English Basics 101

The current business trend of rising dot-com and Internet firms is transforming the job market in the United States. Loyalty has become almost an obsolete concept of the modern day business world. Traditional and "old economy" business corporations and firms are being forced to alter their traditional ways and revamp their employee benefit packages. A laid back, flexible atmosphere along with a large employee compensation packages, that are offered by many new dynamic corporations appeal to ambitious job seeking individuals. The traditional business firms are losing their most talented, motivated employees. The workers are abandoning their current jobs and finding work in risk taking corporations that offer compensation and incentives such as, stock options, 401k plans and telecommuting options. In order for the traditional companies to compete in the modern job market they have been forced to implement some of the new concepts of employee compensation and reevaluate their current systems and environments.

In today's economic environment of low unemployment and increased job growth, U.S. workers are demanding more and more employee benefits. Traditional companies are becoming increasingly aware of the phenomenon of talented professionals constantly changing careers in search of the most beneficial and convenient job. The employees are departing from the traditional business world to work for new business corporations who offer more compensation towards individual employees. They are in search of the corporation where they will receive the largest amount of benefits a convenient lifestyle. "Old economy" companies have come to the realization in order to compete in the new job market they need to and create a more appealing atmosphere and options

Stock options and 401k plans appear to be the most appealing aspects of the new wave employee benefits. Financial compensation through stock options is a special recruitment and retaining incentive that is enjoyed by more than 10 million people. Business analysts believe this number will increase as more and more employers extend stock ownership to their workers. Implementing stock options is a system that benefits the employees along with the employer. At the same time, Employees benefit financially from the ownership of stocks. Employers often feel their workforce appears more motivated and enthusiastic. Employees realize that their actual performance on the job affects the value of stocks that they own.

Prestigious corporations such as Walt Disney, AT&T and Dupont have developed a system called "tracking stocks". These tracking stocks give the employees the opportunity to profit directly from their own performance. The tracking stock method breaks down a corporation into separate subsidiaries and divisions. The employees in the different divisions own stock pertaining to their division only. This method allows the employees to directly benefit from his or her performance on the job. Employees as well as employers have realized that they both benefit from this method of employee compensation.

Another innovative approach to the new business world is telecommuting. Telecommuting is a work design option in which workers are linked to the workplace by computers and modems. American Express and Deloitte and Touche are amongst the prestigious and traditional corporations who have implemented this new concept. Telecommuting as an optional lifestyle is directly related to development and availability of the Internet. The Internet has virtually transformed the structures of nearly all businesses today. Telecommuting is a desirable option to the younger generation of workers who work to live instead of living to work. A high profile business career no longer entails daily encounters of an intense workplace atmosphere. Telecommuting allows an, employees to reside basically anywhere as long as he has access to a computer and modem. A radical example would be a person could live in a hut on a beach in the Florida Keys, but still retain a desirable salary by working through his computer and the Internet. Telecommuting has also influenced women in the business world in a major way. It has allowed women who wish to be mothers to live at home with their children while maintaining their career. Telecommuting has changed the lifestyles that many people in the business world lead.

Another appealing but not as obvious principle the introduction of a casual dress code. Many businesses are changing their dress codes and adopting more casual attire referred to as "business casual". This change is very appealing to employees. A relaxed dress code creates a more relaxed work atmosphere. The current trend of businesses firms adopting casual dress codes has influenced retail-clothing companies to establish clothing lines consisting of business causal attire. Clothing retailers such as Eddie Bauer and J. Crew have recently introduced business casual lines. The implementation of a business casual dress code has not directly recruited new employees but most likely has had a larger influence