Thursday, September 30, 2010

Cost leadership

Cost leadership is a competitive strategy that emphasizes offering the product or service at the cheapest price. This can be done by creating the most efficient manufacturing price, by economies of scale, or by control of suppliers and channels.
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Great Place to Work Institute

The Great Place to Work Institute is a research and management consultancy based in the U.S. with international affiliate offices throughout the world. The Institute works each year with Fortune Magazine and other publications throughout the world to compile the "Best Companies to Work For" lists, which appear in 25 different countries. Visit the institute at GreatPlacetoWork.com.
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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The 80/20 Rule

Pareto's Principle, or the 80/20 Rule, describes the principle that twenty percent of a resource is responsible for eighty percent of the results. The 80/20 Rule may be applied to almost anything, from the science of management to the physical world.
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Monday, September 27, 2010

Student loan debt

Nearly two-thirds of undergraduate students graduate college with some debt. As of 2007, the average federal student loan debt among graduating seniors was $19,202, according to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. Graduate and professional students borrow even more, with the additional debt for a graduate degree ranging from $27,000 to $114,000.
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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Corporate Meetings and Incentives

"Corporate Meetings and Incentives" magazine is the senior executive's guide to decision-making. CMI explores trends in management, motivation, and incentives as they relate to how organizations successfully communicate with employees.
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Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment practices that discriminate on the basis of sex. The law covers employers with fifteen or more employees, and prohibits sex-based discrimination in hiring, advancement, or any other terms or conditions of employment. The law also includes discrimination based on maternity, pregnancy and sexual orientation.
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Friday, September 24, 2010

Prescription drugs

According to HRAdvice.com, about 15% of employer health care costs are attributable to prescription drug plans. Prescription drug costs are the fastest rising component of medical expenditures, accounting for the largest percentage of increase in health care spending over the past several years. Most of the increase in drug costs reflect increased consumption.
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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for an employer of 15 or more employees to refuse to hire, discharge, or take action affecting an employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of the employee’s religion.
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

U.S. worker productivity

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. worker in today's workplace needs to work only eleven hours per week to produce as much as one working forty hours per week in 1950.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Mercer Human Resource Consulting

Mercer Human Resource Consulting, a subsidiary of Marsh and McLennan, is a global leader in HR and financial services. Mercer Human Resource Consulting provides expertise in human resource areas, ranging from compensation and benefits to operational effectiveness and employee performance and engagement. Mercer has over 15,000 employees serving clients in 41 countries.
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Monday, September 20, 2010

Hewitt Associates

Hewitt Associates is the world's largest multi-service provider of human resources outsourcing and consulting. The company provides services to more than 2,600 clients, has nearly 22,000 employees, and operates offices in 35 countries. Hewitt Associates was founded in 1940 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2002.
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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Lie detector tests

Most employers are prohibited by federal law from requiring employees to submit to lie detector tests. Notable exceptions to these laws are for public employees, government contractors, certain security personnel and drug company employees, as well as theft and industrial espionage investigations.
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Saturday, September 18, 2010

HR metrics

HR metrics measure the effectiveness of HR programs and allow for fact-based decisions. HR metrics include turnover, workforce productivity, diversity, position vacancies, retention, cost of hiring new employees, compensation programs, and manager satisfaction. HR professionals use metrics to justify new programs and initiatives, and for effective communication with management.
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Friday, September 17, 2010

HRIS

The HRIS Specialist examines and verifies employee information processed by automated HR systems. They compile statistical information and prepare reports relating to payroll, recruiting, position classification, compensation, training, equal opportunity employment, or affirmative action. They also provide assistance with HRIS maintenance, troubleshoot user technical problems, and provide training.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

HMOs

An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) is a form of health insurance combining a range of medical coverages offered by a network of doctors and medical professionals, usually for a flat monthly rate with no deductibles. Only visits to professionals within the HMO network are covered. The HMO must clear all prescriptions, referrals and other care in order to be covered.
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Human Resources Scorecard

The book "The Human Resources Scorecard: Measuring the Return on Investment" provides a comprehensive, step-by-step process for measuring return on investment. Based on the classic balanced scorecard process developed by co-author Jack J. Phillips, the book aids HR managers in determining and improving the bottom-line impact that human resource programs have on an organization.
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Recruiter Confidence Index

The Recruiter Confidence Index (RCI) was introduced in May 2003 by ExecuNet, an executive job search and recruiting organization. The RCI is designed to measure and gauge executive recruiter confidence for the next six months. The index is based on a monthly survey conducted by ExecuNet of roughly one hundred executive recruiters from across the U.S.
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Monday, September 13, 2010

International Society for Performance Improvement

The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) is an association dedicated to improving productivity and performance in the workplace. Founded in 1962, ISPI represents more than 10,000 members throughout the U.S., Canada, and 40 other countries. ISPI's mission is to develop and recognize the proficiency of its members and advocate the use of Human Performance Technology.
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Sunday, September 12, 2010

Severance packages

There is no legal requirement in the U.S. to provide severance pay to terminated employees. Many employers routinely give severance packages to employees in order to bridge the gap between one job and the next and to hedge themselves against lawsuits. On average, severance-paying organizations provide terminated employees between one and two weeks pay for each year of service.
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Saturday, September 11, 2010

Non-competes

A non-compete agreement is a document signed by an employee agreeing that, should the employee choose to leave the company, he or she will not work for a competitor for a specified period of time. Non-competes are used when employees have access to critical information. The legality of non-competes depend on state laws, the scope of the restrictions, and precedents set in court decisions.
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Friday, September 10, 2010

Disability insurance

Workers' compensation replaces income that is lost because of a job-related injury or illness. Disability insurance covers income lost due to injuries and illnesses that are not job related. Five states -- California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island -- require that employees be covered by disability insurance through state-run programs or by private or self-insurance coverage.
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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines likes people with a sense of humor. The company's recruiting practices are built on the idea that humor can help people remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, and stay healthier in the process. By following this mantra, Southwest is able to foster a spirited workforce with employees that go the "extra-mile" when necessary while staying with the company longer.
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Marquis de Vauvenargues

“The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one's opportunities and make the most of one's resources.” - Marquis de Vauvenargues.
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