business news/ negotiating for a raise

Mar. 3 Business news:

Banks: I was reading in the Metro today that: “5 US banks have failed in 2014.”  Regulators closed down small lenders in Virginia and Pennsylvania.   There were 24 closures in 2013.

My opinion: At least it’s not as bad as in 2008 when the recession came and I read in the Metro 103 banks closed down.

Mar. 5 Radio Shack: I was reading in the Globe and Mail today that Radio Shack is planning to close down 1,100 stores because there was a 19% decrease in sales.  That is 1/5 of all Radio Shack stores. 

Quizno’s: I was also reading about this restaurant may be closing some of their locations down.  The Globe and Mail said that Subway and their $5 foot long sandwiches are really big competition.  Quizno’s had a lot of debt.

My opinion: I’m not surprised about Radio Shack because I’ve read that they’re not that good with all these Apple and Microsoft stores out there.  I’m surprised about Quizno’s because I haven’t heard about the restaurant not going well before.

Google: I read in the Edmonton Journal on Mar. 1, 2014 that Google will donate $7 million in San Francisco so inner city kids from low-income families can take buses to school and other places.  That’s good.

Assessment test: I found this 24 article I cut out back in Nov. 19, 2012 called “Ace the interview assessment test.” It says it’s written by Job Boom.com  

1.      The in-basket test: The test is a stack of memos, letters, requests and to be filed and which needs immediate attention.  The way to prepare for it is to speed read practice.  Read a complex document for 10 min. and summarize it in one sentence.

2.      Role- play exercise: This is more of a customer- service focus of where the interviewer pretends to be a customer and see how you would deal with it.  Prepare by practicing at home with someone.

3.      Task simulations: It’s usually with a software program or editing spelling and grammar.  Practice at home with the software program or review English.

Job fair: I was reading “Stand out from the crowd at your school’s career fair” by Linda White in 24 news on Jan. 7, 2013.  The tips are:

Define your goals: Do you want find a full-time career or are looking for information?

Do your research: Research what companies are going to be there and prioritize which ones you will attend.

Prepare your resume.

Prepare a 30-second introduction: Talk about your experience and achievements.

Make a great first impression: Make eye contact and give a firm handshake.

Gather information: Bring a folder and take notes and information sheets.  Pass out your resume and have your references with you.

Leave a lasting impression –and follow up: Call or email to maybe get an informational interview.

Negotiating for a raise: I read this 24 news article by Linda White on May 7, 2012.  Before you approach your boss, they will ask why do you want and deserve are a raise.

They talked to Phil Wilson, vice-president of business development with Felix Global Corp. in Ottawa:

“The best time to negotiate is when you’re in a position of power.”

“Most companies share information around it’s compensation system; if not, talk to colleagues.”

“When negotiating a raise, frame the conversation around your value to the organization and how you’re delivering against all the things expected of you.  Don’t be vague.  Provide quantifiable measures that show you’re delivering real value.”

Be prepared: “Practice articulating your particular assets, what makes your contribution unique and valuable, and how it has directly benefited the company” says Chris Hammer, certified professional coach and psychologist of Silverhammer Personal Coaching Services in Calgary, AB.

Find out how much your job is paying by going to like payscale.com and Workopolis.

Don’t lie: If you say you were offered a job elsewhere, even if you haven’t, your boss may call your bluff.  What are your expectations?  If you’re getting paid $40,000 and your position is worth $50,000, will you accept $45,000?

Be flexible: If you don’t get a raise, you may get more vacation time, bonus, new job title, expense account, etc.

Hammer: “At least you’ve opened the door, stated your intentions and came up with some good arguments.  Be willing to be firm in growing your argument and to ask again.”

New job tip: Wilson says to never reject the first job offer, even if it’s low.  Think about it overnight.  You may get benefits and other perks.  The questions you should ask is if this job fits you:

Does it fit your lifestyle goals?

Will it challenge you and offer a career path?

Is the company culture supportive, rewarding, developmental, hard paced with a lot of turnover?

Do you like your boss?

Can you contribute to your team?

Mar. 8 Bayshore Inn: I have written about this place before last year.  It is a seasonal position from April to October.


http://www.bayshoreinn.com/careers.cfm

Create an app: What if I created an app?  There are lots of apps to find solutions.  Here’s an example:

Empower: I was reading in the Metro on Mar. 4, 2014 by Stephanie Dubois.about an app called Empower where Alberta women and men can flee from domestic violence.  The U of A student Lindsay Redman says:

“The app will fine- tune the type of resources that person needs.”  It will include a forum for individuals to talk about experiences and family and friends to support their loved ones who are being abused.  

NameTag: I was reading in the Metro on Jan. 13, 2014 by Kate Webb about this app called NameTag.  It’s used so you see a face using Google Glass camera on Android’s phone, send it the server and it will compare your face to your online records in seconds with name and social media profiles.  

The developer Facialnetwork.com is working to make it compatible with dating websites.  

The pros are that it’s used for high-security buildings like banks and governments.

The cons are that it’s open to stalkers and predators.  The app creator Kevin Allen Tussy said that people who do no wish to be identified, they can log onto the website and make themselves unsearchable.

Raffi Cavoukian is a children’s entertainer and wrote a book about internet privacy.  He says: “Guys will use this to identify women that they want to find out more about and meet.  So it’s clear this opens the doors wide to stalking…For girls and women this is actually a real and present danger.  The public should be getting extremely angry about this, and women need to stand up and say, ‘This is not on, our faces are not your property.  Your right to invade my space stops at my face.”