E-Fests to Feature Engineering and Entrepreneurial Innovators ...

E-Fests to Feature Engineering and Entrepreneurial Innovators ... E-Fests to Feature Engineering and Entrepreneurial Innovators ... E-Fests to Feature Engineering and Entrepreneurial Innovators as Speakers Feb. 24, 2017 > ASMEs three Engineering Festivals (E-Fests), to be held during the following two months at areas in India and the United States, will include a list of unmistakable architects and business people who will share their encounters, mastery and exhortation with the designing understudies going to the occasions. Enlistment for the principal celebration, E-Fest Asia Pacific from March 3 to 5 in Jaipur, India, is as yet open, and understudies can at present exploit early enrollment for the E-Fests in the United States and get up to a $50 rebate on every one of the two occasions. The new E-Fests will join learning openings spinning around configuration, propelled assembling and apply autonomy with social exercises and amusement, for example, organizing meetings and shows. The first of the two U.S. occasions, E-Fest West, will occur from March 17 to 19 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. E-Fest West will highlight three energizing trailblazers from the creator and 3D printing fields - Dale Dougherty, Eva Hakansson and John B. Rogers, Jr. - as keynote moderators. Understudies who pursue E-Fest West by March 16 can enroll at the limited cost of $125 - an investment funds of $25 on the normal cost. Dale Dougherty, CEO and author of Maker Media Inc., will be a keynote moderator at E-Fest West in Las Vegas. One of the E-Fest West keynote speakers, Dale Dougherty, was instrumental in propelling the Maker Movement, having established MAKE: Magazine in 2005 and sorting out the primary Maker Faire in the San Francisco Bay Area a year later. The organizer and CEO of Maker Media Inc. in San Francisco, Dougherty was proclaimed by President Barack Obama at the 2014 White House Maker Faire as an American trend-setter who had made noteworthy commitments to the fields of instruction and business. Dougherty likewise co-wrote the book Free to Make: How the Maker Movement Is Changing our Jobs, Schools and Minds with Adriane Conrad. John B. Rogers, Jr., CEO and prime supporter of Local Motors, will likewise introduce a keynote discourse at E-Fest West. The second E-Fest West keynoter, John B. Rogers, Jr., is the CEO and fellow benefactor of Local Motors, a Phoenix-based engine vehicle organization engaged with low-volume assembling of open-source engine vehicle structures utilizing microfactories. Established 10 years back, the organization makes vehicles utilizing 3D printing and outlines provided by the online vehicle plan network. Having recently presented the gathering sourced Rally Fighter car and the 3D printed Strati and Swim vehicles, Local Motors propelled Olli, an independent electric-fueled transport, a year ago. Eva Hakansson, Ph.D., the architect and manufacturer of the world's quickest electric bike, is likewise planned as a keynote moderator at E-Fest West. Initially hailing from Sweden and presently living in Colorado, Dr. Hakansson utilized her designing and 3D printing aptitudes in building KillaJoule - an electric cruiser fit for dashing at 270 miles for every hour - in the two-vehicle carport in her back yard. Hakansson earned both a bosses degree and a Ph.D. in mechanical designing from the University of Colorado in Boulder, just as unhitched males degrees in business organization and ecological sciences from Mlardalen University in Sweden. Eva Hakansson, the fashioner and developer of the world's quickest electric cruiser, will be a keynote moderator at both the E-Fest West and E-Fest East occasions. Different speakers scheduled to show up at the three-day occasion incorporate Noël Bakhtian, Ph.D., the 2016 ASME Foundation Swanson Fellow; Jennifer Jewers-Bowlin, partner, Henderson Engineers Inc. what's more, previous VP of the ASME Centers Sector; Paul Stevenson of McCormick Stevenson Engineering and Design; Justin Young, of Denmar Technical Services and previous seat of the ASME VOLT Academy; Colin Rawson from 3D Systems Quickparts; and Noel Wilson of Catapult Design. One of the keynote moderators at E-Fest West, Eva Hakansson, has additionally been affirmed as a keynote speaker at E-Fest East, which will be held from April 21 to 23, 2017 at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn. Understudies can enroll for the celebration through Feb. 28 at the $100 prompt riser cost, or from March 1 to April 20 for $125 and still spare $25 off the ordinary cost. Amy Elliott, one of the keynote speakers at E-Fest East at Tennessee Tech University, is a staff specialist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the venture lead for the world's first 3D printing candy machine, the DreamVendor. Joining Hakansson as a keynote moderator at the occasion will be Amy Elliott, Ph.D., staff specialist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the venture lead for the universes first 3D printing candy machine, the DreamVendor, which was presented in the spring of 2012. As a staff scientist at ORNLs Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) since 