17 Things You Should Always Know About Your Company

I am currently part of an internship and I found this article which I am using as a check list of things to do before I finish my 6 months internship.

I thinks is really important not only for full time employees, intern and if you are looking for a job. So, here goes the article:

"There are a lot of things to learn in every job. Besides the job description, there is the corporate culture, policies and expectations for every employee. Here are some of the things that each employee should know about a company.

1. Mission Statement: Companies seek profits, of course, but they do so by fulfilling a mission for their customers. You need to understand that mission in order to know why you were hired and what your contribution is expected to be.

2. Customers: Every company exists to serve customers, and so does every job within a company. Know your company’s customers, even if you have no direct contact with them, and you will be able to do your job better.

3. Financial Condition: There is no better harbinger of your fortunes than those of your employer. If you work for a publicly held company, pay attention to SEC(Securities and Exchange Commission) filings, reports to analysts and trade press about your company. If your employer is closely held, you will have to rely on more subtle hints such as the ebb and flow of budget dollars and the grapevine of business successes and failures.

4. Chain of Command: You should know your boss, your boss’s boss and everyone else in your chain of command up to the CEO. If you do not know your place in the organization, it can be hard to tell where you stand. Know your boss’s allies and who might be trying to undermine him or her.

5. Health Insurance: The place to ask about your deductible is not the emergency room. You should know your primary physician, whether you need referrals to specialists, the cost of in-network versus out-of-network care if you are in such a plan, co-payments for prescriptions, dental and vision benefits, and the details of any additional aspects of your health plan. Health-savings accounts can complicate issues even more.

6. Retirement Plan: Afterheath insurence,returement plan options may be the most complicated of all employee benefits. Your employer may offer a simple 401 (k) or no retirement plan at all. You should know your options, how much you can contribute, your employer’s matching contributions, vesting periods and how your money is invested.

7. Your HR Rep: By now, it may have dawned on you that you need help understanding employee benefits and corporate policies. That is where your HR department can help. Take advantage of education classes or make an appointment to discuss particulars that are giving you difficulty.

8. Drug and Alcohol Policies: Almost every company has a written policy prohibiting use of drugs or alcohol at work. Some reserve the right to test employees under certain circumstances or at random. It can pay to know these policies, what appeals processes are available and the consequences of refusing testing.

9. Public-Statement Policies: A growing number of employees are surprised to learn that what they post on their Web pages or social-networking sites matters to their employers. Policies about public statements that reflect upon the employer’s reputation are increasingly common.

10. IT Help-Desk Contact: Who are you going to call when your computer crashes or you cannot access the network? Help-desk staff can save you hours of frustration and downtime. Their phone numbers should be pasted to your computer monitor.

11. IT Acceptable-Use Policies: Most companies tolerate a certain amount of personal use of corporate IT resources, including personal phone calls. But they take very seriously activities that slow down the network for everyone, downloading pirated music and installing unauthorized software that may infect the network with a virus. Also, employees should never view adult or objectionable Web content at work.

12. How to Request Supplies: Whether you need a stapler or a new computer, you should know the procedure for requesting supplies. Do you have to go through your boss, or is there a central supplies hot line? What paperwork is involved?

13. Smoking Policy: Even if you do not smoke, you may want to know where your employer allows it so you can avoid those areas. If you smoke, you may find some companies ban smoking during business hours. A few firms even forbid smoking on your own time.

14. Grievance Procedure: Sometimes a grievance with a supervisor or a co-worker cannot be resolved informally. At such times, it is important to know how to begin a formal grievance procedure. Often, it starts in the HR department.

15. Disciplinary Procedures: Supervisors must know what disciplinary options are available to them, from informal admonitions to termination. Workers should know what each form of discipline means to them, and the consequences of further need for discipline.

16. Fraternization Policy: Office romances happen. Most companies have policies forbidding fraternization between supervisors and subordinates. Others have more stringent policies. Before you start a fling, consider the potential consequences.

