Is There Such a Thing as Paying
Too Much Bonus?

Incentive Bonuses. Why do we pay them? How much is enough? How much is too much? Bonuses are a fact of life in business but few of us develop confidence in our decisions about how to administer them. Before it was politically incorrect to do so, we used to call them "Christmas bonuses" and the extra money was to help us overspend for the holidays. In more recent times, particularly through the lean years of the mid-seventies, bonuses disappeared from many companies, especially from smaller and privately-owned ones. A survey done in 2003 showed that 61% of employers intended to pay bonuses to their employees and 62% stated that they did not plan to have layoffs. That was a significant change in the pattern from previous years. It also makes it appear that good bonuses are a result of (at least should be) good business climates.

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Giving Back during the Holidays to
Build Team Unity

The holiday season is the perfect time to build team unity and refocus team direction for the New Year. One way companies can do this is through company volunteer projects. The projects not only encourage giving back to the community, but they create a positive work environment through teamwork.

Twice per year, the staff of Creative Business Resources volunteers as a team with Project C.U.R.E., a local nonprofit that delivers health and hope to the world by packing up unused medical supplies and delivering them to communities in need. President Aaron Witsoe can attest to the benefits of team volunteering.

"Our employees really look forward to our volunteer days," said Aaron Witsoe. "It gives us an opportunity to build team unity by working together and you can feel how that positive energy carries over to our day-to-day work."

Many local nonprofits are more than willing to host volunteer groups year round and a volunteer project is a great opportunity to learn about causes that are important to a company's employees.