The SIOP Exchange

Are We Ready To Innovate?

By Manisha Bajaj, SIOP Blogger

What’s going on?

What contributes to the success of smartphones such as iPhones and Droid? Is it their product design or is it the applications (Apps) that you can buy on them? Or is it both? Putting this another way…

• Would you still buy an iPhone or Droid if the weight loss or online music Apps were not available on these devices?
• Also, would any of these Apps be available if there were no devices like the iPhone or Droid?

SIOP Annual Conference: Saturday Theme Track

Using Data to Drive Organizational Decisions and Strategy

By Deborah E. Rupp, Incoming Program Chair, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Saturday Theme Track at this year's SIOP conference, focused on using data to drive organizational decisions and strategy, was a remarkable success—our apologies for those who did not have a seat! Sessions explored people analytics, data-based decision making, and the skills required for infusing strategy with I-O data. The program was interactive, including a wide range of formats such as expert panels, research symposia, and a science–practice “lightning round.” 

How to Build a Global PMO

By Bernardo Tirado

A couple of years ago, I was asked to create a Project Management Office (PMO) for the International Operations Division of a large Financial Services Organization*. It was the first time projects were managed at the portfolio level.

To make sure I was being consistent with industry practices, I conducted research to understand how PMOs were designed in other companies. What I’ve found (and is still accurate today) was that there wasn’t an industry-wide standard in designing a PMO.

Eleven Easy Ways to Destroy Your Company

Jay Goltz's list of 11 ways to destroy a company was published October 27 in the New York Times column "You're the Boss." Here are a few items on his list that relate to I-O psychologist:

"3. Interviewing. It is both art and science. Like a bad science experiment, it can cause explosions. Having someone who hasn’t been properly trained interview prospective employees is a recipe for disaster. There are many questions that you cannot ask without risking a nasty lawsuit that will cost plenty of time and money.

10. Bad controls. Many companies have gone broke because of theft or embezzlement. Your accountant should help you set up these systems.

11. Bad company policies. I was just in a spa. There was a sign posted that said that tips must be paid in cash. I asked why. (Apparently, they get asked about this a lot.) The receptionist explained that the employees didn’t necessarily claim all of the tips and the company did, so there could be a discrepancy if either got audited. Not a great story. I am sure that some customers — 5 percent? 20 percent? — will either find it inconvenient to use cash or will resent supporting tax evasion. If I am right and they lose customers, the spa will undoubtedly blame the losses on competition or the economy."

To read more from Jay Goltz, visit the New York Times' Web site.

Submitted by the SIOP electronic Communications Committee.