Author Archives: CypressRidge

3 Critical Mistakes in Managing Employee Performance

Posted on November 9, 2011 by CypressRidge

Hay Group (a premier consulting firm) earlier this year produced a report about Strategic performance management is based on research among 1,660 senior decision-makers in large firms across more than 30 countries worldwide. In the U.S., 250 senior decision-makers participated … Continue reading →

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Money and Motivation

Posted on June 28, 2011 by CypressRidge

Does money motivate?  As a compensation expert for many years I say “No,  I don’t believe money motivates at all!” I believe simply that inequitable, unfair and misunderstood pay practices are huge de-motivators. However, just because an employee is fairly … Continue reading →

Posted in Compensation, Employee Engagement, Motivating Employees, pay for performance | Comments Off

Time to get rid of the Annual Performance Evaluation

Posted on June 17, 2011 by CypressRidge

After over 25 years of professional Human Resources consulting with companies on performance management systems and compensation plans, I support eliminating the annual performance evaluation.  They just don’t work,  are disliked by most everyone involved, and even when done correctly … Continue reading →

Posted in Employee Engagement, Employee Management, Employee Retention, Motivating Employees, Performance Discussions, Performance Management, Performance Reviews | 2 Comments

2011 Compensation Planning Tips

Posted on January 11, 2011 by CypressRidge

In the past few months and as January has arrived, employers are finalizing their compensation plans for 2011.  Salary freezes are thawing, merit increase budgets are being set, as companies look ahead to economic uncertainty.  What is certain is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Compensation, Compensation Market Data, Employee Retention, pay for performance, Salary Survey Data | Comments Off

If it’s important—don’t procrastinate!

Posted on November 15, 2010 by CypressRidge

I just learned from my business partner that one major insurance company will no longer accept Long-Term Care applications after the end of the year.  The other major insurance companies have applied to California for substantial increases for new business.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Benefits, Long Term Care | Comments Off

All salary market data is not created equal

Posted on October 20, 2010 by CypressRidge

As employers begin thawing their salary freezes, there’s a tendency to simply grant across-the-board increases to everyone.  Or worse, anecdotal information or “free” salary market data are used to adjust pay rates.  Beware! Recently, various compensation trend reports indicate 2011 … Continue reading →

Posted in Compensation, Compensation Market Data, Competitive Pay, Employee Retention, Job Descriptions, pay for performance, Salary Survey Data | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Job Descriptions–Cornerstone to Great Compensation Planning

Posted on October 18, 2010 by CypressRidge

Position profiles, job descriptions, or virtually any document which describes the role and expectations of an employee lag the reality of what’s currently being done by the employee. In the past couple years, employees’ roles have been adjusted, realigned, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Compensation, Employee Management, Job Descriptions, pay for performance, Performance Management | 1 Comment

Decisions, decisions

Posted on August 18, 2010 by CypressRidge

Last night at a business owners’ dinner meeting, the question was asked at our table….how has the economic climate affected your business and what would you do differently?  Great questions.  Everyone stated they had been affected the past couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Talent Management | Comments Off

Sprints and Marathons–a Business Perspective

Posted on July 12, 2010 by CypressRidge

This weekend I ran a 10K race at my best pace ever and placed 2nd in my age/gender category.  Not bad for a late bloomer in this running game, having run several 10k and 1/2 marathons this past year.  As … Continue reading →

Posted in Employee Retention | Tagged , | Comments Off

The Baseball Player Model of Pay for Executives

Posted on June 17, 2010 by CypressRidge

I am a strong advocate of performance-based compensation programs for companies.  Simply, those employees who create the greatest value to the company and perform well should make more than those who don’t.  Of course, performance is often subjective and the … Continue reading →

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