Dear Annette,Throughout my business travels I often encounter public figures - in airplanes, in elevators, at conferences. What's the appropriate etiquette for greeting celebrities?Star StuckDear Star Stuck,A few years ago, during the filming of a smash British Invasion-inspired comedy, I was dining in an exclusive Indian restaurant in London's fabulous Mayfair. As I contemplated the handsome, well-appointed dining companion seated across from me, the sound of voices wafting over from another table suddenly interrupted my train of thought. What broke my concentration was the subject of the oth... view article details

'You need to devise a savings strategy that maxmizes your return. What's the best place for your savings? Knowing about the various options can help you build greater wealth for the future.'   Money Markets and CDs   Personal savings is the base of your financial pyramid. It is the foundation of your family's well-being and it's your starting point to building wealth. Starting a sound savings program isn't difficult, but it takes some thinking, planning, and commitment. Your first savings priority should be to build the money you'll want on hand for immediate and short-term needs. This money c... view article details

Ah, the holiday season magical time of year associated with snow-laden pine trees, ribbons and wrapping paper, the smell of gingerbread and sugar cookies . . . and office parties. Whether you can wait to mix and mingle with your co-workers, or whether you’d gladly give your raise and promotion to get a pass, attending the office party is, simply, a part of your job. This article explores five common situations associated with the office party, and shows you how to handle them.Situation: The party includes a cankee Swap?or secret Santa?and you need t... view article details

Tips for Living within Your Means'It's not like I'm disorganized,' said Michelle E., a 28-year-old paralegal from Aurora, Colorado. 'My friends even joke about my CD collection being alphabetized. Yet my savings account is always empty and I never manage to pay down my credit cards,' she said.Cathy W. is 36, single, and facing a similar dilemma. 'I'm a freelancer in computer graphics based out of San Francisco. I think I make decent money, but there's never any left over. I don't see how I could ever afford my own home - certainly not in this town. I have no investments, never mind retirement ... view article details

After establishing contact with the party you're trying to reach, you should be ready to use the time as effectively as if you were in a face-to-face meeting.The speakerphone – friend or foe?Speakerphones are a great tool for communication via the telephone, but they must be used wisely. Some people prefer to use a speakerphone even when no one else is listening in so that they can take notes during the conversation without having to juggle a phone receiver. If you're one of those people, make sure you inform the people on the line with you that you are using a speakerphone, and if they seem a... view article details

'To be fair, folks who have so much money in the market that they simply don't have enough time to stay on top of investment trends would probably be good candidates for the use of a full-service broker.'  'Full-service' brokers get their name and reputation from the dogged and devoted work they're expected to do to keep clients happy. They carry business cards from distinguished brokerage firms like Salomon Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch. In an ideal world, a broker provides sound, profitable investment ideas, and furnishes up-to-the-minute research to keep you current with market trends, sto... view article details

If you're a fast-tracker striving for career advancement like a heat-seeking missile then this is a podcast you can't afford to miss. On this week's episode of Salary Talk, Aaron flies solo in this interview with Donald Asher, author of 'Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't and Why' and 'Cracking the Hidden Job Market,' who deals exclusively with career professionals who aren't happy unless they're earning a promotion every 12-18 months. You'll find out why raises aren't about past performance, being indispensable isn't a good thing and discover why talent is a distant second to timing. Asher's insi... view article details

Many employers will be conducting their annual “focal” reviews over the next few months, which in layman’s terms means the time in which you sit down with your boss and go over your achievements against goals. For most people, it is an uncomfortable conversation that produces as much anxiety as going to the dentist or asking for a raise.For the majority of companies, the annual review is the only formal conversation employees have with their boss about their performance and usually ends with an overview of an employee's new compensation package such as merit increase, bonus payout and stock gr... view article details

Q: I have been an estimator for a plumbing and mechanical company for two years. I am also a project manager. I have produced about $747,000 in sales this year and am managing about $1 million in construction projects. My salary is $32,800 per year. Should I be outraged?A: Maybe a little outraged.Let's assume that when you were hired, you were not expected to bring in sales. But perhaps your job has changed a great deal since then. I recommend that you ask your supervisor to review your current job responsibilities.Bringing in $747,000 is a significant amount of revenue. Typically, people resp... view article details

Seven Tips to a Better ReviewThe performance review induces a case of nerves in most employees, but if you prepare properly, you can make your next performance review your best.  To help, the experts at Salary.com have created a list of tips to ensure a better performance review.1. Track your contributionsKeep a journal at your desk that you can update daily or weekly with your key accomplishments, positive feedback you have received and comments about areas where you can improve.2. Compile your greatest achievementsEach month, review your journal entries and track your progress against your g... view article details