build a wardrobe that will make you look and feel professional1. A Shift DressShift dresses are the perfect go-to pieces for professional settings. Aim to have at least one in a solid neutral color and another in a print. These super versatile dresses can be formal or casual, and they can be worn with layers like blazers, sweaters, and scarves.The best part? A shift dress is a one-step outfit. When youre in a rush, you can just throw one on and he ad out the door without worrying. Make sure the dresses you choose hit you at the knee and arent too tight. The optimal shift dress should have a structured look and skim over your body.2. Minimalist BasicsKeep classic staples like white button-downs and black slacks and skirts at the forefront of your closet. These minimal pieces can function as professional bases for your outfits, helping you get dressed more quickly. Sure, you can keep that funky skirt or top for special occasions, but when it comes to your day-to-day look, you cant beat a simple white top and black pants.If minimalism isnt your thing, dress up your basics with accessories that let your personality show through. A colorful scarf, a trendy pair of shoes, or a bold necklace can help keep an outfit from feeling completely stuffy.3. The Perfect BlazerWhen youre aiming for professionalism, you cant go wrong with a well-tailored blazer. Whether you choose a structured, suit-like navy option or a casual longline duster in a trendy neutral color, the blazer is a must. It adds layers and depth to your look while remaining professional. On a practical level, a blazer helps keep you warm in the colder months (or in a chilly air-conditioned office).Dress your blazer up with slacks and a button-down for a client meeting, or use it to add structure to jeans and a t-shirt in a casual setting. A high-quality blazer that fits you properly can be a significant investment, but its well worth it. The blazer will become an important staple in your business wardrobe, one that youll consistently reach for each morning, knowing youll look and feel confident in it.The Right Pieces Help You Shine at WorkKeep in mind your personal preferences as youre shopping for professional wardrobe staples. You can make even the strictest dress code work for you, whether youre more comfortable in a fancy skirt or a low-key pair of trousers. Acknowledging your preferences will help you feel confident when it comes to curating your wardrobe and that can improve your attitude at work. When you feel comfortable, you appear sure of yourself, and your coworkers and bosses will notice.If youre building a professional wardrobe from scratch and dont want to break the bank, head to secondhand shops and consignment stores to find high-quality, business-ready essentials at a major discount.Lastly, remember to get dressed with intention every morning. Try not to get into too much of a routine, where getting dressed becomes boring. Just because youve curated the perfect work-ready closet and getting dressed seems easier doesnt mean you should just go through the motions. Intentional dressing will help your overall attitude and ensure that you show up to work every day looking professional and feeling your best.Rebecca Piersol curates content for The Crystal Press and writes for thredUP.

Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in Kenya

Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in Kenya Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in Kenya Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in KenyaJune 9, 2017 Brian Gitta demonstrates his teams entry, Matibabu, a non-invasive Malaria testing device. Gitta welches one of the three grand-prize winners at ISHOW Kenya in May. (Photo by Marilyn Parker) The creators of three new social innovations a device for detecting malaria, a portable science lab, and a glove that translates sign-language were named the grand-prize winners at the recent ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) in Nairobi, Kenya, which was the second of three regional ISHOWs the Society is holding this spring. A total of 10 teams presented their inventions at ISHOW Kenya, which was held May 25 in Nairobi at the Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi Hotel. The first competition of the 2017 ISHOW season, ISHOW India, was held in Bengaluru in April. A third event, ISHOW USA, will take place later this month in Washington, D.C. Cha rles Antipem (far left), explains his product, Science Set, to several attendees at ISHOW Kenya. (Photo by Marilyn Parker)The 10 ISHOW Kenya finalists presented prototypes of their hardware-led innovations to a panel of judges and advisors that included entrepreneurs, academics and founders of venture-funded startup companies. The three grand-prize winners who hail from Uganda, Ghana and Kenya will share in more than $500,000 in cash prizes and in-kind technical support, including an extensive design and engineering review of their products.Brian Gitta of Uganda was one of the three winners for his entry, Matibabu, a non-invasive Malaria testing device that employs custom-made hardware that is connected to a smart phone to enable easy at-home diagnoses. Gitta and his team developed Matibabu with the goal of reducing the number of people suffering from the life-threatening disease, lessen the severity of their symptoms, and decrease the amount of time and medication necessary to treat Malaria patients. Roy Allela (center), the founder of Sign-IO, accepts his trophy from LR Kamau Gachigi (left), CEO of Gearbox Dr. Robert Karanja (second from right), CEO of Villgro Kenya and Paul Scott (right), director of the ASME ISHOW program. (Photo by Marilyn Parker)The second grand-prize winner, Charles Antipem of Ghana, is the inventor of Science Set, an inexpensive, portable and highly scalable science lab that can fit in a students bag or on a desk top. With the affordable mini-science lab, Antipem and his team hope to transform the state of education in Ghana and the rest of Africa by making the kit widely available to students, which in turn will hopefully show them first-hand that science can be both fun and exciting.Roy Allela of Kenya, the third grand prize winner, is the creator of Sign-IO, a sign-language-to-speech translation glove that was developed to help sign language users communicate with the general public. The device is intended to help the more than 30 million speech-impaired people throughout the world better interact with those who dont understand sign language. The speech translation glove identifies letters as they are signed and transmits this data to an Android application that converts it into spoken words. Sign-IO, one of the three winning products at ISHOW Kenya, is a sign-language-to-speech translation glove that was developed to help sign language users communicate with the public at large. (Photo by Marilyn Parker)ansicht three winners of ISHOW Kenya are prime examples of the programs goal of creating a community of innovators and entrepreneurs whose products will have a positive impact on the world. The unique solutions of our three African winners will radically transform and elevate the way their beneficiaries live, allowing them to thrive in ways that were previously impossible, said Keith Roe, president of ASME. Their display of creativity and ingenuity, and that of their peers, fully embodies the spirit of t he ISHOW and exemplifies the potential of tomorrows engineering problem-solvers and business leaders.Judges and advisors at ISHOW Kenya included Heather Fleming, chief executive officer of Catapult Design Dr. Kamau Gachigi, executive director of Gearbox June Madete from Kenyatta University Dr. Robert Karanja, CEO of Villgro Kenya and Thomas G. Loughlin, executive director of ASME.The third and final 2017 ASME ISHOW, ISHOW-USA, will take place June 22 from 600 p.m. to 800 p.m. at the District Architecture Center in Washington, D.C. For information on the 10 finalists who will be participating, visit https//thisishardware.org/competition/2017/usa.For more information the ISHOW program and a complete list of the ISHOW Kenya finalists, visit the competition website at https//thisishardware.org.

4 ways to deal in the office when an outside crisis is all you can think about

4 ways to deal in the office when an outside crisis is all you can think about4 ways to deal in the office when an outside crisis is all you can think aboutWith so many seasons in our lives, some are bound to be tougher than others. Heres how to cope in the office when unrest at home is taking its toll on you.Dont overshare at workWhile weve found that experts have varying opinions on this topic, you dont want to share too much at work. As emotional intelligence expert Harvey Deutschendorf told Ladders, while you dont want to completely shut people out, you shouldnt mention anything that could be held against you later or hurt your reputation.But this should be done on a case-by-case basis.Vicky Oliver, author of Bad Bosses, Crazy Co-Workers and Other Office Idiots, told Ladders that you shouldassess corporate culture at your workplace before deciding to confide in someone.Just make sure that if you do decide a coworker, its someone you really trust.But dont bottle it up - talk to y our support system outside of workIf big changes happening outside of work are making it difficult to focus, you may find it beneficial to talk those you care about the most. They can help ground you when managing a constant stream of duties both in the office and at home becomes really difficult.And who knows? Talking it out might even help you put things into perspective.Take advantage of employer resourcesThey might be right under your nose.Melody J. Wilding, a licensed social worker and Master Coach who teaches human behavior at The City University of New York, writes about this in The Muse.Many of us work for the same company for years and yet have no idea of the benefits available to us. Does your company offer childcare, counseling, or legal services? Many of these lesser-known benefits can ease the financial and emotional burden when a personal crisis strikes, she writes.Wilding goes on to mention that you should come up with a list of things that would maximize your product ivity during your crisis - such as working remotely while you visit family or reducing your hours for a couple weeks - and ask your babo if he or she can grant your requests.Meet with your boss about work expectationsJust be strategic about it.Amy Gallo, Harvard Business Review contributing editor and author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict at Work, features advice from Anne Kreamer, author of Its Always Personal, in the publication.Its also a good idea to loop your boss into whats happening, assuming you feel comfortable doing so. If you have a very close relationship, tell them first and brainstorm ideas for reducing or covering your workload. But, in most cases, Kreamer says, its best to talk to your manager when you already have some notion of how you intend to handle the problem. Run a tentative plan by your manager, outlining the time period you expect to be absent or working less, the colleagues who might step up for you, and whether youve already discussed that po ssibility with them. Then ask for your bosss input, Gallo writes.

