Nearly 10 million Americans receive stock options, up from 1 million a decade ago. At most of today’s start-up companies, as well as at many large ones such as Starbucks Corp., Coke, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., stock options are the “real money” being put on the table for valued employees. More companies are following the trend towards employee stock options, and individuals who know how to take advantage of such incentives can become rich. Millions of workers now face compensation decisions that used to be presented exclusively to executive insiders. Tom Taulli, who writes a semi-monthly column on stock options for CBS MarketWatch, has written a practical, readable how-to book for the expanding ranks of employees at companies that award stock options. Taulli explains the basics of stock options, including vesting, exercising, and taxes. He skillfully guides readers through the complex language and logic of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, contract terms, and securities laws. Taulli shows readers how to negotiate for the best contract and what to do once the options are in place. He provides guidance on using hedging strategies, reducing estate taxes, and getting the right professional advice. He also explains researching stock options, finding out what “developmental stage” a company is in, and recognizing the pitfalls of stock options, such as insider trading and Rule 144. Tom Taulli has successfully negotiated stock option deals for himself, has advised others how to do the same, and is closely connected with the network of fast-growing companies for which option compensation is now the coin of the realm. Smart advice on: * Different types of stock options, including warrants * Negotiating the best terms * Tax considerations * Strategies for diversification * Web resources and other useful tools * Concerns for estate planning and divorce * Finding the best advisers * Who’s who inside the top law firms Author:  Tom Taulli Hardcover: 231 pages Bargain Price Company:  Bloomberg Press (2001-03) List Price:  $29.95 Amazon Price:  $5.78 Used Price:  $2.95

Guidelines for curbing today’s stock option abuses, and making “payment for performance” the new imperative Stock options account for up to 90 percent of the average CEO’s compensation–despite a falling stock market and often plunging corporate earnings. Stock Options and the New Rules of Corporate Accountability examines this hot-button issue, proposing new methodologies and techniques for better aligning stock options, executive compensation, performance rewards, and accounting, and making sense of what has become today’s most controversial form of compensation. Executive compensation authority Don Delves explains how high-profile corporations like GE and Coca-Cola have opted to expense stock options and have adjusted their policies to prevent options from becoming disincentive tools, and he shows others how to follow suit. In addition, Delves gives decision makers the knowledge they need to: Increase accountability by treating stock options as expenses Balance options with other incentives Create healthier contracts between employers and employees Author:  Donald P. Delves Hardcover: 288 pages Company:  McGraw-Hill (2003-09-23) ISBN:  0071417540 List Price:  $39.95 Amazon Price:  $30.00 Used Price:  $5.59