2013, Elliott works with individuals from U.S. industry on the vital utilization of 3D printing innovation, directing exploration related to industry endeavors in the region of cover streaming, through which she researches new materials frameworks in earthenware production and metals. She got a Ph.D. from the Virginia Tech DREAMS (Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing) Lab in 2014, where she examined inkjet-based 3D printing. Various different speakers have likewise been affirmed to talk at E-Fest East, including Greg Haye from at Local Motors office in Knoxville, Tenn., Adam Kimberlin from NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, Amip Shah of Hewlett Packard Labs, Rob Gorham of America Makes, Thomas K. Kirkpatrick from McHale and Associates, Kevin Christopher of Christopher Intellectual Property Law LLC, Lonnie Love of ORNLs Manufacturing Systems Research Group, Kirk Sorensen of Flibe Energy, Navya Rahhoji of Nissan North America, and Steve Wilson from Southern Company. For more data on the ASME E-Fest program, to enroll for either E-Fest West or E-Fest East, or to see the total rundown of E-Fest speakers, visit http://efests.asme.org.

What Should You Do More Of In Your Job Search Be proactive

What Should You Do More Of In Your Job Search Be proactive Would you like to feel in charge during your pursuit of employment? Heres how to run a proactive quest for new employment where you drive your exercises and discover openings that will coordinate what you are searching for in your next activity. There is such an incredible concept as wear out in work search? Just as you exhausted yourself in your activity, so can you over-work yourself in quest for new employment. So Im not proposing you work more enthusiastically. Im proposing an answer for assist you with working more intelligent. You need to run a proactive pursuit of employment. Furthermore, you likewise need to apply your time and vitality suitably and center around the exercises with a higher pace of return. I don't get this' meaning you ought to accomplish a greater amount of? Permit me to present the business channel. You may have known about the business pipe. Be that as it may, for those of you who havent or arent acquainted with deals, this idea could be a distinct advantage. The Sales Funnel = Proactive Job Search Do you perceive how the highest point of the channel is greater than the bottom? Thats in light of the fact that it takes a lot increasingly hot prompts create new clients. I understand you arent searching for new clients. Youre searching for a new position. Heres how the business channel applies to your pursuit of employment. You start with a great deal of likely clients (target organizations) which eventually prompts the individuals who might need to turn out to be new clients (work). All together for the objective organizations to get mindful and intrigued by you, youll need to characterize what openings may exist, either now or later on, and afterward make a proposition (continue) to address their requirements. As the procedure goes on, youre conversing with less individuals who are increasingly intrigued, until you end up with the individuals who enlist you. Leads Leads, for this situation, are NOT work postings from work sheets. Leads originate from referrals from your systems administration endeavors or prospecting objective organizations. That is the reason I suggest work searchers have in any event 40-50 objective organizations. These are organizations that you are keen on and have been known to enlist the job you want. Openings As you seek after these hot leads, you are evaluating whether they are feasible open doors for you. Here and there they are, once in a while they arent. The main way you can locate this out is to have discussions with individuals who work in that target organization and ideally a recruiting administrator. At the point when you reveal organizations that sound fascinating, youll need to keep in contact with them efficiently. Support that relationship to remain top of psyche and manufacture a feeling of trust. (Keep in mind, individuals purchase from individuals they know, as and trust!) Resume/Proposal In view of your evaluation of the chances and its suitability for you, you will make a proposition (continue). The entirety of your reality discovering, exploration and discussions ought to permit you to compose a convincing recommendation that tends to the particular needs of the association with the hot lead. Without data, it will be hard to compose a convincing resume. By what method will you accumulate information? Systems administration. Another explanation your quest for new employment may not be doing admirably is that you are utilizing a conventional resume. This doesnt address the one of a kind needs of your future business. A one-size-fits-all resume cannot come to an obvious conclusion of your past experience so the organization can without much of a stretch perceive how you offer the correct fit or arrangement. Become familiar with todays current resumes. Propositions for employment On the off chance that your resume and introduction (prospective employee meeting) address