American Idol Top 10 (oops 11) contestants performed to the theme Motown songs mentored by Grammy Lifetime Achievement winner Smokey Robinson. The contestants sang classic Motown including two of Robinson's (Tracks of My Tears, Ooo Baby Baby). There were some great performances.
Check out some Motown songs here as well as Adam Lambert's much raved about performance of Tracks of My Tears
Motown Songs
Here's a recap of what happened at Idol Motown night
American Idol Top 10 Recap
How To Ask For A Pay Raise At Work
How to ask for a pay raise at work is a pretty tricky business. You have been working at the same salary for some time now. You believe you are invaluable to the Company. You like to think that the Company believes the same too. You also believe you are overdue for the raise. However your Boss shows no signs of acknowledging your monetary worth. More often than not, you are the one to have to raise the issue. So how do you ask for that raise? Here are some tips to keep in mind while asking for that all important salary increase.
• You find out your worth. The best way to do it is talk with your peer group in the same profile outside your company. Or you can consider a hypothetical situation – if you were to walk out, how much salary would you be likely to get?
• If you are in sales or customer service – you can easily find out the business or repeat sales you have generated for your Company. That should form the benchmark for your raise.
• Find out inflation related changes since your last raise. Factor in the same while asking for your raise.
• Find out the growth of your Company in the past years. The surest way to show ignorance or get fired is to ask a hefty raise in a Company that is going downhill.
• Find out how much people in similar profile or rank as yours are getting in your Company. Compare profiles, job importance, responsibilities before putting up your case. There cannot be too much discrepancy in a company for people with similar profiles. However many a times – new recruits negotiate themselves to a better salary. Work this knowledge to your advantage when asking for that raise.
• Make a presentation of your case in a formal environment with your Boss. The formal appointment cues in your Boss to your seriousness about the issue. Give your Boss a figure based on your research.
Remember knowledge combined with prudence always has an advantage. And of course negotiating skills! No company likes to lose a valuable employee. The cost of hiring a new employee often works out to be higher. However, many a times one loses out on a raise due to lack of industry knowledge, insecurity or plain diffidence in talking about money.
• You find out your worth. The best way to do it is talk with your peer group in the same profile outside your company. Or you can consider a hypothetical situation – if you were to walk out, how much salary would you be likely to get?
• If you are in sales or customer service – you can easily find out the business or repeat sales you have generated for your Company. That should form the benchmark for your raise.
• Find out inflation related changes since your last raise. Factor in the same while asking for your raise.
• Find out the growth of your Company in the past years. The surest way to show ignorance or get fired is to ask a hefty raise in a Company that is going downhill.
• Find out how much people in similar profile or rank as yours are getting in your Company. Compare profiles, job importance, responsibilities before putting up your case. There cannot be too much discrepancy in a company for people with similar profiles. However many a times – new recruits negotiate themselves to a better salary. Work this knowledge to your advantage when asking for that raise.
• Make a presentation of your case in a formal environment with your Boss. The formal appointment cues in your Boss to your seriousness about the issue. Give your Boss a figure based on your research.
Remember knowledge combined with prudence always has an advantage. And of course negotiating skills! No company likes to lose a valuable employee. The cost of hiring a new employee often works out to be higher. However, many a times one loses out on a raise due to lack of industry knowledge, insecurity or plain diffidence in talking about money.
Should I Take Up This Job?
I have just received a job offer? Should I take it up?
This question has been giving me sleepless nights the past week. What better forum to open my mind than here? My parents, husband and children are biased in this regard. My Mom, because she doesn't want her daughter to work too hard, my husband - because he knows that anything he says will be thrown back at him! "You told to work, didn't you?" or "You are the one who didn't allow me to work!" So anytime I want his opinion, I am met with scowls, glares or silence. My son can’t decide whether he wants me to work or not. He wants me to work - because he is missing those extra toys, gizmos, games he was getting while I was also providing to the family kitty, as also increased time at the computer he will be getting with no one to supervise. He doesn't, because he likes to see a relaxed Mom at home when he comes back from school!
Now I will elucidate my pros and cons. First - why should I?
The offer has been literally dropped on my lap. The company is getting the work permit too.
I guess I am qualified enough and should be feeling guilty just watching movies, bickering with kids all day.
The pay is just about decent.
It’s a recession, if I am getting something I should be grabbing it!
It will be a stepping stone back into the workplace. My little kiddo is about 3 now and this seems to be the right time.
Now - Why shouldn't I take it up?
I earn a decent amount from online writing.
I am really enjoying my swimming, music lessons and will be learning French soon ;-)
My kids need me at home (sigh - do they?)
I will still be cleaning up after the kids, sitting with their homeworks, cooking, and doing a host of other things that needs to be done with three dirty boys at home - will I endure (without turning cranky) after a hard day's work?
Do I want to go back to the rat race?
I will miss my independence (to go shopping, tea time with friends, mid morning naps;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No, I dont think I want to go to the corporate sector as an employee. The word "rat race" has done the trick!
This question has been giving me sleepless nights the past week. What better forum to open my mind than here? My parents, husband and children are biased in this regard. My Mom, because she doesn't want her daughter to work too hard, my husband - because he knows that anything he says will be thrown back at him! "You told to work, didn't you?" or "You are the one who didn't allow me to work!" So anytime I want his opinion, I am met with scowls, glares or silence. My son can’t decide whether he wants me to work or not. He wants me to work - because he is missing those extra toys, gizmos, games he was getting while I was also providing to the family kitty, as also increased time at the computer he will be getting with no one to supervise. He doesn't, because he likes to see a relaxed Mom at home when he comes back from school!
Now I will elucidate my pros and cons. First - why should I?
The offer has been literally dropped on my lap. The company is getting the work permit too.
I guess I am qualified enough and should be feeling guilty just watching movies, bickering with kids all day.
The pay is just about decent.
It’s a recession, if I am getting something I should be grabbing it!
It will be a stepping stone back into the workplace. My little kiddo is about 3 now and this seems to be the right time.
Now - Why shouldn't I take it up?
I earn a decent amount from online writing.
I am really enjoying my swimming, music lessons and will be learning French soon ;-)
My kids need me at home (sigh - do they?)
I will still be cleaning up after the kids, sitting with their homeworks, cooking, and doing a host of other things that needs to be done with three dirty boys at home - will I endure (without turning cranky) after a hard day's work?
Do I want to go back to the rat race?
I will miss my independence (to go shopping, tea time with friends, mid morning naps;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No, I dont think I want to go to the corporate sector as an employee. The word "rat race" has done the trick!
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