Some of my fellow bloggers at the Compensation Cafe' have been writing recently on how to address the issue of today's small merit budgets with employees and managers.  Here are a few links to help you with these issues:

• 10 Things Your Managers Must Tell Employees about Your Teeny, Tiny Merit Budget by Margaret O'Hanlon
• 10 Tools for Communicating a Teeny, Tiny Merit Increase Budget, by Margaret O'Hanlon
• Despite Pay Dissatisfaction, Most Employees Expect to Maintain Current Level of Benefits in 2010, by Becky Regan
• Show Your Creativity as a Rewards Professional, by Doug Sayed

In addition, I would add a few other key thoughts, such as:

• Job Titles: Are They Really Free? by Ann Bares
• Food for Thought: Pay for Performance Obsolete?, by Darcy Dees
• Agility. The New Reward Watchword, by Ann Bares via Compensation Force

So, while there may be a shortage of funds available for organizations to distribute, there is no shortage of ideas and creative strategies for addressing today's challenges.  If there was ever a time to show your worth as an HR and/or compensation professional, now would be it!