How to Get What You Want as an Employee

I got my first job at 14.  I’ve had about 50 jobs since.  I got fired a few times.  Each experience taught me valuable lessons and skills.  At heart, I am still that trouble-making, fence-testing employee.  Much of my business advice comes from that perspective.  Most of the time I give advice to [...]

How to Get What You Want as an Employee2017-04-28T16:24:22+00:00

Has Drinking Become a Problem?

Craig was a rising star in the company.  He had so much energy.  He always had a big smile on his face, and loved to laugh.  And, he was skilled.  He had only been in the field a few months but he was showing great potential with his technical and sales skills. Then, one [...]

Has Drinking Become a Problem?2017-04-12T13:16:43+00:00

Compensation…UN-Complicated

Are you struggling with your compensation program? I worked with a client who had a "circus train" approach to how they were paying office personnel.  Every person had a different deal...salary, hourly and no justification for why one person made more than another.  It took some planning and clear communication, but we fixed it.  We made [...]

Compensation…UN-Complicated2016-12-01T14:55:06+00:00
  • Ellen and Howard Better Way to Pay

A Better Way to Pay

Egads!  How can we be halfway into October already?  The holidays will be here in about 15 minutes. And, gulp, you are looking down the barrel of the dreaded Holiday Bonus. Have you struggled with what to do to celebrate your team at year end? Well, you may muddle through it this year. [...]

A Better Way to Pay2016-12-01T14:55:06+00:00
  • work and good workplace relationship.

Do You Love Your Employees?

I love sharing the best of what I have learned in my long life and career.  Mostly, I speak about simple financial systems and UN-complicated business planning. However, in most of my presentations, the conversation settles on employees.  You need some help if you are going to clean up your financials, set up great scorekeeping [...]

Do You Love Your Employees?2016-12-01T14:55:07+00:00
  • Ellen Rohr about Men and Women Pay

Why Women Make Less Money Than Men

The oft reported statistic is that women, on average, make about 79% of what men make for doing equivalent work.  (For more details, AAUW is a great resource.) Is that fair? Nope. We can improve this situation, if we are willing to do what we can do. Once upon a time, I left my [...]

Why Women Make Less Money Than Men2016-12-01T14:55:07+00:00

Should You Fire Yourself?

Oh, I loved the movie, The Intern.  Predictable, yes.  Still...funny and heartwarming.  Best of all, Anne Hathaway's character discovers... Wait!  I don't want to spoil it for you.  However, the story did inspire me to ask you this question: "Should you fire yourself?" In his iconic book, Good to Great, Jim Collins asserts that the [...]

Should You Fire Yourself?2016-12-01T14:55:08+00:00

Time To Hire Your First Employee?

Ready to go...UN-solo?  Perhaps you've been thinking about adding a new team member.  Maybe your first?  It can be a bit UN-nerving! Once upon a time, I hired phenomenal Shauna, and committed to TWO hours...a month! If you want to grow your company, or buy a bit of time off, bringing on a team member can [...]

Time To Hire Your First Employee?2016-12-01T14:55:08+00:00
  • Hiring Tips Video Thumb

Lost a Great Employee to the Competition?

Oh, it breaks my heart when this happens:  A good team member...leaves.  A client of mine called and told me that one of his key team members resigned.  Let's call the employee Dan. (Know that that's not his real name, and this story is a mashup.)  Dan is a great guy and had been with [...]

Lost a Great Employee to the Competition?2016-12-01T14:55:09+00:00