Three months ago I became manager of a manufacturing plant of about 300 employees. There’s above average turnover and productivity is down. There are tensions between employees and management dating back years. The new owners are very supportive. I can’t get straight answers from employees about what’s wrong. It’s not clear where I should go from here. (more…)

I’ve been working at an IT company of 12 employees for the past 18 months. I’m at the hub of all key projects. My problem is that my two owner-bosses assign projects without talking to each other. In the meantime, I have to support all ongoing work and I’m feeling overworked and underpaid. I generally work 12 hour days and some weekend time. I love the company and the work. But, at this rate I’m going to burn out soon. Any suggestions? (more…)

As the president of a company with 400 employees I feel I should have a sense of the level of their morale. Should I assess that through a survey? (more…)

Each December depresses me when I realize I was not able to accomplish my business and professional goals for the year. Is the answer to not make any resolutions? (more…)

I’m 62 and own a successful business I started thirty years ago. I’m married and have a great wife and successful kids who have careers outside the family business. My problem is I’m not excited about going into work anymore. I’m busy and I’m good at what I do but I don’t have the old fire in the belly I used to have. I have thoughts of selling the business but I don’t know what else I’d do. Any suggestions? (more…)

We are overworked and understaffed. Why do we have to keep having meetings that are a total waste of time? My boss seems to love them. Anything I can do during these meetings besides daydream? (more…)

I am a 46 year old machine tool worker. I go through periodic layoffs but this time my company is closing for good. I have a small side business doing handyman work. Is this the time to try to expand it and become self-employed? (more…)

I’m on the Board of Directors of a private school. There has been a long-standing issue involving the effectiveness of a top school administration official. The board is divided as to how to deal with this. Any suggestions? (more…)

I’m the head of HR at a medium size company of 350 employees. We conduct a great deal of technical training for our employees and I’m convinced that’s valuable and necessary. However, when it comes to "soft" training employees on interpersonal and leadership skills, I have a hard time seeing the value. We’ve tried a couple of lunch presentations but I didn’t see any long term use. How does that stuff add to the bottom line? (more…)

I work for a company that once upon a time had a leader with a vision and with a set of business priorities employees fully supported. The company has changed over the past several years under a new management that has brought in very expensive outsiders who overspend and play while valuable employees leave or are let go and raises for most are kept to a minimum. I think it’s become a mini version of TYCO. The attitude is "if you don’t like it, there’s the door". Employees are paranoid about speaking out and the climate has become dog-eat-dog. I have looked but the only jobs I can find are in other industries and/or for a much lower salary. I love what I do but worry it’s too risky to stay. Should I stay or go? (more…)