This is what happens in your brain when you sleep

This is what happens in your brain when you sleepThis is what happens in your brain when you sleepAlthough sleeping can feel as effortless as turning off the lights and waking up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, your brain is way more active at night than you may think.While you sleep, your brain cycles through two distinct stages of sleep rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). The latter stage is broken down into three different pieces, and you can see how they differ in the infographic below, along with why REM stands alone as its own stage. You complete several full sleep cycles throughout the night, each lasting from 90 to 110 minutes, with your REM stages increasing in length as the night goes on. Keep reading to find out whats really going on behind the scenes in your brain when you sleep.Thispostwas originally published onSwirled.comin the Thrive section, which covers valuable career and personal finance content for Millennials.

Yahoo Career and Employment Information

Yahoo Career and Employment InformationYahoo Career and Employment InformationInterested in a career atYahoo Holdings Inc.?As a world leader in online media, Yahoo offers search, media products, mobile, integrated consumer experiences, and applications in more than 30 languages. While the company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, there are over two-dozen offices across the U.S. and inlocations around the globe. Careers at Yahoo For those seeking a workplace that deeply values employees, innovation, and collaboration, a career at Yahoo may be the ideal fit. Yahoo Job SearchJob seekers cansearch and apply for jobs at YahoothroughOath, Yahoos umbrella company. On the job search page, you can find jobs in Yahoo Entertainment, YahooSports, YahooFinance, YahooMail, YahooHomepage, or for a broader scope, you can search companywide. All these options are found in the Oath Brands drop-down list. You can also filter by keyword, area of interest, and location. There are hundreds of job opp ortunities in areas like software engineering, web development, administration, business development, legal, human resources, content, and more. Interested applicants can also search for Yahoo positions and learn more about available positions throughGoogle,Indeed,Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Type in a keyword and/or location to narrow your search and the websites will generate opportunities. If you are open to a range of positions and willing to relocate, you can search forYahoo careers on one of the above search engines for a high volume of results. Yahoo Job ApplicationsOnce youfind a position of interestat Yahoo, create your profile, download your resume, and apply through the website. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you may also apply using your account. Once your application is received, you will be notified by email. If human resources (HR) thinks you might be a match, you will be contacted for either a phone or in-person interview. There is also ajob search alert, where you can submit your resume and keywords to be alerted if a job matching your interests becomes available. The HR department also scans available resumes for appropriate candidates. Students from schools where Yahoo recruits can submit their resumesthrough their career center. Applicants attending other schools can apply directly through the website by searching for opportunities, creating a profile, and submitting a resume. Yahoo Internships Yahoooffers a range of internships with competitive wages for students interested in learning about careers in digital media. At Yahoo, students gain excellent experience while also learning the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the industry and in the corporate landscape. To that end, the internships reflect what it would be like to work at the company on a day-to-day basis. A successful internship could even become a full-time job. At the very least, the placement cultivates the skills, experience, and contacts that will help the int ern toland a great job at another company. The internshipinterview processis a comprehensive one at Yahoo andoften involves at least onephone andSkype interview. The hiring supervisor examines each candidatesresumeand samples of work, as well as theirprofileson LinkedInand other relevant social media networks. Yahoo Benefits Yahoo offers manybenefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, competitive pay, stock options, 401K with company match, paid vacation, paid sick days, training, career development, and tuition reimbursement. The company fully supports families of employees by providing programs like expectant parents coaching, adoption assistance, bonding leave, childcare services, and more. Perks available to employees include nap rooms, massage chairs, bike racks, meditation spaces, 24/7 telemedicine, shopping discounts, and some branches even have gyms. Yahoo Company Culture Yahoo is committed to adiverse and inclusiveworkplace culture and hires individua ls who share those same values. The company also provides an accessible workplace, asking applicants to make note of any necessary accommodations when they apply. Yahoos goal by 2020 is to have women comprise 50% of leadership, which will be achieved through hiring and promoting. The company also embraces a culture of fun and collaboration, with teambuilding activities and interactive games. With a mission to make apositive impacton society, the company is committed to serving both online and local communities. Employees can take up to 24 hours a year for community service, from untersttzung students to fundraising and more. In addition, The Oath Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls and underserved youngpeople across the U.S. and around the world.