17. Vendor Relations and Gifts Policies: In order to avoid even the appearance of undue influence upon business relationships, many employees are forbidden to accept gifts from vendors in excess of some nominal amount. You should know if such policies apply to you."

Tips to Maintain a Healthy Metabolism

Metabolism slows down in our late 20’s and 30’s and keeps going downhill so in order to prevent it we need to do three to five cardio workouts and three total-body strength-training sessions each week or do three to five cardio workouts and three total-body strength-training sessions each week.

Here are some tips I found to increase Metabolism
1. Maximize your muscle. Muscles are fat-burning furnaces, so be sure to do enough resistance training to build and maintain them and follow your workouts with a snack or meal balanced in protein, carbohydrates and fat.
2. Don't forget the cardio workout routines. It improves definition and blasts the fat that covers your muscles. Combining regular aerobic exercise with strength training will give you the slimming effect you've been going for. After all, toning without cardio is like building a house on a weak foundation.
3. Be sure to stretch. It can help your muscles work better so you can more effectively isolate your problem areas.
4. Focus on your assets. Playing up your favorite body parts can boost your confidence and draw attention away from spots you want to minimize. Sculpting your shoulders, arms, chest, and back, for example, can help balance heavier hips so you look more proportionate. Plus, you'll be firmer all over.
5. Don't starve yourself. Undereating causes your metabolic rate to drop and your body to hold onto fat. The average, active woman consume at least 1,800 calories daily.
6. Go graze-y. Eat 6 small meals a day to avoid blood-sugar spikes and minimize urges to binge.
7. Get real. Fuel your body with wholesome, nutritious foods, and limit your intake of refined carbs (anything sugary or white-flour based).
8. Drink more water. Staying hydrated will help you feel full longer and keep you healthy.
9. Sleep tight. Get 7-8 hours of sleep at night.
10. Control what you can. Keep stress levels in check by managing your time, focusing on the present and not over-committing, also Yoga & Meditation can help you with this

Need a mini vacation?

“Travel often pushes us to our limits, and it presents a great time to reflect on the things that mean the most.” Kim Mance

Between projects, meetings, business lunches, decisions and frustrations you need a break. Now, you don’t have two weeks to relax in some tropical place. But what about a mini vacation? It’s perfect to take the edge off of all that office tension you’ve built up.

Women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking time off from work, according to a 2009 study from Expedia. The same study found that women more often cancel or postpone vacation plans because of work. But how can you fit that much-needed vacation into your busy schedule?

Plan ahead , "A healthy balance is important when taking a mini vacation". As business women, our curiosity to see and conquer all can get the best of us.” Dont fail in over-scheduling yourself. Instead, “sit in the park, stroll slowly through a historic cemetery, sip coffee or attempt to speak the local language. Just try to get rested.”

Here are a few ideas to get this vacation started:

1. You don’t have to travel far to get away from the everyday stresses of life. Go Local! If you’re on a budget but still need a break, try checking in to a local B&B.


2. Visit a winery. There’s nothing better than a relaxing vacation served with a nice glass of wine.


3. Usually your girlfriends know just what you need to calm down. Make it a girlfriend getaway.


4. Don’t have time to plan? “A lot of larger cities offer great 3-day passes through the Tourism Office, which often highlight many of their major attractions.”

If you are like me, maybe you could be wondering if planning the mini-vacations could be more stressing than relaxing... Therefore, here are some tips:

1. Arrange for a pet-friendly hotel so your pooch can have an enjoyable vacation as well. Log on to petswelcome.com, a website devoted to pet travel, for a list of hotels that allow animals. If you decide to leave your pet behind, check out the American Boarding Kennels Association (abka.com) to find a legit kennel, or visit petsitters.org to find a professional pet sitter.


2. Pay bills due before return. Many service providers offer automatic bill pay, which allows them to withdraw the due amount from your account every month. To set up automated online bill pay with the phone company, you will need to give the company a voided check and one or two forms of authorization.


3. To avoid overpacking, plan outfits ahead of time. Choose a color palate and pack a few interchangeable pieces. For example, black pants or jeans can be worn multiple times with different tops. Choose travel-friendly fabrics like knits, gabardine and denim. Add some fun accessories to spruce things up.


4. Don't carry a lot of cash. Chieppo suggests bringing a small amount of cash and withdrawing what you need, using your debit card as you go. Travelers checks are also a good option because they are insured and can be replaced.


5. Don't wait until the last minute to renew or apply for a passport. During the summer months it can take up to 10 weeks to get a new one. In general, expect to wait at least four weeks from the time of application, but check with the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov) for travel updates.


6. Have each child pack a "survival kit" with games, books or iPods. Avoid packing pens and pencils; opt for crayons and washable markers instead. For road trips, cookie sheets and breakfast-in-bed trays are good flat surfaces for eating on, sticking magnetic toys to and coloring on.


7. Get your car ready. If you're hitting the open road, remember that car maintenance is always less expensive than emergency road service. Check the condition of tires, belts, battery and spark plugs before any road trip. Always keep an emergency kit in your car with (at least) a flashlight, flares, tire changing tools, jumper cables and a blanket.
   
   

10 Makeup Tips for Beautiful Makeup at Work

Moisturizer is the key to fresher-looking skin, and it creates the perfect base for makeup. For normal skin, use a lightweight moisturizing lotion or cream. When skin feels dry or sensitive, use a rich hydrating cream or balm. For oily skin, choose an oil-free formula that hydrates and helps control oil production. Hydrate the delicate skin around eyes with a lightweight eye cream to ensure under-eye concealer goes on smoothly.

Here are 10 steps to the perfect makeup application:

1. Concealer: For the most natural look, choose yellow-based shades of concealer, foundation and powder. When a shade is skin tone-correct, it will blend flawlessly and look like skin. To lighten dark circles, apply concealer under the eye, up to the lash line, and on the innermost corner of the eye using the concealer brush. Smooth and blend concealer by gently patting with your fingers. For extra-dark circles, start with pink- or peach-toned corrector, then layer on concealer.

2. Foundation: To find your perfect foundation shade, swatch a few shades on the side of your face and check the colors in natural light. The shade that disappears is the right one. Use your fingers or a makeup sponge to spot-apply foundation where skin needs to be evened out (around the nose and mouth where there's redness). For full, all-over coverage, use a foundation brush to apply and blend foundation. To cover blemishes, spot-apply foundation stick or a blemish cover stick in a shade that matches your skin exactly. Pat with a finger to blend.

3. Powder: For crease-free, long-wear makeup, apply loose powder in pale yellow over concealer using an eye blender brush or mini powder puff. Apply powder in your skin tone-correct shade to the rest of your face using a powder puff or powder brush.

4. Blush: Smile and dust a neutral shade of blush on the apples of cheeks with the blush brush. Blend up toward the hairline, then downward to soften color. For a longer-lasting look, layer a pop of bright blush (applied just on the apples of cheeks) over the neutral shade. For an extra glow, dust shimmer brick compact on cheekbones with the face blender brush. If needed, gently exfoliate lips with a damp washcloth.

5. Lip liner: For natural-looking definition and to keep color from feathering, line lips with lip liner after applying lip color. Use the lip brush to soften and blend any hard edges.

7. Brows: Using a slant-tip tweezer, pluck any stray hairs between and below the brows. Pull hairs in the direction they are growing, in one quick motion. Define brows using eye shadow (match it to your hair color) applied with the eyebrow brush. Use the eye-definer brush if you have sparse brows. To apply shadow, begin at the inner corner of the brow and follow its natural shape using light, feathery strokes. Set unruly brows in place with a natural brow shaper.

8. Eye shadow: Sweep a light eye shadow color from the lash line to the brow bone using an eye shader brush. Dust a medium eye shadow color on the lower lid and up to the crease using the eye shadow brush.

