US Media Studios Shares News on What Matters Most to Employees

Most workers know what it will take to keep them happy and dedicated to their jobs and to the companies they work for. If only CEOs would listen and hear what matters most to employees.

It’s Not about the Money

While true that people appreciate a bonus for a group goal, and the occasional cost of living raise on their work anniversary, what matters more is gratitude. A recent report found that 60 percent of workers surveyed placed more value on being appreciated by management than a monetary reward. Gratitude plays a significant role in employee satisfaction and retention. A genuine thank you from the boss or a manager makes the world of difference for many American workers.

Say It Ain’t So

There are some bosses and managers who fall into these categories and US Media Studios hopes they hear us:

• Uncommunicative and emotionally distant bosses do not rank high on any employee’s list about good leaders.
• Business leaders who do not give credit to workers are high on the list (32% of respondents).
• Business leaders who do not give praise or express support fall closely behind not giving credit (28%).
• Business leaders that do not help employees with promotion is a major turn off for most workers (24%).
• Business leaders who view staff as replaceable (and remind them of that now and then) is another factor that compels employees to bolt (13%).

What Matters Most to Employees

Respondents (and most workers, in fact) want to feel appreciated by their managers. They want to know, in real time, that their hard work and dedication is appreciated. They don’t necessarily want to wait until the dreaded mid and year end performance review. If an employee did a good job on something today, let him or her know today. If it was a team effort, then thank the whole team.

USMedia Studios encourages business leaders to show and give gratitude and appreciation to your staff. It goes a very long way in convincing them you care.

US Media Studios Cautions Exercising When Angry

Sometimes, we need to run a few miles, pump iron hard, or throw ourselves into exercise to expend the pent up energy that we feel when angry. It may feel good. It may relieve some stress. And it could cause heart-related problems for people who are generally healthy.

Take a Breather

A massive international study recently tied stress or anger and heavy exertion to a triple risk of having a heart attack within an hour. Stressed out people or people who are angry are more likely to over exert themselves than those who aren’t. While regular exercise is good for everyone, too much of it, and when mad, or working out in the extreme, can be harmful. Medical professionals advise taking a breather and trying to relax for a while before working out, if stressed or ticked off. Take a slow walk. Sit down and breathe and try to clear the stress or anger from the mind. Drink a few glass of water slowly. Listen to calming music or music that immediately changes a bad mood to a good one.

Causes of Heart-Related Exercise Problems

Stress and anger are two ways most people report feeling ill and complain of chest pain—even minor chest pain. They double the chance of someone suffering from heart attack symptoms. Add physical exertion to it, and the chance triples. It’s important to note that the study mentions physical exertion was self reported and could be anything from climbing stairs to training for a marathon. Exercise is defined by individual activities. Exercise for me is doing a 20 minute workout video in the living room. For others, it could be vacuuming the carpet in the house to running 3 miles at steady clip. It all creates exertion. US Media Studios reminds all to find a way to relax a bit when angry, upset or stressed before breaking into a strenuous workout. You’re valuable. Take it easy. 

US Media Studios Asks How to Know if Success is Yours

Success is measured in various ways and defined differently by most people. How will we know when we are successful?

Success Defined

Dictionary.com provides four definitions for success:

1. The favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. Accomplishment of one’s goals.
2. The attainment of wealth, position, honors.
3. A performance or achievement that is marked by success.
4. A person or thing that has had success.

Which one of these fits your definition of success? Some start-up business owners may define it as the achievement of staying in business during the first year. Others may find they feel successful if revenue was higher than expenses, and customers kept supporting them.

Personal Success

Personal success can be defined as personal goals and objectives which are met. It is also having success in love, friendship, and health. People, and business people, will consider themselves a success when they learn something about failure. One failure does not define a business endeavor, nor do many failure. Each one is a chance to learn from it, grow and try again, and try something new.

US Media Studios also relays that the business person who is successful will keep on finding new ways to add to that success. They are never stagnant in ideas or direction. They keep on moving forward putting defeat behind them, and learning from it. Success is not only tangible such as wealth or an honor earned. It is also intangible like good health, a strong family, love, and knowing that every effort was put into the endeavor to produce the outcome.

How do you define success?

US Media Studios Etches Guidelines for Creating Business Names

There is an incredible variety of names from which entrepreneurs can create or choose for their business. But it takes more than just creativity to choose the right one.

What’s In a Name?

What’s in a name? Well, there are plenty of steps to take in finding, registering and keeping that brand new business name that epitomizes your business.

• Research the chosen name online to see if anyone else claimed it. A Google search is good for that.
• Search for the name on the U.S. trademark database.
• Use creative thinking to tweak the business name and search again on the database.
• If not trademarked, apply for the trademark.
• Register the new name with your state.
• Create or update existing website with the new name.
• Create a new logo or update existing logo.
• Notify vendors and utility companies of the new name.
• Notify the bank and any financial institutions of the new name.
• Change business signs.
• Update telephone listing with the new name.
• Update all social media accounts with the new name.
• Order new business-related paper documents, such as business cards and stationary with the new logo and name.

Why All the Bother?

