Employers should make market data a smaller part of their compensation decisions and should focus on performance-driven strategies that will motivate and retain employees, according to Brad Hill of Tandehill Human Capital. Hill outlines 10 steps employers should take in order to maximize their return on investment in employee pay. Step 1: Compensation will become part of the employment value proposition. Hill notes that most employees leave their company for reasons other than pay, such as a lack of career development or unhappiness with management.

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in Internet content security, has reported that in the U.S., UK, Germany, and Japan, employees in small companies took more online risks while on the company network compared to their counterparts in larger organizations. This is the result of a study that explores corporate computer users' perceptions of and experiences with security threats.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) continued its review of Statement 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, (SFAS 140) and FASB Interpretation No.

By Bruce L. Katcher, Ph.D. President, Discovery Surveys, Inc. - Only 54 percent of employees feel they have a good future with their current organization. Why do they feel this way?Some have doubts about the future of their organization. They fear that the company could go out of business, merge with another, or be acquired.More often they feel their performance is not valued.Ironically, our research also shows that most of these fearful employees will stay with their organizations anyway and continue to live in fear and unhappiness. Here's why they stay:

Last week The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts. The new standard clarifies how FASB Statement No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises, applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises, including the recognition and measurement of premium revenue and claim liabilities. It also requires expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts.

Robert E. Denham, chairman of the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) Board of Trustees, has announced that Teresa S. Polley has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of the FAF, effective immediately. Polley had been serving as Chief Operating Officer on an interim basis for several months."We are delighted to recognize Terri's impressive leadership in naming her as President and COO of the FAF," said Chairman Denham. "For 20 years Terri has served the organization in a variety of roles, adding value to everything she has touched.

The dynamics of the intersection of race and gender were the focus of research findings released last week at the national symposium, Research to Roadmap: Accelerating the Growth of Businesses Owned by Women of Color convened by the Center for Women's Business Research. The research is the first release of the results of a multi-year study conducted by the Center for Women's Business Research in partnership with Babson College exploring the impact of race and gender on the growth of businesses owned by women who are African-American, Asian, Latina and other ethnicities.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued FASB Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S.

Entrepreneurs considering franchising can now access a new online course from the U.S. Small Business Administration and FranNet to help them navigate the competitive franchise industry.The introduction to franchising course, Franchising Basics, is a free online seminar which provides three key sections that examine more than 10 essential areas relating to franchising, including, "Is Franchising Right for You?" and "How to Choose the Right Franchise." The course also covers franchising options, strategies for growth, and pitfalls to avoid.