Creating value for ourselves and others is a fundamental issue for oneself and for organizations. It is the Why of ABS’s mission statement. Without creating value, a life is empty and organizations that fail to do so are hollow and eventually cease to exist.
All of us want to be able to count on the reliability of our own data and that of others. There is a plague of non-reproducible studies in the scientific literature. Regular complaints are heard from journal editors and reviewers. Lack of reliability varies from minor experimental inaccuracies to a complete lack of reproducibility. The major cause of this problem is inattention to factors that can be addressed by more rigorous control of processes. Unreliable data costs time, money, and sometimes careers. For a detailed discussion of this problem, see: Rigor Mortis: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hope, and Wastes Billions by Richard Harris.
ABS’ mission is to make your research faster, easier, and more reliable. In a previous blog, I described how we work with you to speed your research. This blog discusses what easier means to us and how working with ABS does make your research easier. At first glance easier may seem to be a rather vague advertising catch all, easier than what? For us, it is much more specific. Working with ABS should be easier than doing it yourself or working with any other organization. Two examples illustrate how this works.
All of us at ABS are thankful for working with you, and we wish a very Happy Thanksgiving! Please enjoy and appreciate this time with family and friends. After a December break, our blog will return at the beginning of 2020.
Interpersonal issues at work can be a major cause of stress. We don’t get to choose necessarily who we work with, but we are obligated to treat others at least cordially. All of us have good and bad days and a multitude of factors affect our behaviors in ways that can have a positive or negative effect on others. These interactions affect the overall ethos of an organization.
Lack of time, knowledge, personnel, materials, or money are common stressors at work, and in life. Too few resources can be frustrating and limiting. Lack of them can impair performance and general satisfaction. This is especially true when a lack of resources is perceived as outside of one’s control.
Run and hide until the problem passes is one option, but not a good one. Let’s face it, despite our best efforts, problems do occur. The problems that occur at work fall into several business-related categories, such as too much work, too few resources, mistakes, and unanticipated events. In addition, and often more significantly for employees, interpersonal issues can cause significant stress. This blog will deal with the first category. Subsequent postings will consider the remaining categories.
The last few postings from some of our staff give you some idea of what ABS is like. Frankly, I hope their comments may inspire you to apply at ABS. We are always looking for people who want to be effective and grow with us.
The topic of this blog is less pleasant. However, it bears thinking about sooner rather than later. Let me start by saying that I not a financial advisor, nor do I claim expertise in economics; but my expectation is that winter is coming. You don’t have to take my word for it. I highly recommend that you read or view the insights of Ray Dalio, the billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates.
Most of these blogs have about the processes and systems at ABS that ensure fast and reliable service. All of this is important, but none of this happens without the people who are dedicated to making it happen. The next several posts will be written by our team members who work in all aspects of ABS.
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