the issues of the organization, at that point they become your new customer. at the end of the day, on the off chance that they think they cannot live without your administrations, they will be enticed to broaden you an offer, either for a current activity or one they make only for you. To what extent Does This Take? It takes any longer than you need. Lets put it that way. Be that as it may, it doesnt essentially take longer than applying to posted employments. Fortunately utilizing the business pipe, you are in charge of your pursuit of employment. There are the same number of chances as there are target organizations on your rundown. This proactive, directed methodology additionally permits you to take advantage of the shrouded activity showcase. Since as you most likely are aware, not all occupations are posted on work sheets. Particularly those at senior levels. So to what extent will it take you to reveal the hot leads? At the end of the day, to what extent will it take you to distinguish at any rate 40-50 objective organizations? How forceful will you be in following up on referrals and solicitations for gatherings with individuals inside your objective companies? How well would you say you are utilizing your system? In deals, the more costly things take more time to close. The equivalent is valid with recruiting. A pay is a high-ticket thing for the organization. That is one explanation it takes organizations such a long time to make close the deal. And lets not overlook, individuals doing the recruiting additionally have day by day/week by week pressing issues and a huge number of other high needs to address. Including new ability for the most part tumbles down lower on the rundown. What would it be a good idea for you to accomplish a greater amount of? So as to run a proactive pursuit of employment, youll need to prospect hot leads. Find out about what target organizations need. What's more, be a known element. The entirety of this implies much all the more systems administration. picture credit to getentrepreneurial.com

Focus your interview on fit - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Focus your interview on fit - Viewpoint - careers advice blog A job interview is not just a tool for an employer to find the right people for their business; they’re also an opportunity for you, as a candidate, to assess whether that employer is the right fit for you. A recent study conducted by my team found that more than a third of Canadian employers say personality fit is the main reason new hires quit the business after only a few months, so it’s important that you use your interview time wisely to determine how good a fit the employer is. It’s important that you find the right fit for you. Feeling out of place in an office can quickly lead to dejection and poor productivity. There are several factors which make up a business’ culture and personality which indicate whether, ultimately, it’s the right fit for you. Here’s what you should be focusing on in your interview: 1. Work/life balance If you and your manager have different expectations about how intense and arduous your working schedule is going to be then you will soon run into problems. For instance, if you’re producing excellent work within your stated hours but your manager still expects you to stay late into the evening, as that’s the culture that the business has adopted, then you will quickly become frustrated in your role. By simply asking how important a healthy work/life balance is to the employer you can resolve this problem at the interview stage. If you feel that this question could be interpreted as you being lazy then you can ask roundabout questions such as whether the team have many social events or activities in the evenings or throughout the week. 2. Familiarity Feeling out of place in an office can quickly lead to dejection and poor productivity Are you usually formal and polite, or relaxed and familiar? Finding a team in which you are comfortable interacting and communicating with your colleagues can be the reason you leap out of bed in the morning, or the reason you hit snooze one more time. Try and establish whether the team bond is a strong, personal one or whether social interaction is discouraged in favour of hard-work (not a good sign!). Also ask questions around the structuring of the business and whether a fun and positive environment is supported right through the business or not recent research suggests that playfulness is the way to go in the workplace. 3. Conformity Different industries and companies have different expectations around conformity, from dress codes to work practices. Decide if it’s important for you to be able to determine your own approach, or whether you would rather follow an established process. It can sound a little inappropriate to ask whether you’ll be allowed to wear jeans to work in the interview, so structure your line of questioning with more subtlety. Perhaps dress smart to the interview and, once there, ask whether you’re overdressed or not. 4. Teamwork Independence versus collaboration, solitude versus teamwork â€" some roles are almost entirely a team effort while others require a lot of self-motivation and independence. Finding a job with the right balance for you will reduce work stress and make you more comfortable in your role. If you feel comfortable talking to the interviewer then its likely youll be a good fit You should already know from the nature of the job title whether the role is one which requires constant collaboration or not, however you can further validate your inferences during the interview. Ask questions such as ‘How dependent are other people on me and my duties?’ to establish whether you are a key cog within a vast system or more of a lone wolf. 5. Gut instinct Having explored all of the above factors then it’s up to you and your gut instinct. If you feel comfortable talking to the interviewer and the interview has been a pleasant experience of cordial conversation then it’s likely you’ll be a good fit for the business. Feeling instinctively that you have good rapport with your interviewer/future employer is sometimes the very best indicator that you’ll fit in well. It’s not all about them Don’t sell yourself short by giving the employer a monopoly on the interview. It’s also your chance to conclude whether they’re the right fit for you. Ask the employer plenty of questions and focus on the factors above to help you decide how good a match both of you are for each other. Do you have an interview coming up? Read our interview tips to ensure its a success:   Share this blog:

5 Signs Fear is Stunting Your Growth And How to Fix It

5 Signs Fear is Stunting Your Growth â€" And How to Fix It There are things in life that are a great idea to be terrified of, similar to a hot oven or falling on the metro tracks or a neighbor who spruces up like comedians for entertainment only, you presume? There are additionally things in life that are bad to be frightened of, such as disapproving of an assignment when youre overpowered at work or declining to hit submit on an application.Despite your best goals, profound established feelings of dread about yourself or your general surroundings can be a major boundary to carrying on with a satisfying life, complete with genuine development potential and certified articulations of self. How might you realize dread is keeping you down? These five signs are a decent spot to start.1. You settle.The first approach to realize dread is keeping you down? Its creation you quit. In the event that youre settling in a vocation that is simply OK, a relationship that is lost its flash or a day to day environment youre not amped up for, quit tricking yo urself: you arent impervious to change, youre frightened of it. On the off chance that dread is shielding you from facing challenges and following what you need, its shielding you from arriving at your maximum capacity most likely in more than one circle of your life.2. You procrastinate.If youre continually putting off significant undertakings or activities, you might be experiencing a genuine instance of dread. Stalling can be an indication that youre scared of a host things: how you will perform, what others will say about your exhibition, how it will pile up to desires, and so forth. Delaying shields you from taking advantage of lucky breaks and making the most out of your time two things that are important to be your best self.3. You state yes way too often.If youre continually saying indeed, its opportunity to consider if youre reluctant to state no. On the off chance that you can't turn down a greeting, an undertaking at work or an additional kindness for a friend or family m ember when you truly need to, your dread of what others consider you or what will occur on the off chance that you state no is keeping you down. Its keeping you away from securing your time, your psychological wellness and your capacity to choose whats best for you. That is no real way to come to your most elevated potential.4. Youre an extraordinary perfectionist.If you are fixated on the quick and dirty of each venture you deal with, incapable to assign undertakings or cruelly self-incredulous of each move you make, it might be an indication that dread is running your life. Outrageous compulsiveness is an endeavor to apply control when being crazy feels frightening. In any case, if youre incapable to surrender authority over the minutia of regular day to day existence and commit your vitality to the things that issue, your dread is holding you back.5. You dont voice your opinions.Similar to stating yes time after time, declining to voice your feelings is an indication that dread c ontrols your life. In the event that youre too stressed over how others will respond to state how you believe, you arent encountering the world as really as possible on the off chance that you expressed your real thoughts. A terrified communicator doesnt get the intriguing discussions, development openings or deliberate cooperations that a certain communicator does.If youve read the focuses above and absolutely relate, there are little advances you can take to begin checking your dread and open yourself to solid dangers. Here are only a couple of thoughts albeit an authorized advisor or specialist knows more than me!1. Concentrate on what youre great at and what you love about your life.To help your certainty