Research

Employees’ stress levels continue to rise
Workload, people issues and lack of job security topped a list of why some 68 percent of employees reported having high levels of stress at the end of 2010, according to the latest StressPulse survey by ComPsych Corp.  The number of people indicating they had high stress jumped three points from the 2009 survey. “Employers should remind workers of available EAP (employee assistance programs) and work-life services, which can help individuals set and stick to a budget, as well as get counseling to keep stress levels in check,” said Richard A. Chaifetz, chairman and CEO of ComPsych, an EAP provider. Responses to the survey showed:

National Federation of Independent Business picks 7 best business books of 2010

• “Making Money is Killing Your Business: How to Build a Business You’ll Love and Have a Life, Too” by Chuck Blakeman
• “Built to Sell: Turn Your Business into One You Can Sell” by John Warrillow and Bo Burlingham
• “The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime” by MJ DeMarco
• “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh
• “Predictable Success: Getting Your Organization On the Growth Track – and Keeping It There” by Les McKeown
• “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?” by Seth Godin
• “Effortless Entrepreneur: Work Smart, Play Hard, Make Millions” by Nick Friedman, Omar Soliman and Daylle Deanna Schwartz

4 ways to use a company website to interact with customers
Many business leaders think of their company’s website as a one-way customer communication tool. In reality, the way customers interact with a company website can detail their first impressions of the business, said Prasad Thammineni, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of OfficeDrop.