9. Eye liner: Line the upper lash line with a dark eye shadow color applied with the eye liner brush. For a longer-lasting look, dampen the brush before dipping into shadow. After lining the upper lash line, look straight ahead to see if there are any gaps that need to be filled in. If you also line the lower lash line, make sure the top and bottom liner meet at the outer corner of the eye.

10. Mascara: Choose your mascara formula based on your needs and desired effect. Thickening mascara gives individual lashes a denser look and is ideal if you have a sparse lash line. For lashes that are enhanced but still natural-looking, choose defining and lengthening mascaras. Roll the wand as you go to separate lashes and avoid clumps. If you choose to curl lashes, be sure to do this before applying mascara; curling lashes after mascara makes them more prone to breakage.

*Tips from Bobbi Brown –CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, an Estée Lauder company.

How to Diminish Stress at Work

Don't let work, co-workers, papers, deadlines, etc make you tense. Stress raises your body's production of cortisol and adrenaline hormones, which lowers your immune response, making you more susceptible to illness. Here are simple ways to work on managing your stress at work:

1. Get Moving
   Short bursts of intense physical activity burn off stress hormones, release endorphins and restore balance. Instead of taking a coffee break, go for a walk around the building or climb the stairs at work.
2. Eat Breakfast
   Skipping breakfast may cause you to eat more later in the day. If you're hungry by the time lunch rolls around, you're likely to overeat, which isn't just harmful to your diet, but your stress levels as well. Putting too much glucose (blood sugar) in your system at one time adds stress to your body. Plus, any glucose that isn't used is stored as fat and carrying around extra pounds is a strain.
3. Grab a Snack
   Another way to keep your hunger pangs and blood-sugar levels in check is snacking throughout the day. When your blood sugar gets too low, your body goes into survival mode. Stash some healthy snacks at your desk so you're not tempted by the vending machine. Keep in mind that a snack should be no more than 200 calories; a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit or nonfat yogurt are good options. By fortifying yourself with food, you'll have enough energy to cope with the day's stresses.
4. Cut Back on Caffeine and Alcohol
   Many people reach for a latte to stay alert at work or relax with a cocktail after a busy day. These substances only aggravate your anxiety by releasing stress hormones. Your best bet is to replace your caffeine fix with a walk and hit the gym instead of happy hour.
5. Stretch It Out
   Even if you're stuck in an epic meeting or tied to the phone with constant conference calls, you can still move your body. Hunching over a computer all day can take its toll, so do some stretches to release muscle tension. Reach forward to stretch your upper back and shoulder. To relieve tension from your neck, lift each ear away from the shoulders. Cross one foot over the opposite knee and lean forward slightly to stretch your hip and butt muscles. Or, sign for a Yoga Class!

Why is Important to Follow Your Intuition?

That feeling in your stomach compelling you to do--or not do--something for no logical reason. It's what drives you to take the long way to work and miss the traffic accident or to accept the date with the guy who turns out to be the one. And while it may seem like a mysterious force,intuition is actually a highly specialized way of thinking." It's learned expertise--something we might not even be aware we had—that is instantly accessible, says David Myers, the author of Intuition: Its Powers and Perils.

The good news is you can find out how to tap into your gut, take control of your destiny, and start living a more rewarding life simply by answering these six questions.

1. Are you in tune with your environment?
To fine-tune this ability yourself, identify a few places you know very well, like your home, office, or neighborhood, and try to find three things in each that you've never noticed before. This simple act will help train you to be attuned to changes or irregularities. Once you've picked up on a message from your environment, use it to make a decision. For example, if you look around your home and notice that an electrical cord has become frayed, replace it. Even if you don't have a child, you may prevent a guest's toddler from having a serious accident.

2. Are you a good listener?
"In order to be intuitive, you need to actively pay attention to what others and your environment are telling you. The more information you take in, the more your mind has to draw from when it comes time to make a pivotal decision.