and start to face challenges, center around whats going right as the aftereffect of your certainty and capacities. Help yourself to remember your unique aptitudes and gifts next time youre stressed and deferring a weight filled undertaking. Help yourself to remember how great y ou are at relational correspondence next time youre too terrified to even think about sending a systems administration greeting. What's more, disclose to yourself you wouldve never understood that condo you love or that position youre extraordinary at on the off chance that you didnt leave your last one.2. Question your reasoning processes.Next time you end up pondering how terrifying or incomprehensible an assignment is, wonder why you feel that way. Odds are, your concerns are really unjustifiable. In the event that youre stressed over saying no next time your companion requests that you watch her little girl, wonder why. Shes not going to despise you if youre occupied or need some an ideal opportunity to yourself. Also, if youre stressed over imparting your insight in a gathering, inquire as to whether your manager is truly going to recall whether you state a word wrong or offer a conclusion she can't help contradicting. Remind yourself she has such a great amount of continuing i ncluding her own fears.3. Practice mindfulness.Mindfulness rehearses, similar to reflection or yoga, can help oversee dread by interfacing with your body, easing back your pulse and thinking more calmly.4. Counsel your help network.One of the most ideal approaches to suppress dread is talking through them with a system of individuals who bolster you. Conversing with individuals who will help you to remember your abilities and gifts, and urge you to follow up on them, can be vital to relinquishing apprehension and taking advantage of the lucky breaks life offers. Next time youre stressed over taking a risk, converse with somebody who you know has your wellbeing on a fundamental level and ask their conclusion. Odds are, they will instruct you to put it all on the line and pinpoint the things about you that make them sure it will work out in a good way.

39 questions to make small talk with anyone

39 inquiries to make casual conversation with anybody 39 inquiries to make casual conversation with anybody There's nothing very like breaking the conversational boundary with a companion or colleague. So as to arrive at that degree of friendly affinity, however, you need to bear a touch of little talk.Lots of individuals think that its hard to make casual conversation, and it's nothing unexpected why: You're frequently going in cool, attempting to comprehend somebody about whom you know nothing. Casual discussion can be an extraordinary impetus for genuine discussion - and get you to your ultimate objective of encouraging a neighborly compatibility with somebody - yet you need to realize how to do it.The following are 39 of the best inquiries you can have at your disposal when you have to make casual discussion with somebody. Forego the customary climate related inquiries and dive further to discover your shared characteristics and their eccentricities. These seemingly insignificant details are what has the effect among associates and companions, and you can reveal them with even the most diminutive piece of conversational finesse.Ladders is currently on SmartNews!Download the SmartNews application and add the Ladders channel to peruse the most recent profession news and counsel any place you go. What's the last book you perused? OK suggest it? What good cause or social causes do you support? What's the quirkiest thing about the town where you grew up? What was your first employment? What creature do you believe is your soul creature - the creature that best speaks to what your identity is? What's your best gathering stunt? Some other shrouded gifts? How could you get into your field of work? Okay prefer to have a go at something other than what's expected? What's the best café in your general vicinity of the city? What's the most intriguing food you've at any point attempted? Which thing on your can rundown will be the least demanding to handle? The most troublesome? Disclose to me one strange thing about your day today. What's your preferred accomplice to wear? What number of do you own? What's the best thing you've at any point purchased at a second hand store/swap meet/yard deal? Okay rather investigate another city or unwind on the sea shore when you take some time off? In the event that you could have any superpower, what might you pick? What's your extravagance TV appear/melodic craftsman/film? What city have you visited that you discovered generally rousing? How could you pick your major in school? When you were youthful, what did you need to be as an adult? What was your first vehicle? What do you use for transportation now? How would you clear your brain in the wake of a monotonous day? What film last made you chuckle? What's the most mind blowing yet evident thing that is ever transpired? Where have you voyage that enlivened you? What non-work, purposeful venture would you say you are taking a shot at? Do you follow the zodiac? Do you think your sign speaks to you? On the off chance