The phenomenon of stock options as employee compensation continues to grow in importance in more and more online and traditional businesses. In fact, an estimated eight million Americans-some eight percent of the workforce-currently hold options, in comparison with only a million workers back in 1992. Yet many people don't know how to take advantage of these plans and are unsure when to exercise their options or how to negotiate to get more options.

This much-needed book helps employees and management understand how options plans work in order to use them to their best advantage. Here are specific strategies on vesting schedules and tax implications, along with real-life examples from plans that readers can learn from.