While it may seem like there are many steps to creating a business name, it is best to protect the name you choose by following the guidelines etched in above. No one wants to be hit with a cease and desist order due to using a name which is already registered. US Media Studios encourages entrepreneurs and new business owners to double check business names and take steps to protect the great one chosen.

US Media Studios Shares Retirement Fund Tips

As more Americans approach the age to retire, it pays to review when to take the required monthly distributions. US Media Studios shares retirement fund tips.

Monthly 401(k) Distributions

In most circumstances, the soonest someone can start receiving  monthly distribution from their 401(k) account is at age 59 ½ without being taxed an extra 10 percent early withdrawal penalty.  It’s also beneficial to know that there is no 10% penalty tax if someone retires early because of a qualifying disability or can claim financial hardship. But generally speaking, the US IRS says minimum monthly distributions from a 401(k) must start April 1 following the later of the calendar year when a worker reaches age 70 ½ , or they retire. There are other exclusions too. Take time to review the rules for retirement monthly distributions in your plan.

IRA Accounts

Workers who have an IRA must start taking the required monthly distributions once they turn 70 ½ . But if a worker is still working and doesn’t need the income, it’s best to roll the IRA into a 401(K), if the plan allows it. An exception to this rule relates to Roth 401(K) plans. The monthly distributions are tax-free since they the deposits should have been treated as taxable income while working.

The Four Percent Assumption

The old assumption that a four percent yearly withdrawal would be the perfect amount to add to any other retirement income is a bit outdated for today’s older working and soon to retire employees. Inflation is higher than it was back in the early 1990s.  Today, retirees could need more than a four percent withdrawal rate. US Media Studios notes that the four percent assumption would net a retiree less than they need make ends meet, and would need to be adjusted up, meaning less money in retirement accounts to carry a retiree through several decades of retirement.

In Closing

As financially challenging as it can be with the economy, high prices and jobs outlook today, it pays to deposit as much money as one possibly can into 401(k) and IRA retirement accounts. Many small to medium-sized employers have already stopped matching funds. Keep on adding funds to retirement accounts. Try not to take any withdrawals until absolutely necessary. If financial advice is needed, ask a trusted friend for a referral, a financial institution, veterans’ organization, or a representative from the retirement plan you have now.

US Media Studios Relays 2016 Flu Vaccine Information

Do you get the flu vaccine every year? Nearly a quarter of adults don’t get this annual vaccine for varying reasons. One of those reasons is having a reaction to the vaccine. But very few people who get the flu shot ever have a bad reaction to it.

The Flu Shot and Side Effects 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 157 million to 168 million doses of the injectable flu vaccine available this year. The vaccine is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chance of getting the flu. Yet, the possibility of feeling lousy from side effects keeps some adults away from the doctor’s office, community center or pharmacy. Soreness at the shot site that lasts for maybe two days is one of the aftereffects of the vaccine. Other complaints US Media Studios notes people make after getting the shot are: headache, nausea, and muscle aches, which can be the symptoms of influenza. These last perhaps a day or two and then go away.

Who Should and Should Not Get the Flu Shot

Children 6 months old and everyone else and especially seniors.

Pregnant women can get the flu shot.

Children under 6 months should not get the flu shot.

Anyone with a severe egg allergy should not get the flu shot

The Flu Shot Myth

Every year we hear people say they won’t get the flu shot because they think it will give them the flu. The truth is that the flu viruses are inactive and therefore, non-infectious in the vaccine. One cannot get catch the flu bug from getting a flu shot. If someone does happen to get the flu after getting a flu vaccination, they were already exposed to the virus before immunity from the vaccine was built up.

Stay healthy this fall and winter.

US Media Studios Reviews Fall and Winter Household Expenses

Household budgets are tight for many Americans. Yet, we still will spend a pretty penny to spiff up the home for the fall and winter holidays.

A recent poll from the National Retail Federation estimates that Halloween enthusiasts will spend $8.4 billion getting ready for the yearly fall holiday. That comes out to almost $83 per shopper and almost $10 more per shopper than last year. The estimate includes decorations, candy and the always popular costumes, which many people shop for in physical stores and online.

US Media Studios also notes from the survey that Americans spent more than $626 billion dollars in 2015 on winter holiday preparations. Meanwhile, it’s reported that we spend almost $76 billion dollars on back to school and college shopping, with Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Easter following in that order.

Fall and winter household expenses for home repair and preparation for cold weather should start now before the cold blast of winter air arrives. Check all windows and doors for leaks with special devices found in hardware stores.  A candle or cigarette lighter also works to check for air leaks. Caulk leaky window areas and add padding around the door frame. Run ceiling fans in the opposite direction to move cold air up and warm air down. Use the schedule function on thermostats as it saves electricity.

Fall is a great season to sleep with windows open a bit to enjoy the cooler air at night. If at all possible, it is also nice to open the doors and let fresh in and stale air out. This is assuming there are screen doors to keep closed.

Another way to save money on fall and winter household expenses is to bring out all holiday decorations and sort through them. Throw old ratty decorations and take stock of what is left and usable. Be creative and put Halloween costumes together from what wardrobe in the closet.  Dig deep. There may be some goodies in there!

Everyone likes to dress up for Halloween