that you had a free full circle plane pass to anyplace on the planet, where might you go? What's the best show you've at any point seen? Who in your life would you decide to be your accomplice on The Amazing Race? What's your go-to feast to cook in the event that you need to intrigue a supper visitor? Do you gather anything? Why? What's the best exhortation anybody has ever given to you? What melodic act would you say you are biting the dust to see live? What was your senior statement in your secondary school yearbook? Have you at any point cherished a film that pundits despised, or the other way around? What was your preferred high schooler film? What podcast(s) do you tune in to get you through the drive? Do you take any classes or practice a specific leisure activity? Okay prefer to? What's the craziest way you've at any point voyage? Sight-seeing balloon, camel, airship… ? Finish it offOnce you have remembered the casual conversation addresses you need to use at your next gathering or systems administration occasion, catch up on your conveyance. Regardless of whether you're not one to make casual chitchat, with a weapons store brimming with questions you can ask with certainty, you'll be visiting it up right away at all.It's likewise not an impractical notion to practice how you'll make your exit from the discussion. You would prefer not to leave somebody scrutinizing the whole discussion since you didn't have the foggiest idea how to appropriately say goodbye to the person in question. Along these lines, pardon yourself respectfully and end things on a high.Finally, consistently become familiar with the individual's name and recall it whenever you see that person, regardless of whether it's later at a similar gathering or at another social affair. There's a contrast among tuning in and hearing, and connections are shaped just when you're truly hearing what somebody needs to state. What's more, despite the fact that it's casual banter, you can at present get familiar with a great deal in case you're paying attention.Now get out there and associate without an ounce of fear. You comprehend what you're doing, and you'll be satisfied that you practiced.This article was initially distributed on YourCoffeeBreak.co.uk.

Company 401K explained and broken down in laymans terms

Company 401K explained and broken down in laymans terms Candidates  have choices beyond the 401K This is a well-intentioned start, but the real benefit is in the 401k Candidates  have choices beyond the 401K When markets are tight for talent, employers add  more benefits to the menu. (I consider Seattles job market to be tight.)  These could include free food, entertainment, flexible work schedules and unlimited vacations to name just a few. I found this downloadable infographic  What Top Talent Really Wants: The 10 Best Workplace Incentives which HR professionals and candidates alike should pay attention to. This isnt your parents workplace and their employers are rolling over in their graves at the mention of unlimited vacations. Just like the buyer should be aware of their options, the millennial candidate should know about their benefit choices. 401K and The Match This week’s post is on the topic of the 401k, explained in lay persons terms. The benefits in the above-mentioned infographic are relatively straightforward. I find that the 401K match has the nuance that is usually misunderstood by younger generations so  I am going to try to give a couple of high-level thoughts on behalf of the company and the employee. Big thanks to one of the smartest guys I know. It would not have been able to be written without the help of a financial guru I really admire and consider a personal friend,  @barstonel. Seriously, you should follow this guy.     This post came up because of a couple of different reasons. @barstonel  and I  worked together at a Fortune 100 company and found that most recent graduates were not familiar with 401k’s. They had heard of the term, they knew it is a retirement plan, but they didn’t understand the mechanics and benefits. This makes complete sense. If our company is their first job out of school, they probably haven’t run into a  401k plan before. The schools are not providing education on the 401k  and most of us don’t listen to our parents when they tell us to save money. Not fully understanding a 401k is understandable.  I just cant sit back and not do anything  about it. Once a month, I meet with a number of HR execs in the city that are leading the HR teams within their companies. Last month there were several different opinions on “match” or “no match”, but the one thing everyone agreed on was the fact that we all wished someone sat us down early in our career and explained the potential of the  401k. We all wished someone said “DONT BE A DUMBASS, YOU WILL PARTICIPATE”.  I was the only one at the table that had an education in 401Ks, and my education was from family. 401k education wasn’t part of the company culture.   