Office News

A look at some of the most popular business lunch venues in Seattle, Washington.

Bistro Baffi Italian Fine Dining

Bistro Baffi is one of those amazingly well-kept secrets of the Seattle dining scene. While it does the majority of its business during the dinner hours, there is a great lunch menu that allows you to have a professional lunch out with clients. They specialize in northern Italian cuisine at Bistro Baffi, and there are a wide range of menu options to satisfy any type of craving in your party.

Georgian

Georgian is one of the more expensive lunch options out there, but they are definitely worth it. The atmosphere is one of supreme class, and it presents an air of finesse that will make any business lunch go off without a hitch. While there are some extremely fancy things on the menu here, there are a lot of very basic options as well. Read More »

As tech companies offer higher pay for developers, ten cities stand out in the U.S. as the highest paying for IT jobs. San Jose, San Francisco and New York offer the highest salaries. Those who are searching for the highest paying IT jobs obviously need to head west. Statistics from the recruiting company CyberCoders points out that the average salaries in San Jose and San Francisco average $14,000 more than in third ranked New York City.

The top 10 list does contain cities scattered throughout the U.S. where lucrative jobs can be found. Major cities like Boston, Washington D.C., Dallas and Chicago are included on the list. The greatest increase in salaries has come in mobile development positions. However, IT salaries have gone up across the board in the last year. Individuals who acquire multiplatform skills and are able to design and code within the constantly changing world of mobile applications become the highest paid workers.

The cities that rank highest in pay for IT jobs in high-range, mid-range and low-range salaries are:
1. San Jose, CA
2. San Francisco, CA
3. New York, NY
4. Washington, D.C.
5. Boston, MA
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. Brooklyn, NY
8. Philadelphia, PA
9. Chicago, IL
10. Dallas, TX

The Roche Group is pushing back the frontiers of healthcare in 150 countries, employing about 80,000 workers. It has become one of the largest research-based healthcare groups. Genentech, a subsidiary, has led the biotech industry for over 30 years. They use human genetic information to develop specialized medicines for life-threatening diseases. The headquarters for Roche pharmaceutical operations are located in the U.S. Their philosophy is that the employees are their most important asset and they are dedicated to maintaining a great work place along with providing the best salaries for IT workers. Their CRM Techs provide expert technical information for Genentech’s Commercial Operations. They are responsible for maintaining project work, enhancements, and problem solutions. They work with onsite contractors and a Poland-based development team. These workers must be familiar with a variety of databases, with a strong technical foundation that includes advanced structured programming. Salary compensation for these positions is among the highest in the field.

CompuTech, located in Clarkstown, NY offers Desktop Support Tech positions with a world renowned computer manufacturing company. These are contract positions requiring backgrounds 5 years’ experience in both HP hardware and software, Windows XP and Windows 7 maintenance. Salaries are commensurate with experience and skill levels.

Similar positions may be found in any of the cities listed above. Depending on the applicant’s skills and training, and where he wants to work, high-paying IT jobs are available throughout the country.

The Three Airlines With the Best Lounges in the U.S.

Business travelers need the perks of high quality airport lounges where they can unwind and rest between flights. Space for meeting with colleagues provides an additional advantage. Competition between different airlines for business and first-class passengers means that their lounges provide the best possible amenities including massages, limos to passenger’s next flight, and five-star dining. The question then becomes which airlines actually have the best lounges? These three top the list for those in America.

The Virgin Atlantic lounges rate number one with most passengers. ‘Air America’ Business Class Lounge at Miami International Airport offers all the expected amenities desired to soothe the spirit and relax the body of passengers after their flight. The latest movies are available for viewing on wide-screen while the traveler relaxes in elegant comfort. A sauna and massage will get any passenger ready for the next leg of the journey. Read More »

Business Seminars in LA, San Francisco, San Diego and Irvine

It is not difficult to locate a variety of business training seminars in California. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno and Irvine are favorite hubs for such seminars and businesses from all over the country come to take advantage of the lovely weather, wonderful facilities and excellent motivational speakers to improve their management personnel’s working skills.