"Go with the solution that resonates most with you, even if you can't pinpoint why it seems right"

To become a better listener, start by asking yourself, "How often do I cut people off? Am I frequently trying to get my point across rather than listening?" If so, try maintaining eye contact with the person speaking to you. "You're less likely to interrupt someone you're staring at," says Whelan. This will help you really hear everything he or she has to say. Over time it will help you pick up on things others don't.

3. Do you pay attention to body language?
Highly intuitive people may seem like mind readers, but the truth is, they're just better at guessing what people around them are thinking--largely because they're adept at sussing out nonverbal signals.

"Being kicked out of the group could mean death, so people became very good at evaluating facial expressions and social cues,". Now a similar phenomenon occurs with people who have faced rejection (e.g., they've been booted out of a clique at school or gotten dumped. "They are generally able to recognize who is and isn't being genuine simply by scrutinizing their smiles." To become a better body language reader, stare someone in the eyes when they smile: "If the muscles around their eyes crinkle, it's the real deal. A faux smile only requires you to move your mouth." Rapid swallowing or blinking and restricted arm movements can indicate dishonesty.

4. Are you a risk taker?
The most successful were not those with the most experienced. Rather, they were the ones whose workers had the most diverse and unconventional backgrounds--in other words, the companies that made risky hires instead of just seeking out the strongest résumés. "Going out on a limb is another bedrock of intuition. When you take risks, you're being proactive, which helps you control events better than when you're reactive,". In essence, you're upping the odds that good things will come your way.

Get in the habit of actively seeking out opportunities to do things that are outside the norm for you. Take an unexpected route on your evening walk just because it feels right, or pick up the phone and call someone who inexplicably pops into your mind. Not only will this get you in the habit of listening to your gut, it will also help you get accustomed to making proactive choices. Chances are, some of them will eventually make a difference. Reconnecting with an old friend, for example, could result in a lead on a great new job.

5. Do you second-guess yourself?

Identify the things you probably know more about than most-- your health, family, and job. If you have a strong feeling about any of these, pay attention to it—and ask yourself as many questions about it as possible ("How long have I felt this way?" "What exactly am I reacting to?"). Then write down the answers and determine whether you're onto something that could warrant further action and ultimately lead you to a wise (aka intuitive) decision.

6. Can you let go and relax?
Scientists are discovering that when you’re looking for insight, taking a break from what you're doing is often the best approach.

"Consciously or not, your mind is always working. Giving yourself permission to let go of your focus and ignore all the maybes and what ifs can make room for you to follow more intuitive ideas,"

Doing something fun can give your brain space for insight, according to Jung-Beeman. So try to find 30 minutes a day for exercise, reading for pleasure, enjoying nature, or even squeezing in a catch-up session with a friend--anything that steers your thoughts away from daily stresses and patterns will help clear your head of clutter. During those times, force yourself to not think of anything in particular. Instead let your mind free-associate--and don't be surprised if the insight you gain leads to an outcome you never dreamed possible.

Shopping-Must Have

Basic wardrobe planning includes these 21 must haves:

1. Classic trench coat : A basic belted trench coat is versatile and comes in a variety of fabric and color options. To avoid looking like a secret agent: Choose a well-tailored option that hits right at (or below) the knee for a polished look.



2. Sexy bikini: The most flattering two-piece is one that's not too skimpy; pick a halter or bandeau top with a hipster bottom for just enough coverage in your sexy bikini. Or play up curves and make legs look longer in a one-piece suit with a high-rise cut.



3. Stylish pair of flat shoes: Give your feet a well-deserved break; try a knockout color like red. Heels aren't the only way to fancy up your feet. From preppy-casual to peep-toe sexy, you'll love the way the right flat shoes look with jeans, dresses and trousers.