What is this blog post? This blog post is an introduction to the 401k. I am not going to go into IRA’s or stock options. If you are going to participate in a 401k, because of compounding interest, the earlier you start the better. I want to give folks a foundation on the 401k so they can start their exploration for further information. My goal is to seed inspiration so we ask questions. I am OK with folks not participating (sort of) but as long as it is an informed decision. I also want to show the benefits of misunderstood “the match”. So who is HRNasty and @barstonel? @barstonel  has a biochem degree, worked for biotech his entire career in finance departments and has his MBA. Yes, he is maxing out his 401k.  HRNasty is an HR guy. He is not a CPA, an investment broker and does not have his Series 7. I am just trying to provide information on a very basic and misunderstood benefit that most companies offer and yes, I am maxing out my 401k. When I have worked at companies that didnt offer a 401k, I pitched the exec team and made sure we did.   What is a 401K? A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan sponsored by an employer. It lets workers save and invest a piece of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.   Taxes aren’t paid until the money is withdrawn from the account. Before we go into the mechanics of a 401K, let’s get some basic facts  out there. 401’s are voluntary. Employees do not have to participate and not required to contribute to the fund. This fund is not the companies. The company is not able to access these funds. These funds are the employees. The company pays a third-party to manage the funds on behalf of the employee, but the company doesn’t have access to the funds. They can deposit funds  on behalf of the employee but are not able to withdraw. You can stop your contributions at any time and you can adjust your contributions at any time. If you are 25 years old, you are NOT locked into 40-year commitment of contributions. If you move from one job to another, you can leave your contributions in the original fund or you can move them to your new employer’s fund. No tax penalty.   We are living longer than we were. Recent graduates are expected to live to be 89 years old. If you retire at 65, we need to sack away enough savings to last us 24 years. If you are living off $50,000.00 a year now you will need at least $1.25M to retire at todays costs. Remember, our cost of living will probably be more when you are in your 60’s.   The company offers a 401K as a benefit to its employees. Government regulations allow employees to save up to $18,000.00 tax-free through a 401K, or $24,000.00 for those over 50 years of age. Without this benefit, government regulations only allow savings up to $5,500.00 tax-free through an IRA, or $6,500.00 for those over 50 years of age. Some companies feel that it is their responsibility as an employer to provide a retirement plan for their employees. Other companies try to differentiate themselves as an employer by offering more robust benefits in their competition for talent. The employee designates how much money they would like to be taken from their paycheck (pre-tax) each paycheck and these funds are invested and managed by a professional, third-party. The employee has the choice of what funds they want to have their funds invested in. If the employee is unsure, the third-party usually has a simplified formula ANY employee can use to figure out what funds they should invest in. This formula just asks a few questions.   Years until retirement? How much do you feel you will need a year after retirement? Is your personality type risky or conservative? (How much risk do you want to take with your funds) Folks early in their career will usually wait for their funds in more risky categories (with higher investment returns historically) and those later in their careers will shift to the conservative. The thought is not because of youth being reckless. The thought here is that if something happens to the economy and things go badly, a young person has more time to make up for any negative swings. A person later in their career won’t have as much time to make up losses so may want to play it a little more conservative. If we do  take the funds out, we pay a penalty. Some 401k’s will allow you to borrow against your funds.     The Match This is what the 401K is all about.  This is where the 401k gives the finger to all the other benefits out there. It literally says I am FU Money. This is where you NEED to pay attention. Some companies “match” the contributions that the employees make into the fund. Companies that match are usually larger and profitable, but I work for a smaller start-up and we match up to 4%. (Did I say it was competitive in Seattle) So what does this mean? Let’s say you make $50,000.00 a year. 4% of $50,000.00 is $2,000.00.   Spread out over a year’s time, this would be 24 contributions (paychecks come out two times a month) of $83.33. Over the course of a year, if an employee contributes $2,000.00 into their 401k, at the end of the year, the company will match that $2,000.00 and put that additional $2,000.00 into the fund in the employee’s name. The employee’s $2,000.00 contribution just became $4,000.00. So, your $50,000.00 salary just turned into $52,000.00. This is an extra 2-week paycheck!! You do NOT participate in your 401k You can spend the money, but remember, this $2,000.00 becomes $1,500.00 after Uncle Sam takes his 25% tax. BUT: Contribute $2,000.00 ($83.33 per paycheck) over the course of a year. If your company matches up to 4% on a $50,000.00 annual salary, they will be contributing an additional $2,000.00.   