Courses in Public Speaking are readily available to management and other personnel. These seminars include improving personal confidence in presenting material effectively to a large audience. Clear, concise communication skills are encouraged through -question/answer- teaching methods. One and two day courses are available that encourage actual speaking situations rather than lectures. Learning and practicing public speaking skills soon become second nature to the individual’s style of speaking. Read More »

Mattel

Mattel is the world-renowned manufacturer of toys that has virtually cornered the market on toys in all major countries. Through it or its subsidiaries, most children throughout the world have at least one toy made by Mattel or its subsidiaries. They employ around 31,000 people, making them one of the largest businesses in the country. Their compensation package is decent enough to retain a good majority of those employees for years.

Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation has put on some of the biggest, most popular concerts in the world, and is becoming a major behemoth in the live entertainment industry. The company has recently been cleared to buy out Ticketmaster, giving it an even larger stake in the live entertainment industry. Live Nation Entertainment has almost 16,000 part time employees, and 4,700 full time employees.

Walt Disney Company

More familiar to western audiences as simply “Disney,” this company has been providing entertainment products for years via its different brands. Between the theme parks, the studios, and the many other businesses that it is involved with, Disney maintains a workforce of more than 156,000 people worldwide. The turnover here is fairly low in the United States, however the Walt Disney Company sees quite a bit of turnover in its international divisions.

Hilton Hotels and Resorts

Founded in 1919, the Hilton family of hotels has always been seen as one of the highest standards in hospitality. Not only was Hilton the first hotel chain to have locations coast to coast in the United States, but it is currently one of the largest hotel chains in the world. The company employs people around the world, as it operates in 78 countries throughout six continents.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a defense contractor for governments around the world. It is listed as the fourth largest defense contractor in the world, and is one of the 100 largest companies in the United States. Currently, Northrop Grumman has a workforce of 120,000 people worldwide. The company is widely considered to be one of the most “military-friendly” businesses in the United States, meaning it’s easier for former military members to get jobs here.

Occidental Petroleum

Occidental Petroleum is one of the largest petroleum companies operating worldwide. The petroleum side of the business is actually only one part of the many things that Occidental Petroleum does, and it branches out into chemical manufacture and other types of production. At last count, Occidental Petroleum has 11,000 employees working in its worldwide operations.

KB Home

KB Home is a house manufacturer that was once based out of Detroit, Michigan. Now, its operations are based in Los Angeles, and it is the largest manufacturer of homes in the country. It was also the first publicly traded company in the New York Stock Exchange to be classified as a “home builder.” It is a Fortune 500 company, and has been consistently named the “Most Admired Homebuilder” by Fortune for years.

Reliance Steel and Aluminum

Reliance is a Fortune 500 company that has been around since 1939. The company primarily deals in the production and sale of a number of specialized metal components for construction, but they aren’t limited to this. They currently employ 9,640 people in both a part time and full time capacity.

Mercury Insurance Group

Mercury is one of the largest insurance companies in the country, and has a workforce of roughly 5,000 people. They made waves recently as one of the only national carriers of insurance to work its way into some of the tighter state markets. Some states with tougher restrictions on insurance are often avoided by national carriers, meaning that Mercury Insurance Group is one of only a few engaged in this practice.

Univision Communications

Univision is one of the largest Spanish-language communications companies in both the United States and Mexico. The company was founded in 1992, and it employs people from Mexico to the United States in a wide variety of programming. Univision carries everything from news to variety shows on its networks, many of which are produced in-house. The production operations of Univision Communications are mostly conducted out of Miami, Florida.

Landmarks represent the richness and diversity of culture, history and heritage. It is no accident that many famous landmarks are used as corporate offices. Companies that commission such buildings have the power to create constructions that are impressive enough to become famous corporate landmarks. Here are several examples of striking corporate landmarks that incorporate a range of styles from high-tech modern to neo-classical. Each building has a function or feature so unique that it led to being famous all over the world.

The Woolworth Building in New York was designed in 1913 to be the tallest building in the world. From its completion until 1930 the building was the tallest in the world. The building was commissioned by Frank Woolworth to be the new corporate headquarters of Woolworth. The building is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the United States and the architecture resembles European cathedrals. The building was owned by the company for until 1998. Today, it is a monument not only to the originator of Woolworth, but the architect, as well who won acclaim for his detail and use of Gothic forms. Since 1966 the building has been a National Historic Landmark and a city landmark since 1983.

