November 2009 Contents

Movin' Up - How Stategic Planning Can Take Your Career To The Next Level

Successfully taking your career to the next level is like using a road map. You have to know where you're going in order to plan a route to get there. The first step is to assess your skills and determine how best to capitalize on them.

John K. Borchardt

Perspective On: A Contract Lab

Contract labs perform scientific research and testing on one or more components of projects for external clients. Contracts can last anywhere from only a few weeks for a single, specific task to many years for extended projects. Taylor Technology Inc., a subsidiary of PharmaNet Development Group Inc., is a drug development contract research organization focused on bioanalysis, the measurement of potentially new chemicals or molecular entities (new treatments) in biological samples.

Sara Goudarzi

Creative Techniques for Motivating Your Staff

One of the core accountabilities of a manager is to motivate his or her staff. If the level of enthusiasm is low, the manager must bear the major responsibility. Managing motivation can best be understood by looking at three areas: the climate or environment in the work group; the policies and practices in the organization; and the characteristics and interests of individual employees.

Ronald B. Pickett

Scientists Are from Mars, Designers Are from Venus

With a wink and a nod to John Gray's 1992 book, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, it can be argued that differences in communication styles and project perspectives between scientists (laboratory users) and designers (architects and laboratory planners) can be the cause of challenging, frustrating and often failed experiences in the laboratory design and construction process. The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way.

H. Michael Smith, AIA, and David I. Meyer, Ph.D.

Supplying High-Purity Gases

Selecting the most effective source for high-purity gases is a critical issue for laboratory managers. In-house generation of gases offers the following advantages: gases are continually provided; it is not necessary to replace tanks on a periodic basis; less energy is required to supply gas, since tank gas or liquid nitrogen requires distillation of air and transportation of tanks to the final point of use.

Kim Myers and Peter Froehlich

Constructive Feedback

In the vendor-customer relationship, feedback is important. Positive and negative feedback helps companies develop core strengths and identify areas of improvement in manufacturing, delivery, pre- and post-sale support, and product development. A good company will proactively seek feedback by contacting customers and listening and responding to their comments; by analyzing feedback for product/service improvements, market trends and opportunities; and by creating a plan of action.

Deborah Farnham

The Third Annual Salary and Employee Satisfaction Survey

Thanks to the more than 1,200 lab professionals who participated in this year's annual survey, we highlight some interesting new data regarding base salaries, salary incentives, total cash compensation, equity-based compensation, benefits practices and overall job satisfaction. The survey also delves more deeply into questions concerning life/work balance, job security and professional development opportunities.

Salary and Job Satisfaction By Region

According to salary survey respondents from four different regions around the country, it seems that a majority of science professionals are very satisfied with their current positions. A majority of the respondents are pleased with their day-to-day positions and seem excited about their futures.

Rich Pennock

Science Matters

Employees Are Satisfied, but Organizations Still Look to improve

Rich Pennock

Technology News

The latest equipment, instrument and system introductions to the laboratory market.

Lab Safety - Keeping Safety In Sight

Vision is one of our most precious senses. Injuries can lead to long-term problems or permanent disability. With the cost and performance of today’s safety eyewear, the risk for potential injury is a price not worth paying.

Vince McLeod

How It Works

Alleviating Acetonitrile Supply Issues

Accelerated, Prep-Free Mercury Analysis