April 14th, 2009
I keep getting quizzed by the boss with indirect questions that I just can’t figure out. And, when I can’t answer the question, he yells at me. Even when I say I don’t understand the question, he’ll yell back, “yes you do, now answer it.” I don’t know how to deal with this.
Oh my Bizpain……a yeller! Why the hell to managers feel they have the right to yell at staff. I just don’t get it and it’s a sign of a weak, untrained, insecure manager.
Well, here’s what I would do. I’d make an appointment with the head of your HR department and address this in confidence. Explain that you’re looking for suggestions as to how to best deal with this. Also, demand that they not address this, that you will.
This will place your firm on notice and if it doesn’t change or it goes down wrong you’ll have properly taken steps to inform your company.
Good luck…….No one and I mean No one should have to deal with a yeller!
Pressley Carson
April 1st, 2009
Payback. Do they have the right? As a vendor to other companies, I have encountered clients who are on the payback route and making life as painful as possible to the vendor by using the economy as a whip. OR they had to lay someone off so we have to pay the price by being insulted or beaten down on price for doing absolutely nothing. It’s like we’re secondary employees and as they downsize their own ranks they’re looking for the next guy to beat up. Not sure I have any options.
Yep, a sales position in this economy is true BIZPAIN! I hope you can understand why? It’s just pure simple survival and they need to squeeze every penny. I wouldn’t take it personally and be grateful that you still have clients. Knowing every penny counts if you’re going to make it through this economy, then you’ll have to sharpen your pencil and give the best price. In the long run, you’ll out perform your competition and still be employed!
Your options in my opinion are to…..suck it up and be happy you have clients….
Pressley Carson
March 30th, 2009
We recently had all of our plants taken out because someone complained about a bug or fly or something. We have open boxes of donuts, foods, etc., trashcans that smell of vinegar and fish, all the time, but the plants are gone because of a bug. We want the plants back. How should we approach this?
Get fake ones? No really, this may be the approach you might want to take. If management made a hard and fast decision to eliminate all plants, then go with it……and get your green from fake ones? Hey, it’s the next best thing…..don’t you think?
Fighting the donuts, foods, etc. is a battle you just won’t win. People love their food lots more then your plants, so think about my recommendation.
If this doesn’t suit you then buy a Chia-a-Pet!
Pressley Carson
March 24th, 2009
I’ve tried to recognize my staff for attendance and punctuality, for keeping the office tidy and organized, for good results and customer compliments, really good stuff. But, I’m out of ideas and I think the others are already stale. What can I do to keep my people pumped up?
Ahh….good for you! I appreciate a manager who tries to motivate their staff in many ways…..be creative! This is a struggle all good mangers have. Here’s my recommendation, go to the nearest book store and buy 1001 Way to Acknowledge Your Staff at Little to No Cost. It’s a great book that has a number of fun, fresh ideas.
A good leader is a good motivator…..keep up the good work.
Pressley Carson
March 11th, 2009
I read that more than a third of American workers are temps, part timers, consultants, free lancers and self employed. If this is the way things are going, is there a resource out there to help me figure out what I should be doing?
Yes, there are some excellent books out there that can help you find the right career. One book that I recommend is called: “What Color is my Parachute” but there are many others. I’d also seek the advice of a professional recruiter. Many times companies offer there employees these types of services; therefore, check with your HR Department.
It’s going to be up to you to make this happen. You’ll need to be vigilant and make this your number one priority!
Wishing you much success…..
Pressley Carson
February 26th, 2009
I really can’t take much more, but I don’t have anywhere else to go. The job market is scary and I’m glad I have work, but so much is being dumped on me, it’s hard to keep up. My boss says it’s delegating, but it isn’t. What should I do?
Yep, this is true Bizpain……so much more work with less resources. Sorry to hear about this. As you said, the job market is real tight; therefore, you may need to learn to live with this. Have you tried documenting the amount of work you’ve been given and how long each task takes? This is a great way to show your boss that the work far exceeds the allotted work hours. Try it; many times it works because it provides a ‘visual’ that can’t be discounted.
Please write me back and let me know if it worked.
Pressley Carson
February 24th, 2009
With all hell breaking loose, I actually have a job opening and my boss sent over two referrals – they’re friends of his family. Their resumes are terrible and one of them was so socially inept in the interview I could barely get through it; the other never showed up. I asked some colleagues and the word is that I need to seriously consider these two knuckleheads for the job. I’m not comfortable with this.
I hate this……you’re in Bizpain recruitment hell. I feel your Bizpain and here’s what I recommend.
Make an appointment to see your boss (one-on-one) and start the meeting by thanking him/her for the referrals. Let them know that you also appreciate their support and thoughts as to whom would be the best candidate to fill this critical position.
NOW, start your case to pass on these two boobs!
Start off with the NO SHOW candidate…..inform you boss that this candidate is not being considered due to their lack of follow up and not showing up for the interview. Say no more…..Now move on to the next looser and state that after meeting with this fine individual you (it would also help if you had another individual at your level interview this candidate and support your “no-hire” stand) and your colleague(s) believe they are not properly suited for the position. Have alternative suggestions for your boss as to what other position(s) this person can fulfill and add greater support to the company.
There, you’ve now let him know both candidates will not receive your support but you did it by offering alternative positions / suggestions. Therefore, your boss has other avenues to pursue vs. just giving him a NO. Now, have the resume of the candidate you do want to hire in your hands and go in for the kill……..lean over and stay “ now here’s the resume of someone that will fit this position perfectly’. Be ready to support why you think this is the best candidate. Have a tentative hire date and salary ready……..
If your boss is a good manager they will quickly get the direction of your meeting and will admire you standing your ground.
So go make this happen and please write me back and let me know how it went!
Pressley Carson
February 9th, 2009
I have to pull back on budget pretty seriously and am not going to fill six open positions. This is going to mean that I shift a lot of work to my already overworked and touchy staff. Worse, I won’t be able to offer overtime and can’t give comp time because the work won’t get done. Any ideas?
Economic BIZPAIN. Wow do I feel your Bizpain and understand. Not sure I have any words of wisdom for you other then, you and your staff are still employed; therefore, keep working and smile. Maybe its time to find another career or company that might not be as tight with the financial purse strings? This is a real hard one because if you move companies who’s to say they won’t do the same? My gut tells me you’ll need to ride this one out as best you can.
Pressley Carson
February 2nd, 2009
One of the managers in the group is late almost every day but the higher ups won’t do anything about it because we think she did something personal for the exec and she’s protected. It’s not fair and is causing bad vibes. No one knows for sure what they did together, but I have word that there are some pictures. What should I do?
A Bizpain picture……I love it, who can you pay to get copies? What should you do, what the heck do you think you should do? My take is that you should MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS……and butt out! Why should you care if she slept with the 7th fleet? Seems to me that you’re pissed because she has alternative work hours and you don’t! Maybe it’s written into her employment agreement? Or maybe she works late or on weekends? The fact is you need to get to work and focus on your individual contribution to the firm and leave these issues to Sr. Management.
Till then, work on getting copies of those pictures…..
Pressley Carson
January 20th, 2009
My boss set up a roulette wheel for employees who hit certain numbers so they can spin it and win something like an iTunes download, an extra hour for lunch, a Starbucks coffee, little stuff. You could it every time someone won something because it would make this loud cracking sound as it spun. Someone didn’t like it and stole the gadget that made the sound and now the wheel doesn’t work, it just sits there unused and the boss hasn’t fixed it. I know he’s pissed at us, but what should we do?
A BIZPAIN crime! Well, while I don’t think anyone is going to jail over stealing the ‘gadget’ it can put a hamper on things. I don’t agree that the boss is pissed; I think he’s hurt. Yep, hurt because he was trying to do something fun and motivating for the team and it was taken away without any explanation. He’s probably thinking your all a bunch of spoiled brats and that’s the last time he tries doing something for you guys.
If you know who the thief was then ask them to return it. Quickly turn it into a joke and make it seem as if its being held hostage. Leave ransom notes all over the office demanding cookies for its safe return.
This may soften the pain!
Good luck!
Pressley Carson