The US Bank Tower in California is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city of Los Angeles, as well as one of the city’s’ most famous buildings. When this building was completed it became the tallest building on the Pacific coast. It is the most recognizable building in Los Angeles and is often used for shots for television programs and movies. The top of the building brightly illuminates at night. The building was designed to withstand earthquakes of an 8.3 magnitude and even has the world’s highest helipad.

The Chrysler Building is a famous corporate landmark in New York City and in 1930 it was the tallest building in the world for a while. Chrysler had asked the architects for the highest building to compete with competitors, also trying to have the highest building. It was a highly decorated office building, because Chrysler wanted a bold structure and he got it. Chrysler was hoping that such a distinguishing structure would make his company a common household name. Although, Chrysler lost command of the structure during the 1950’s, the landmark still has the original name. Today, it is one of the most well-know buildings in the world. Additionally it is one the city’s greatest display of Art Deco and a national landmark.

The Sears Tower is a famous corporate landmark located in Chicago, Illinois. This skyscraper was designed for the Sears Company as their headquarters. The building was designed with additional space for expansion. Since, Sears was by far the biggest retailer in the world in 1969. The project was a disappointment, because it was unable to attract tenants and was sold to new owners in 1993. The top of the tower is the highest point in Illinois. Since then the building has attracted major tenants and is a highly desirable business location. The skydeck is on the 103rd floor, 1350 feet above ground and on a clear day tourists can see far over the plains of Illinois and across Lake Michigan. Every year thousands of visitors are attracted to the renowned famous skydeck.

The GE Building is a famous building in New York. It is a skyscraper in Manhattan and forms a focal point for illustrious Rockefeller Center. Three related companies are associated with this building, G E, Westinghouse and RCA. Previously the building has been known as the RCA Building. Today the building provides headquarters for NBC and General Electric. It is most famous for housing the NBC network. It was the first building to have grouped elevators. The building boasts a height of 855 feet and has 70 stories. The modern design features an open floor plan and was awarded the status of being a landmark in 1985.

The luminous Wrigley Building is a world famous office tower in downtown Chicago. The goal of Mr. Wrigley was to create an impressive headquarters for his company. One of the buildings most well-known features is the huge clock-tower and is a landmark in Chicago. In addition to being home for the Wrigley Company, the building houses many other companies. The flood lighting of the building at night is one of the nation’s most major commercial displays of light. For over 70 years the building has been one of Chicago’s most attractive structures. The well-proportioned architecture and the lighting have established the building as a symbol of the city in many motion pictures, books and television programs. It definitely is an unforgettable image at night for both residents and visitors.

The west coast is renowned for its top-flight business schools. By and large, the most well-regarded of these schools are in the state of California, and they are exceptionally competitive. Obviously, private colleges are known for being more competitive in nature. However, state colleges in California are almost equally as competitive, meaning that mostly high-level students consider going to California to get their business degree. Here are the top five of what west coast business schools have to offer.

University of California – Davis
The University of California – Davis is known mostly for its graduate level degree programs, and it is renowned for its collaborative atmosphere and approach to teaching. The business program boasts only 175 full-time students, with that number almost doubling for part-time students. The school was established in 1905, and it has since become very popular with working professionals as a way to expand their education while still being able to keep working. It offers an extensive amount of night class options so that students can get their degree while working around corporate office schedules and general business hours.

The University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business
Established in 1960, it is the largest of the campuses in the University of Southern California school system. It is ranked at number 15 in a list of the top worldwide PhD-level business research institutions. It boasts an enrollment of 460 students at the full-time level, with 830 students enrolled at the part-time level of commitment. The part time MBA program for managers and professionals is an extremely popular program at USC Marshall. It allows people to work on their MBA over a 33-month program while still being able to hold to their professional commitments and obligations. More than half of all graduates of the business programs here are already employed by the time they graduate.

The University of California – Los Angeles
The Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles has a moderately-sized enrolment, and offers a wide range of options for people looking to expand their business credentials. The school of management here was founded in 1935 as a mostly undergraduate-focused institution. In the years after the installation of the MBA program, this focus shifted to more advanced business-themed curricula, resulting in a highly sought-after set of graduate programs. The school gets most of its funding via private donors, and accepts very little money even though it is a public school. The school is known for its diversity, with a number of different cultures being represented on the campus.