4. Sophisticated white shirt: Think of a white button-up blouse as your upper body's version of black pants—it's versatile enough to wear anywhere, with almost anything. Pair your white shirt over a bikini for a weekend getaway or with your favorite pants for work.



5. Cashmere sweater: Invest in a classic style in a statement-making, vibrant color to brighten up your wardrobe. A cashmere sweater is luxurious and versatile—you can wear it to the office, for an evening on the town or just chilling out at home.



6. Sexy camisole: For a hint of sexiness and sophistication, wear this essential underpinning with a jacket or a cardigan. With several flattering styles from silky to lacy, a sexy camisole looks super-stylish on its own too.



7. Slimming A-line skirt: From mid-thigh to knee-skimming or longer, an a-skirt with just enough volume to move with you is always feminine and fun.



8. Fabulous-fitting jeans: Whether faded or tailored, the right pair of jeans will make you feel super-sexy every minute.



9. Signature scarf: The right scarf can add instant impact to a suit or a crisp white shirt. Pick one in a bold color or vivid pattern; tie it around your neck or onto your purse handle, or twist it and wear it as a simple, but vibrant, belt.



10. Confidence-building suit: From boardroom to bistro, an up-to-date, well-fitting suit flatters any shape. And it offers endless style options: Wear blazer and pants with a blouse for that impress-everyone meeting; pair the pants with a crisp white shirt and cashmere sweater for everyday; or add a camisole to the suit (along with a sexy pair of heels) for that evening event.



11. Sophisticated leather belt: Well-crafted leather belt looks polished and completes your look. Pair it over a long blouse, with a suit or to dress up a basic tank.



12. Face-flattering fashion sunglasses: The easiest way to class up any outfit—for work or weekend—is with a super-classy (and UV-protective) pair of fashion sunglasses. A general rule of thumb when shopping for the perfect pair: Rounded frames soften a square jaw line, square frames slim cheeks and rectangular frames add width and dimension to your face.


13. Jewelry you love :Simple but striking, jewelry can give everyday basics new life. Finish off any look, for example, with a pair of simple gold hoops, or opt for a large, chunky necklace (and skip the earrings altogether); either of these will instantly add glamour.


14. A supportive bra: You need at least five of these (or one for every day of the week that you work out). Replace them every year -- otherwise stretched-out fabric won't give you the support and figure flattery you need for a smooth, jiggle-free silhouette. Pick fun colors if you don't plan to wear a T-shirt over it.


15. Comfy lounge pants: Who doesn't love coming home to a pair? In fabrics like terry cloth, cotton or velour, you can pull them on for yoga or wear them to the grocery store (with a pair of comfy shoes) without feeling sweatpants-sloppy.


16. A stay-dry tee: With the evolution of breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics, this closet staple keeps skin dry so you're cooler during workouts (who likes -- or needs -- a soaked tee?). Look for those with antimicrobial fabrics too, which can help prevent sweaty, post-workout aroma. And always opt for bright colors (other than white) to help boost your mood, confidence -- and your desire to work out. Our tip: Have plenty on hand for frequent workouts.


17. An all-around tote: A clunky bag does nothing for a suit or dress. Instead pick a roomy, sleek, well-structured leather tote. You'll look put-together, and it will keep your papers, cell phone, datebook, makeup and more in place.


18. A multifunction watch: Wearing a timepiece is no longer just about helping you stick to a schedule. With the advancement of technology, today's tech-savvy designs tell you the outdoor temperature, the date, the direction you're heading in and so much more.

Fashion Tips for Evening Essentials

1. A clutch purse: Accessorize your evening wardrobe with a sleek, compact clutch purse that's just big enough to hold your keys, cash and cell phone.



2. Strappy high heels: Whether you buy them in satin or leather (silver, gold or black are always good choices), a pair of dressy-looking strappy high heels can be worn year-round to the office—as well as out on the town.



3. Sexy black dress:Dazzle in a classic black cocktail dress with a provocative neckline. The look of a sexy black dress is simply stunning—now and for years to come.