That $2,000.00 contribution just became $4,000.00 and we saved $500.00 in taxes.     You can think long-term, contribute $2000.00 and turn it into $4000.00. OR, you can think short-term, plan to spend $2000.00 and only end up with $1500.00 after taxes. $4000.00 vs. $1500.00, you do the math. Our  personal counsel If you do not have any other alternative forms of savings (EG: IRA, Stock portfolio, etc.), start a 401k. It is easy, convenient, and tax-free. Per government regulations, we can contribute up to $18K a year, or $24K a year if over 50 years of age. Early in our career, we may not be able to afford the full $18K, but as we get more seniority and larger compensation packages (thanks to reading this blog), we will be able to contribute more over time. So just contribute what you can. Maybe it is $25.00 per paycheck, maybe it is $50.00 per paycheck. Think about how much we spend on coffee, Coke or cigarettes every 2 weeks. I am not asking you to go cold turkey, but just look for perspective in your spending vs. saving. Your future self, will thank you, me and @barstonel. If we receive a raise or a cost of living adjustment, we can contribute some or all of the additional income into our 401k. We were able to live without the raise, so we wont miss it if it goes into savings. If we were living on $50k a year and received a raise to $52K a year, use part of or all the $2K increase for additional 401k contributions.   As we look to  2017, think about a New Year’s resolution, think about taking care of your family after you retire, and ask your local finance or HR person about your 401K. Seriously,  follow  @barstonel.  You know that guy is maxing out his 401k contributions and skipping out on a new pair of shoes to do it.   See you at the after party, HRNasty nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone who is good at something. “He has a nasty forkball. If you felt this post was valuable please subscribe here. I promise no spam,

Ascertaining Your Awesomeness (One Year Later) The 2012 Etsy Success Symposium

Discovering Your Awesomeness (One Year Later) The 2012 Etsy Success Symposium Manohmanohmanohman. When I saw my Inbox top off with data about the 2012 Etsy Success Symposium, I did two things all the while: First, I went, Ohmygosh as of now?! How could that be?! Second, I rushed to my schedule (and by ran I mean clicked, however I did it excessively quick, you all) to check whether Id be allowed to go. A years ago Symposium shook my reality (and gave me the after influence feeling of tears-and-appreciation, which is the best spot to be in), and keeping in mind that I didnt believe that Id feel all around ok to show up (my last schmemo was Tue, and for the most part by Fri I have an instance of the Big-Time Tireds), I RSVPd to the Online Labs with the expectation Id have the option to thud myself before the PC for a workshop or four. So the purpose of this post isn't just to reveal to you that The Etsy Success Symposium Is Always Amazeballs And You Have No Excuse To Miss It Since It Streams Online So Mark Your Calendars for Tomorrow And Get All The Info Here , yet in addition to reflect/celebrate/develop one of the significant features of 2011 for me: being a speaker at the 2011 conference. I glance back at my workshop, Ascertaining Your Awesomeness Articulating It Without Sounding Like an Ass, and still pillar: its something I still wanna go on and on needlessly, something I despite everything think could help those now who are hoping to make their statements of purpose/lift pitches/pronouncements (if that is you, watch the chronicle above get everything that went with it directly here its time all around spent, I guarantee!), something that I despite everything base my workshops around both in topic (my next onell be Unveiling Your Uniquity ( How the Heck to Apply It to You Passionate Career)) and introduction style (I recount stories and give my a-has/takeaways, at that point pose inquiries and make ya answer em on the spot, at that point leave ya with a touch of schoolwork). Im still new to talking and realize I wont have the option to accomplish more until one year from now, however Im pleased with myself for making virtual workshops so I can in any case workshop-it-up at home. Im kicking the bucket to know whether you worked through my workshop a year ago (or have done it from that point forward), did it help you, um, determine your marvelousness articulate it without seeming like an ass? What stuck? Whats changed from that point forward? Do you go over your mission proclamations/lift pitches/declarations semi-consistently to check whether its still appropriate to your objectives/business? How would you despite everything need assistance in finding your uniquity as well as having the option to converse with individuals about how amazeballs you are without feeling like a disgusting sales rep? If you don't mind leave a remark offer it to me straight. I wanna hear (and help)!