Salary negotiation can be an emotional experience. We want the job but we need more money. Or we may be afraid that if we push too hard the company will offer the job to another candidate. Negotiating is not merely saying, "I want more money." You're looking for a way to reach an agreement, not a confrontation, with your future employer. Before discussing salary, you need to have the answers to certain questions, such as:

• What is the salary range for this job in this geographical area?
• What is the lowest salary I will consider?
• What makes me worth a higher salary?
• What makes me uniquely valuable to this company?

THE INTERVIEW

While salary negotiation begins after the interview process, it really starts in the initial interview. That's when you will tell the company about yourself, your accomplishments and what you can do for them. You'll want to use active words in the interview to describe your achievements such as: I developed, I coordinated, I took charge of, I initiated, I oversaw, and I actively contributed to. During the interview, you want your eventual supervisor to feel that you can help solve his or her problems. Here are some rules-of-thumb related to salary negotiations that will help you during the interview process:

1. Listen to understand the needs of the company and the person doing the hiring. What does this involve? Making good eye contact throughout the interview- the surest way to establish trust. Not interrupting and allowing them to finish their thoughts. Repeating back to the person, in the course of your answer, part of what they've just said. Nodding after they make a statement to reinforce that you've heard it.
2. Try not to be the first one to mention money. Don't tell them how much you'll take. If you underestimate your worth, you'll low-ball yourself and have to settle for less than the company was prepared to pay.
3. If asked what salary you're looking for, say you have a range. Then say it really depends on the total package, including fringe benefits you might be entitled to, su
   Take Dead Aim At Your Target Market
   What's the single most important factor in the success of a marketing campaign? How clever the advertisements are? How good the product or service is? The price being charged?If you said "none of the above", then I have to agree with you. The most important factor in marketing is targeting.You simply have to know what to sell, and to whom to sell it.If you're selling something that doesn't appeal to the people you're speaking to, then you can forget about a good return. Regardless of how good your product is, regardless of how brilliant the advertisements are, and regardless of the price you're charging, if your targeting is off, then your whole marketing campai
   d the company will offer the job to another candidate. Negotiating is not merely saying, "I want more money." You're looking for a way to reach an agreement, not a confrontation, with your future employer. Before discussing salary, you need to have the answers to certain questions, such as:
   • What is the salary range for this job in this geographical area?
   • What is the lowest salary I will consider?
   • What makes me worth a higher salary?
   • What makes me uniquely valuable to this company?
   You can research salary information through the National Association of Colleges and Employers, job-hunting websites, libraries, trade publications, a college career office, or people who work in that industry or company.

   THE INTERVIEW

   While salary negotiation begins after the interview process, it really starts in the initial interview. That's when you will tell the company about yourself, your accomplishments and what you can do for them. You'll want to use active words in the interview to describe your achievements such as: I developed, I coordinated, I took charge of, I initiated, I oversaw, and I actively contributed to. During the interview, you want your eventual supervisor to feel that you can help solve his or her problems. Here are some rules-of-thumb related to salary negotiations that will help you during the interview process:

   1. Listen to understand the needs of the company and the person doing the hiring. What does this involve? Making good eye contact throughout the interview- the surest way to establish trust. Not interrupting and allowing them to finish their thoughts. Repeating back to the person, in the course of your answer, part of what they've just said. Nodding after they make a statement to reinforce that you've heard it.
   2. Try not to be the first one to mention money. Don't tell them how much you'll take. If you underestimate your worth, you'll low-ball yourself and have to settle for less than the company was prepared to pay.
   3. If asked what salary you're looking for, say you have a range. Then say it really depends on the total package, including fringe benefits you might be entitled to, s
      How To Enhance Employee Commitment and Improve Productivity
      Many of the world’s corporations today suffer from low employee morale and productivity, which lead to poor-quality products and services, and higher costs. This is because managers today in most corporations lack the listening, feedback, and delegation skills needed to enhance employee commitment and improve productivity.Successful organizations today must have managers who motivate and inspire their employees, not beat them down. Successful managers must see themselves not just as bosses, but as performance coaches. A manager must be able to provide employee training, help employees enhance their careers, and mentor them to become the best they can be.A company’s wor
      y information through the National Association of Colleges and Employers, job-hunting websites, libraries, trade publications, a college career office, or people who work in that industry or company.

      THE INTERVIEW

      While salary negotiation begins after the interview process, it really starts in the initial interview. That's when you will tell the company about yourself, your accomplishments and what you can do for them. You'll want to use active words in the interview to describe your achievements such as: I developed, I coordinated, I took charge of, I initiated, I oversaw, and I actively contributed to. During the interview, you want your eventual supervisor to feel that you can help solve his or her problems. Here are some rules-of-thumb related to salary negotiations that will help you during the interview process:

      1. Listen to understand the needs of the company and the person doing the hiring. What does this involve? Making good eye contact throughout the interview- the surest way to establish trust. Not interrupting and allowing them to finish their thoughts. Repeating back to the person, in the course of your answer, part of what they've just said. Nodding after they make a statement to reinforce that you've heard it.
      2. Try not to be the first one to mention money. Don't tell them how much you'll take. If you underestimate your worth, you'll low-ball yourself and have to settle for less than the company was prepared to pay.
      3. If asked what salary you're looking for, say you have a range. Then say it really depends on the total package, including fringe benefits you might be entitled to, s
         Branding with Promotional Products
         Branding is the rather subtle art of getting your business name out in front of the buying public. Branding with promotional products is an excellent way to achieve this goal.Promotional products are great marketing tools for nearly every business. The idea is to provide the buying public with something in addition to whatever it is they purchase from you. The items should have some perceived value and tie into the overall theme of your business. If you have any doubt at all about how this should work, just think about the infomercials you see on television. They always try to get you to buy the primary product by throwing in promotional items that make the overall deal seem
         , I took charge of, I initiated, I oversaw, and I actively contributed to. During the interview, you want your eventual supervisor to feel that you can help solve his or her problems. Here are some rules-of-thumb related to salary negotiations that will help you during the interview process:
         1. Listen to understand the needs of the company and the person doing the hiring. What does this involve? Making good eye contact throughout the interview- the surest way to establish trust. Not interrupting and allowing them to finish their thoughts. Repeating back to the person, in the course of your answer, part of what they've just said. Nodding after they make a statement to reinforce that you've heard it.
         2. Try not to be the first one to mention money. Don't tell them how much you'll take. If you underestimate your worth, you'll low-ball yourself and have to settle for less than the company was prepared to pay.
         3. If asked what salary you're looking for, say you have a range. Then say it really depends on the total package, including fringe benefits you might be entitled to, s
            Business Card Design: Mind Over Machine?
            So you finally got the courage to trash those old business cards! By this time, you are probably in search of a new image for your business. This article will provide you with valuable information in getting an attractive business card design. How many times have you come across "click here to begin your design" links or words to that effect. With technology advancing at a fast pace, more & more online printing businesses are turning themselves to these design it yourself softwares. Question is, can these softwares allow you to create the perfect business card?Your business card should represent the perfect image of your company, in fact, it is the one item that will be remem
            peating back to the person, in the course of your answer, part of what they've just said. Nodding after they make a statement to reinforce that you've heard it.
         4. Try not to be the first one to mention money. Don't tell them how much you'll take. If you underestimate your worth, you'll low-ball yourself and have to settle for less than the company was prepared to pay.
         5. If asked what salary you're looking for, say you have a range. Then say it really depends on the total package, including fringe benefits you might be entitled to, such as: Health insurance, vacation time, annual salary review, retirement savings plans, bonus plans, college tuition reimbursement plans, stock options.
         6. If pushed on the subject, state the range you have in mind. The bottom of the range is what you must have and the top is 10-15% above what you'd take. ("I'm looking at a $65,000-$72,000 range"). Your range is based on your analysis of the market and what you feel you're worth to the company.
         7. If asked what your current pay is, tell the truth. If you're due for a raise or bonus, mention that also.

         THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

         There are several ways the conversation might go as you discuss salary and reach a mutual agreement with your future employer. Let's say she has just offered you $62,000 annual salary. You can say "O.K" and settle for less than you're worth. Or you can swallow the "O.K" and say "Hmmm" instead. According to Jack Chapman in his book, Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute, "When you hear the figure or range, repeat the figure or top of the range and then be quiet." "$62,000? Hmmm (pause) That sounds a little low."

         To avoid sounding arrogant, use a question rather than a demand. "Hmmm, $62,000 (pause). I'm delighted that you're interested in me and I am very interested in the position. Based on my experience, I'd like to be making between $65,000 and $72,000. What would it take to get to the higher level within that range?" Make a positive statement about liking the company or job before asking for other things. This communicates that you appreciate the offer and are almost ready to join them, if you can just get this one last thing. "Hmmm, $62,000. I like the opportunity and I know that I could contribute to your company, but I really need $65,000 as a minimum. I would love to work here if I can get that figure. Is there a way we can work that out?"

         Don't worry that the employer will change her mind about hiring you just because you ask for more. You must have interviewed well and be a front-runner or else you wouldn't be getting an offer. Besides, you aren't pushing her higher than she expected to go anyway. If you get an offer that's a little lowe