The NASPP Blog

It’s that time of year again when thousands will gather to watch the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.  This famous tradition marks the beginning of a New Year, which brings with it the belief that the first day of the New Year is supposed to be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to make a fresh start in one’s personal life or career. Are you starting to think about your New Year’s resolutions? I know I am!  Below I’ve included five recommendations for New Year’s resolutions for stock plan professionals.  I will reveal an additional five recommendations in my follow up blog next week.

First, thoroughly evaluate your career and job role. Are you where you want to be? If not, what needs to be changed?  For example, if your goal is to be a manager of your job function, begin by finding out what certifications you would need to fulfill that job role. The Certified Equity Professional Institute of Santa Clara University (CEPI) has an excellent certification program for equity compensation professionals that might provide you with the credential you are looking for to bring you to the next level in your career.  Visit the CEPI for more information about this program.  From there, develop a plan of action to get to your goal.  You might also look at the NASPP’s job board located here. Browsing the job board can help you better understand what companies are expecting from their stock plan professionals in the role you desire.  And, finally, be sure to get your copy of the NASPP’s Stock Plan Administrator’s Compensation Survey Report to help you assess your earning potential at each phase of your career as a stock plan professional.  Renewing your NASPP membership or joining the NASPP now will get you access to this information today.  Renew your membership at membership renewal or join the NASPP today at join today.

Second, be more organized. It sounds so simple – but it can really help increase your productivity at work. Keep track of what you do each day, and write to do lists for the following day. Even if your manager does not require it, write weekly status reports. This way, when it comes to review time, you can easily reference the work you have done throughout the year.

Third (my favorite!), make professional contacts and network.  Make sure you attend, and actively participate in, at least one professional event each month. It is not enough to just attend an event.  You need to actively participate in these events to reap the rewards from your professional relationships.  There are NASPP local chapters throughout the country.  If you aren’t already actively participating in your regions local chapter events, find out where these events are being held at NASPP local chapters and mark your calendars to be there as an active participant.

Fourth, strive to learn something new every single day. It is easy to get bogged down in the same old, same old.  Listen to the NASPP’s complimentary webcasts, which are free of charge to NASPP members, to learn about some of the very hot topics impacting those of us in the industry, such as IFRS 2 and option exchanges.  Continue subscribing to this blog.  It’s free of charge and I can assure you these blogs will always provide you with the latest news and developments in the stock plan profession.

And, finally – fifth on my list – try new things! If there are tasks at work you are interested in learning more about, don’t hesitate to show initiative and ask to be involved. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn.  The NASPP has a number of online education programs that might just cover a topic you are interested in learning more about.  Take a look at our outline of educational offerings located at NASPP educational offerings.  And, be sure to watch out for announcements about new educational offerings to our curriculum in 2009!

Will this be the year you make good on your New Year’s resolutions?