photo credit: Bigstockphoto Employee engagement has had quite a run in the spotlight, and many organizations are intent on cracking the code to develop and sustain high levels of engagement that, in turn, drive other business performance outcomes. Research suggests a direct connection between engaged employees and a variety of performance outcomes, including productivity, profitability, reduced turnover, and customer experience.

Shutterstock In one of my favorite commercials, a security person stands idly by while a bank robbery occurs. In response to the people waiting for him to take action, he explains, “I’m a security monitor, not a security guard. I only tell you when there’s a robbery.” The tagline is, “Why monitor a problem if you’re not going to fix it?” Many people treat their calendar the same way – as a picture of what is often a very sad reality.

Shutterstock Dear Liz, I have a big problem. I started a new job in August. I was a Call Center Team Leader inmy last job, andnow I’m a department manager. My boss travels a lot but I don’t need much supervision. I’m the Manager of Account Services for a company that organizes group tours. Watch on Forbes: I supervise eleven part-time and full-time employees.

Part Of The Series “Breaking Through Career Inertia” Photo: iStock Of the thousands of professionals I’ve worked with and heard from in the past 11 years, a good percentage want help to ascend the corporate ladder – to be promoted, recognized and rewarded for the good work they’ve done and the contributions they’ve made. Many also want significantly more compensation, responsibility and leadership authority as well.

International Business Machines launched Watson solutions for enterprise in 2014. Even though close to 63% of its value stems from software (middleware and operating system) and technology services business, the fast changing delivery mechanism for software (Cloud Software as a Service) and its deployment (Infrastructure as a Service) has affected top line growth in more than one way.

Shutterstock Dear Liz, You are a creative person and I know you will have great ideas for me! I’m the owner and CEO of a software startup with 42 employees so far. What should I give my employees as a holiday gift? I want to thank them for a great year, our best ever. Thanks Liz! Yours, Doug Watch on Forbes: Dear Doug, Congratulations on your outstanding year! Ask your employees what they want. Don’t send around a survey.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) Plans. Dreams. We all had them growing up. When we are younger we’re taught to believe that if we plan properly, our dreams will come true. I went to college with the intent of being a plastic surgeon. I majored in neurobiology and physiology, but in my junior year decided to throw it all away and go into fashion. Fashion was not part of the plan. Fashion was never the goal. So much for plans.

McDonald’s restaurant employees rally after walking off the job to demand a $15 per hour wage and union rights during nationwide ‘Fight for $15 Day of Disruption’ protests on November 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (David McNew/Getty Images) As the labor union-backed Fight for $15 beginsyet another nationwide strike on November 29, I have a simple message for the protest organizers and the reporters covering them: I told you so.

Shutterstock Dear Liz, I worked at our local community college as the Assistant Director of Career Services for fourteen years, and I loved that job but it was time to leave. I know hundreds of people in our community, and when I announced thatI was leaving the college to start my own career coaching business, I was flooded with congratulatory messages. “I will send you every job-seeker I know!” my friends and colleagues said.

Is Apple set to Wow the world with a radical new iPhone? A rash of leaks from a variety of credible sources strongly suggest so, and they promise a level of reinvention we haven’t seen from Apple in several years. Here’s the breakdown. 2017 Apple iPhone OLED concept design.