After that, Lloyd suggests you check in twice during year. "Don't wait and be surprised," she says. "Check in and say 'How am I doing against what we talked about? These are expectations you said (write them down beforehand). How am I doing against them? And if I'm not at an excellent level, please tell me how I can get there so at end of year I'm eligible.'"

Then if you've been getting feedback throughout year and keeping communication channels open with your boss, his jaw won't slacken at your request for a salary increase when you make "the ask".

About two months before performance reviews, or before appropriate budget cycle at your company if you don't have performance reviews, give your boss a heads up about your specific desire for a raise or bonus. Why? Because your boss needs time to present your case to his boss, owner or human resource department and to do so before budget has been finalized for year.

So be proactive and initiate a conversation about your performance at that time, says Lloyd. Don't stay silent, possibly indicating you're satisfied with things as is or just plain getting lost in shuffle on your boss' to do list.

And when you ask for raise, don't make demands or whine but rather be factual and make a very strong business case, Lloyd advises. Consider even putting your case in writing so you make it easier on your boss to restate if he must take your request to someone higher in company.

Your case should include previously discussed expectations and how you fulfilled them and what results you attained. Or make a chart showing your responsibilities at start of year and your current increased responsibilities and decision-making authority.

"It should be pretty evident to manager that you want more money and that you are open to taking on more responsibility or improving your performance," says Lloyd. "So this [salary request] shouldn't come as a surprise at end of year or cycle."

And before you make your case, always have a plan B. You may truly warrant a raise, and your boss may truly want to give you one. But for whatever reason, a raise may not be plausible this year at your company. So plan B could include what else you'll settle for in lieu of a raise, such as a couple more days of paid vacation, a flexible work schedule that allows you to work at home one day a week or just a spot bonus.

"If you're a good employee, bosses don't want to lose you and they feel just as badly as you do that they can't reward you for what you're doing," Lloyd says. "And thing that worries every manager when they can't give a raise is 'Am I going to keep my good people?'" Plan B might just answer that question for both of you this year. And then next year is a whole new ballgame.

© 2004 Karen Fritscher-Porter

Even Toenails Get Scrutiny

An article in August 13, 2004, Wall Street Journal quoted one male professional as saying "I prefer open-toe, but I would probably wear socks with them in public. Otherwise, you have to prepare your toes." This puts a whole new spin on saying, “Be prepared”! The widespread popularity of sandals has also created a greater demand for pedicures and foot grooming products. Just as men notice women's feet, women are giving men a head-to-toe scrutiny, and “flip-flops” or Birkenstocks won’t hide any toenail or dry, cracked heel problems.

Carol Buck, CEO of Xenna Corporation says young and middle-aged men are very becoming very self-conscious about discolored toenails – women can polish them, but men have no way to hide problem. "Some men are so embarrassed they not only won’t wear sandals, but stay away from beach or pool scene,” she says. Xenna's addresses problem of embarrassing nails and feet with its NonyX Nail Gel, an exfoliant of nail-yellowing keratin debris, and Callex Callus Ointment for flaking or cracked heels and foot calluses.

Metallica Metaphorphosis

While a few of Hollywood types may still aim for a Marlboro Man image, it appears that “metrosexual” products are here to stay. After viewing himself in documentary "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," guitarist Kirk Hammett was quoted by Time Magazine as saying he wished he had "spent a little more time in grooming department." With drugstores now full of male-oriented products, he’s not alone, and solutions are right down street.