It’s that time of year again: deck the halls, light the candles and dread the company office party. While holiday parties are generally considered a perk for employees, a surprisingly large number of workers don’t enjoy them. Luckily, we’ve got tips to help you make it through these annual events, and even turn them to your advantage. Read more

You may have heard of an exciting new concept called the “Industrial Internet.” And no, it has nothing to do with connecting your CNC machine to Twitter. In fact, it may be the start of major innovations in the way goods are manufactured around the globe. Read more

Good news for employees this year: There’s a better chance that you’ll get a bonus than there was last year, and it’ll probably be a nicer one. Even employees of smaller companies can look forward to more spending money courtesy of their employer this holiday season. Read more

Hurricane Sandy took a terrible toll, resulting in more than 130 deaths and an estimated $63 billion in damages. Yet events like these are often springboards for great acts of humanity. One inspiring story comes from manufacturer A+ Products. In the aftermath of the superstorm, the company’s staff banded together to aid victims, even as they struggled themselves. Read more

Plus: Circumnavigating the Globe on a Solar-Powered Plane, Smart Windows Select the Right Light and Astronomy Explained Via Comics. Read more

In addition to dealing with the fiscal cliff, Congress is also faced with the question of extending tariff suspensions on certain imports that are essential for American manufacturers. If the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill is allowed to lapse, it could significantly increase manufacturing costs across a range of industries. Read more

Plus: Fiscal Cliff Talks Yield Progress, EPA Introduces Tighter Soot Regulations, Personalities that Ruin Meetings, Better Ways to Use Technology and Learning from the Worst CEOs. Read more