Archive | Careers

Yes, all this stuff IS mine

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 8, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

As the co-owner of a small, “mom and pop” business, I take everything personally. It is only because of my spouse/business partner’s and my hard work, long term commitment to our company, and personal sacrifices that we have achieved what we have. Every single item in our office, from the pens and paper we use, […]

Continue Reading

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 8, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

When one owns the business, this includes all of the stuff that goes along with it.  And, as Melissa pointed out, business owners must determine the best way to utilized the finite resources one has to get the job done.  What prompted this post is the surprising number of times we have seen people, often […]

Continue Reading

Coffee in the Boss’ Truck

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 4, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

Building on the earlier post about the cost of employee errors, this one is about particular experience we had.  I found a large coffee stain on the floor near the center console of the SUV we own and use to travel to research projects.  Mock jury research requires a large amount of equipment to be […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 4, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

We have consulted on many tragic cases involving employees who have had serious, often fatal, accidents while driving their employer’s vehicle.  It is always amazing to me that many employees seem to believe their employer’s vehicle (not to mention other property) is a benefit to which they are entitled.  In the cases on which we […]

Continue Reading

We Have to Pay for Everything

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 1, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

As the co-owners of a small business, my spouse/business partner and I have to pay for everything. By “everything,” I mean everything. We have to pay for things the employees break; new things to replace old things (most of which work perfectly fine, but are outdated); services provided by vendors; the air conditioning bill, even […]

Continue Reading

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 1, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

This is one of those issues that separates the employer/employee personality.  For most of my working life I have been in the owner position and have had to pay for everything.  As a photographer, this included cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, and film (yes, film and processing), and pens and paper and typewriters, then computers, and […]

Continue Reading

Running a Business is Not all Negative

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 27, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

As I have written some of these posts I have found that a number of them take on an employer  – employee, us vs. them, negative tone.  A few years ago there was a movie out called Horrible Bosses.  I admit, when I first heard that title I was offended.  Though I did enjoy the […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 27, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

When I was in graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in social psychology, the expectation among my professors was that I would join their ranks in academia.  Indeed, all of my peers became college professors.  I never desired a career in academia, preferring instead to work in corporate environments, including as a litigation consultant.  If […]

Continue Reading

Social Outings with Staff

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 25, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees

As a small business owner, and a consultant who travels often to work for clients, my personal time is valuable. However, I also recognize that engaging in activities that foster employee morale is a required part of my job as the co-owner of the company. One of the ways my business partner and I have […]

Continue Reading

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 25, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees

As Melissa says, these are social events, but with a work component.  Typically, attendance is required, or at least strongly encouraged.  In our environment that has never been a problem, but it can be in larger organizations especially if spouses or other family are invited.  The issue is that they are built around “fun” activities […]

Continue Reading

Freak Spotter

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 17, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Trial Consulting

My spouse/business partner and I recently were conducting employment interviews.  One of the candidates took exception to some aspects of the job application, which is a standard form we always use for all applicants.  After assuring him that we were not trying to steal his identity, we had a good interview, but Melissa, the psychologist, […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 17, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Trial Consulting

I am a social psychologist and an expert on judging and predicting human behavior.  In fact, my job is comprised almost exclusively of judging and predicting human behavior and the company I co-own with my spouse exists solely because I possess the education, knowledge, skills, and expertise in determining how people will act.  Time and […]

Continue Reading

Something WILL Go Wrong

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 10, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Travel, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

My spouse/business partner and I strive for excellence, if not perfection, in everything we do on behalf of our clients, our employees, and ourselves. This is a noble aspiration, however, people and situations being what they are, invariably and despite our best efforts and intentions, something goes wrong. Our jury research exercises involve travel, often […]

Continue Reading

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 10, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Travel, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

The “something” which goes wrong can be painful, a big problem, or, more frequently something which is less obvious. It is critical to keep one’s cool when things go wrong – as in “don’t let them see you sweat.” But, that is sometimes easier said than done. For us as managers, it has been important […]

Continue Reading

A Point of View & Another View – Ouch! How Employee Mistakes Hurt

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 6, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

I suppose it is partly because I operated my own business for several years as a photographer, with no employees, that I have a full appreciation for the costs of running a business.  If I broke a camera, or ruined a print, it was “my bad”, and I had only myself to blame.  But, when […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 6, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

As the co-owners of a small business, my spouse and I take everything personally, literally.  I tell new employees, “Look around.  Everything you see here was bought by my partner and me, and paid for, 100%, by money I earned personally.  If you break something, you have broken something that belongs to me, not the […]

Continue Reading

A Point of View & Another View – Staff Meetings

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 27, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

Staff meetings.  One need only read a few Dilbert cartoons to realize staff meetings can be non productive and sometimes painful to attend.  But, used with some forethought, they are an important way to keep everyone in sync and to allow the discussion of issues that require attention outside the demands of normal, everyday, work […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 27, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

I detest staff meetings.  I perceive them as a total waste of my time, time when I could be doing “real work” or just about anything else.  I know how to perform my job and I don’t need to participate in a meeting in order to learn what to do.  These statements aside, I also […]

Continue Reading

A Point of View & Another View – Rock & Roll Analogies

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 25, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

I have been a huge rock and roll fan since the age of 5.  Like many people of my generation, The Beatles changed my life and, once it changed, there was no turning back.  I am still a Beatles fan, as well as a fan of all types of rock and roll music, both classic […]

Continue Reading

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 25, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

Music, in all forms, can contribute to the quality of life.  In fact, there is new research on the benefits of music for memory and mental health.  But in our world, it is a hobby that expands the mind and provides much enjoyment.  I will confess to learning from music, not just about the music, […]

Continue Reading

Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes