All Entries in the "Volume 3, Issue 9" Category

Levitating Frogs

At a recent networking event for entrepreneurs, rather than asking yet another question about each other’s business, each attendee was asked to tell the group what they liked to do in their spare time. For the most part, the answers were uniformly similar, and sad.

Every entrepreneur at the table was pretty much stumped by the question. Everyone was superbly equipped to expound on some product or service they offered. No one was prepared to reveal what they like to do when they weren’t working on their business – because they were always working on their business.

Dedication is a wonderful thing. Hard work is admirable. However, is total dedication simply obsessive behavior or is it necessary, especially when first starting your business? Can obsessive, unrelenting, all-consuming attention to your business be counterproductive?

Being the most knowledgeable in your field is obviously a good thing. Being seen as dedicated is commendable, but, in the long run, it can lead you astray.

Have you ever been ruminating on a problem for days or weeks and suddenly, when you aren’t thinking about it the answer comes to you? Why is it that all your focus, note taking and planning can’t crack the nut, but the resolution pops into your head when you don’t expect it? It’s because that’s how our brain works.

Our brains take in all the information we’re exposed to and, over hours, days, or even weeks, it eventually sorts it into relatable categories. It then files the information away until something triggers us to recall it, even if, or especially if, we’re not thinking about it.

The other piece of the puzzle is the type of information we absorb. If we only take in one subject, our thinking, or our approach to problem solving, will never evolve. We will never think “outside the box.”
Andre Geim has won both a Nobel Prize and an Ig Nobel. The second award is given to scientists for experiments so outlandish that they “first make people laugh, and then make them think.” Part of the process Geim uses is to encourage his fellow scientists and students to look at their work through the lens of a branch of study, which does not reflect their field of expertise. By doing this, he’s found that the very lack of knowledge allows them to attempt experiments that “experts” would not try because they “know” that it would never work.

Let’s relate this back to levitating frogs and entrepreneurs. Dr. Geim was able to levitate the frog using the incredibly weak magnetic properties of water when others wouldn’t even try it because they “knew” it wouldn’t work.

As entrepreneurs, we need to encourage interest and study outside of our “field of expertise” for the same reasons. When we push our thinking beyond our comfort zone, then the real fun begins.
So, put down the pencil, take your fingers off the keyboard, or whatever it is you normally do, and see if you can levitate a frog or two.

Personnel Practices: Potential Legal Liability for Employers at Corporate Events

Company-sponsored events can be a great way to contribute to employee morale, raise the company’s profile in the community, and provide an opportunity for positive public relations. Many employers hold events, such as holiday parties and summer outings, as a way to thank employees for their service. Other employers may sponsor or organize community or charitable events in order to give back to the communities where they’re located. When planning a company-sponsored event, Rhode Island employers should be aware of several pitfalls so as to potentially avoid unexpected liability.

Liability for injuries sustained by employees
Typically, employees who are injured during their voluntary participation at employer-sponsored social or athletic activities are not entitled to workers’ compensation. However, to the extent that the employee’s injury was caused by the negligence or other misconduct of the employer, the employee may be able to recover damages against the employer in a civil lawsuit. Although employers should always ensure the safety of their employees, employers should be particularly mindful that workers’ compensation insurance may not cover injuries sustained at company events, and the employers may otherwise be responsible.

Vicarious liability issues
Rhode Island courts generally hold employers liable for the acts of their employees committed within the scope of employment. Although factual issues may arise as to whether attendance at a company event is considered an activity “within the scope of employment” for legal purposes, employers should nonetheless be mindful that any injuries caused by an employee at a company event may give rise to a claim or lawsuit against the employer, whether or not the injured party ultimately succeeds.

Employers should be particularly cautious at events where alcohol will be served. Although Rhode Island courts have not yet adopted the social-host theory of liability with respect to adults over the legal age, the courts have imposed liability for injuries arising out of the service of alcohol to minors. When providing alcohol at company-sponsored events, employers should use common sense and ensure that only employees over age 21 partake in certain festivities.

Best practices
When planning a company-sponsored event, be aware of the following best practice tips to avoid potential headaches down the road:

• Provide transportation, especially for events when alcohol will be served. The cost of buses or cab vouchers is a small investment compared with potential liability issues arising from car accidents or other incidents.
• Consider providing social media guidelines, or implementing a social media policy concerning corporate events. Although employees may be eager to share photos from office holiday parties or other outings, photos taken by employees may not be the best representation of the image your business would like to project, particularly if the photos could potentially be viewed by customers or clients.
• If you intend to use photos from the event for marketing purposes, obtain consent from all subjects of the photos, including employees and non-employees who may also be present at the event. Failure to do so may result in liability for the unauthorized use of the subject’s image.
• For events involving physical activity, such as employer-sponsored field days or road races, obtain liability waivers prior to participation in such activities from employees and invited guests. Such waivers should typically include a certification that the participant is physically capable of participating in the activity, an acknowledgement that there are risks associated with the activity, and an agreement to hold the company harmless for any injury sustained.

Awareness and consideration of these issues in advance may assist employers in ensuring that company-sponsored events run smoothly, and in minimizing potential liability.

What Would Joan Say?

In August, we lost a comedic icon, Joan Rivers.  For several decades, she delighted and shocked audiences with her quick wit and crass humor. On the stage, she had a ‘take-no-prisoners’ stance, while behind the scenes she loved her family and was generous philanthropically.

She once said:

”I succeeded by saying what everyone else is thinking.”

Yes, she certainly did and most of the words she said cannot be published in this article! She made fun of everyday outfits and actions that make you and me inhale a shocked or disgusted breath or mumble words of frustration under our tongues. Alas, Joan Rivers was our spokesperson, our release in a more soft-spoken society.

Well, mostly soft-spoken! Too often corporate events pose a too tempting opportunity to break free from tact and reveal either a private message of a co-worker, or worse, too much skin! So what lessons can we learn from this star of sarcasm?

• Dress to impress; do not undress.
  There are many types of corporate events, luncheons, golf outings, holiday parties, and fundraisers. Each type of event calls for a different style of dress. But ladies, one rule holds firm: revealing too much skin never sends a positive message! Outings are a perfect opportunity to impress your boss and co-workers. Start by dressing appropriate for the event. If you are unsure of the dress code, then ask the organizers. Choose confidence or lose respect!
• Brash, brazen and bombed is so many decades ago!
  If one message rings true in the hit show Mad Men, based on a 1960’s Madison Avenue advertising firm, it’s that alcohol played a huge role in not only making the deal, but also destroying reputations! Fast-forward to today—drinking too much at a function and flirting with your co-worker(s) is never comfortable the next day and may lead your boss to second-guess your judgment and pass you over for that promotion. Put a cap on your cocktails everyone!
• Lose the phone. Need I say more?
  That call can wait! Answer that call or text and you instantly send the message that you are not interested in the person you’re talking to. At the very least, turn the sound off of your phone so you are not distracted.
• Actions speak louder than words!
  You have 7 seconds to make a great first impression; don’t blow it by not making eye contact, giving a colleague a weak handshake or not dressing appropriately. Another point; watch your tone of voice. Be attentive. Ask yourself, when responding to questions, is your voice emanating enthusiasm for the subject or sound disinterested and listless? The other person might interpret your behavior and overall persona as standoffish.
• A wallflower does not get the promotion.
  A corporate function is the perfect opportunity to grab the ear of your boss or get to know a new employee. Standing against the wall too nervous to approach others sends a message of being aloof or lacking in confidence. I recommend you engage in open-ended questions versus a yes or no answer to keep the conversation flowing. Some suggestions:Instead of asking, “Do you like to take vacations?” say, “Tell me about your favorite vacation spot.” Or instead of asking, “Are you from New England?” ask, “Where are you from?”

While we can never emulate the great Joan Rivers, her messages on appearance and proper etiquette are loud and very clear. Remember, you do not have to be in your office to represent your corporate brand. Corporate events are the perfect opportunity to dress for success and build relationships. Don’t be the brunt of the day after’s quips and jokes due to inappropriate behavior.

Rest in peace Joan.

Corporate Planning and Events Planning

With the holiday season approaching many businesses, both large and small, are planning an annual holiday event. To optimize the value of an event, I would encourage each business manager and business owner to first ask who they are having the event for and why they are having the event.

Great reasons for an employee event might include that:

• Employees asked for the event.
• Last year’s event was so successful that employees were talking positively about it for months.
• Managers want employees who do not normally see each other to get to know one another better.
• Business owners want to have an event as a way to reward their employees for their work throughout the year.

Great reasons to have an event for clients or customers might include:

• Management wanting customers to feel like they are “a member of the family.”
• The anticipation that discussions at an event will lead to new business or business improvement.
• Very positive customer feedback throughout the year.

Reasons which are not as beneficial include expressions such as:

• We have always done it.
• Everyone else is doing it.

If those are your best reasons, think a bit more before planning the event.
Once you know the reasons for the event, you can plan effectively. If you want small groups of people to get to know each other, then a formal dinner with eight people seated at each table might be perfect for you. If you want everyone at the event to get to know everyone else a bit better, the best alternative might be to skip the formal dinner and instead have a meal with both light and heavy hors d’oeuvres served at various stations, with few tables and chairs so that people will mingle.

If you are interested in a team building program, there are many organizations that offer programs designed to improve communication, leadership and communication skills among team members. Having a program of this nature or doing a significant community service project before or in lieu of a dinner might be the perfect alternative for you.

Please be sensitive to every employee’s likes and needs as you plan your program, be it a dinner or an activity-based program. There are people who thrive on team building programs. There are people who would enjoy working in a support role (e.g. photographer, scorekeeper, or handing out name tags) or audience member. There are also people who would strongly prefer to have no part in activity-based programs, dinners or whatever. As one who leads TV game show style programs which are applicable, educational, entertaining, useful and a ton of fun for most people, I’m well aware that being an on-stage participant (or even a group activity participant) is not for everyone. If someone does not want to participate, that should be their option. There are few, if any, people who would rather have nothing to do with the program, but if there were any, having an alternative activity, such as “covering the office” should be acceptable. Find out the needs and desires of each employee and find the appropriate role for each one in whatever you do plan. Make the occasion a positive one for all concerned.

As you begin the planning process, you might want to have an employee committee review the business objectives for your program, consider options and make a recommendation to you. Alternatively, you might send out a proposal to your employees and obtain feedback. Either way, include employee (and customer, if applicable) input into your decision making. After all, the event is for them.