• Choose right time to negotiate. If your company schedules regular salary reviews, be well prepared for your turn. If it doesn't, take initiative and request a review. Ask for an early Monday appointment, when your boss's desk is clear.

• Convince your boss you're a winner by speaking clearly, listening carefully and responding calmly. Rehearse your main points with a friend, and run through responses to what you guess might be objections to a raise.

• If a raise is denied, ask why. If boss believes that you haven't performed well enough, ask what you must do to merit a raise, set shared goals and a time frame for renegotiation. If company is under financial restraint, ask for bonuses your boss may give more readily, such as expanded benefits or extra vacation time.

Copyright Jane Lake 2004. All Rights Reserved.

----Resource Box-------------------------------------------- About Author: Jane Lake is a successful freelance writer and editor of top-ranked craft site, http://www.allfreecrafts.com, where you will find photos and full instructions for hundreds of craft projects. She also edits and produces http://www.allfreeprintables.com, which features printable recipe cards, chore coupons, school lists, check lists and paper toys. ------------------------------------------------------------

Along this line, I’m constantly amazed at how some folks in business never “get it” on this point. Whether it involves tipping, being seated, paying, or any other aspect of doing business, it needs to be easy, convenient and uncomplicated for customer. The benefit to those in business is that we’ll probably have more business and make more money.

But, there is another benefit. It is satisfaction of knowing one is a true professional who treats others as he/she wants to be treated. Such an approach is almost irresistible in business, in relationships – and in marriages.

BARBER-OSOPHY: Always seek to make life a little easier for others.

Copyright 2004, Sumerlin Enterprises.

Permission is granted for you to copy this article for distribution as long as above copyright and contact information is included. Please reference or include a link to www.barber-osophy.com.