The University of California – Berkeley
The Haas School of Business at the University of California’s Berkeley campus is a highly-prized public institution with a mid-range enrolment of a little over 400 students. The school is a recognized leader in the burgeoning e-commerce economy, offering degree programs in e-commerce as well as other technology-based management programs. Founded in 1898, the Haas School of Business focuses on programs that stay ahead of the curve on the mixture of technology and commerce and has always had a history of doing so. Haas is consistently ranked as one of the top ten business schools in the entire world by US News and World Report, as well as The Economist.

Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Graduate School of Business is regarded as one of the best schools in the entire world, and consistently ranks as the top school for business on the west coast. There are many that argue Stanford’s supremacy as the top business school in North America. Established in 1925, the school has a broad range of study options for both professional students and those who do not yet have a career in business. Stanford also has a reputation for mixing business education with an understanding of how business can positively influence society and the environment. The college was recently ranked number one in a review by the Aspen Institute of colleges that incorporate social and environmental issues into their curriculum.

Famous students of Stanford include co-founders of Google Sergey Mikhaylovich Brin and Larry Page, as well as Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. Tiger Woods also attended Stanford on a full golf scholarship.

Sherilyn McCoy – Johnson and Johnson
As vice chairwoman of the home-goods behemoth Johnson and Johnson, McCoy is responsible for much of the company’s successes over the years. She had been the chief of the pharmaceutical division of Johnson and Johnson for years before she was tasked to revamp the consumer side of the company’s operations. She is credited with being integral in bringing Johnson and Johnson up to snuff with their competitors on the consumer side of the business, and is the likely successor to current CEO Bill Weldon.

Meg Whitman – Hewlett Packard
Meg Whitman is the current CEO of Hewlett Packard, the largest technology company in the world by revenues. She was once a candidate for the governorship of California, and is noted for her ability to reach compromises with diverse individuals. These skills are thought to be a large part of why she was hired for this job, since the board of Hewlett Packard is notoriously dysfunctional. Read More »

Sotto Sotto
Sotto Sotto is a mainstay of the Atlanta, Georgia, dinner scene, and has some of the best Italian dishes in town. The biggest thing that customers say they love about Sotto Sotto is the consistency of the dishes. They can be sure that the dishes will be cooked to roughly the same specifications every time they come to the restaurant. With many ‘finer dining’ establishments, this is not always the case..

Aria
Located on East Paces Ferry Road, Aria boasts some of the most eclectic choices of any restaurant in Atlanta. Not only does it have a great, diverse menu of delicious meat and vegetarian options, but renowned pastry chef Kathryn King is on staff here. This means that Aria can offer its customers a very well-rounded dining experience, making it very popular for birthdays.

Miller Union
Miller Union is located on Brady Avenue, and is known throughout the city as the place to go for traditional southern cuisine. However, thought it’s a traditional place, don’t expect the food to be without a little extra flair. Miller Union has gone a long way toward tastefully enhancing the traditional southern fare that people have grown to love. It does all of this with a wide range of dishes, and without compromising its traditional heritage.

Bones
On Piedmont street, you’ll find Bones steakhouse. This is a traditional steakhouse that has a number of things going for it that make it very special. First of all, owners Susan DeRose and Richard Lewis run the place with exceptional tenacity. They are obsessive perfectionists, that work very hard to keep their special recipes secret. They even keep the source of their beef very close to their chest. This is definitely a unique place to eat.

Empire State South
Empire State South can be found on Peachtree Street, Midtown Atlanta, and it is well known as one of the most creative restaurants in town. Their menu is constantly changing, as the owner and the head chef come up with new ideas for dishes constantly. The little tweaks that they do to their dishes to account for the seasons also make them very popular. This is the place to go if you want to dine on something absolutely unique and creative.

Tomo
Tomo is located on Cobb Parkway, smack-dab in the heart of a strip mall. While the location may not be what you would call extravagant, this certainly does not take away Tomo’s reputation as the best Japanese restaurant in town. In fact, many people say that the location allows people to feel more comfortable and just enjoy a great meal.

Holeman and Finch Public House
Located on Peachtree street, Holeman and Finch Public House is renowned for their amazing pork dishes. In fact, most people look at this restaurant as the only place in town to get a high-class pork meal. They also serve a wide range of alternative foods like rabbit livers and sheep testicles for the heartier diners out there.

Cakes and Ale
Cakes and Ale is located on West Ponce de Leon Avenue, and is known for one big thing: simplicity. The simplicity of the menu may seem boring to some, but it is really an amazing display of chef Billy Allin’s confidence in his abilities to make fresh-tasting, amazing food. This is the place to go if you want something simple and tasty.

Restaurant Eugene
Restaurant Eugene is the top Southern/New American fusion restaurant in town. Located on Peachtree Road, Eugene takes the best of what southern food has to offer, and it adds a tasteful bit of class that creates an altogether new dish. This is the place to go when you want a little of the ordinary, and a lot of the extraordinary.

Bacchanalia
Located on Howell Mill Road in an old meat-packing plant, Bacchanalia stands as a testament to what good food and a great atmosphere can do for a meal. The place is home to a number of amazing dishes, and the restaurant itself is a sight to behold. Instead of the fancy trappings found at most restaurants like this, Bacchanalia has a decidedly more industrial look, and it creates an amazing atmosphere.

Elite Staffing
Elite Staffing has been connecting employers to new employees since 1991. Its mission is to provide an extensive screening, interview, and networking service to both employers and job-seekers. Elite Staffing is one of the many employment companies in Chicago that deal with a wide range of industries. They don’t simply find employees for a certain type of industry, and this makes them very popular.

AppleOne
AppleOne is unique among the various employment agencies in the Chicago, Illinois area. Instead of simply connecting job-seekers to employers, AppleOne provides a large number of employment resources as well. They offer resume services, a job-hunting guide, and a newsletter as part of those resources. Due to this focus, AppleOne is focused on helping their job-seekers find long-term, career-oriented employment.

BPS Staffing

BPS Staffing bills itself as a ‘full service’ staffing company. Their focus is both long and short-term employment, and they have a number of resources to help you reach your employment goals. For job-seekers, BPS Staffing has one of the best track-records in Downtown Chicago for employment. For employers, BPS Staffing conducts a very extensive screening process to ensure only the best applicants make their way through.

Banner Personnel
Banner Personnel is the premier employment agency in Chicago that specializes in ‘office-based’ work. Their entire service is set up to help link employers in the administrative, academic, and insurance industries with qualified individuals. They accomplish this by conducting an intensive screening process that ensures only the most qualified, motivated workers make their way through the process. Banner Personnel is a member of the National Association of Personnel Services and the Illinois Search and Staffing Association.

A-Pro Temps
A-Pro Temps is one of the most independent staffing agencies in the city. They are a privately owned business that specializes in every aspect of the employment process. They are especially popular as a direct-hire agency, and they have a great track-record of positive employment results. Their screening process is a little more lax than other agencies. Though A-Pro Temps is located in downtown Chicago, it serves the surrounding suburban community as well.

The Esquire Staffing Group
The Esquire Staffing Group has been connecting employers and job-seekers for over half a century. They are a family owned business that connects employers to full-time staff, temporary staff, and even event staff. The screening process at Esquire Staffing Group is among the strictest in Chicago. This means that applicants need to be prepared to take the application process very seriously.

First Associates, LTD
First Associates is a very popular staffing company in Chicago. It boasts the most easy-to-use website of the various employment agencies on this list. Through the web portal, employees can do everything from job-hunt to access useful employee resources. First Associates is highly regarded in the banking, financial, legal, and accounting industries. Despite this, they also help many people find work in other industries.

A Personnel Commitment
A Personnel Commitment is one of a few successful ’boutique’ personnel firms in Chicago. They have a very good track-record in executive recruitment and mid-level staffing. Employers looking to fill an executive position will find that the screening process here is much more personalized than at other staffing agencies. Instead of relying on an institutionalized screening process, A Personnel Commitment looks at the unique qualities of each applicant.

The Larko Group
The Larko Group is a trusted supplier of workforce solutions to over 200 employers in the Chicago area. The Group has been working closely with employers to meet their needs for decades. They have developed a reputation for giving each of their employment partners a personalized experience that focuses on each clients unique needs. The Largo Group even sends an employment specialist to the office of each client to get a better understanding of what the client needs.

The Chicago Hire Company
The Chicago Hire Company spends a lot of time working with employers to figure out exactly what they’re looking for in an employee. The focus here is on building long-term relationships with their clients. As a result, they are noted for having a great deal of success in matching employers with a qualified workforce.