Comments | lunannette: People

lunannette

People

Sep 17, 2007 16:46

How do you get a person to commit to something? With the current job I have there seems to be periods where people just don't show up for testing - whereas other times where people follow through. I think my approach stays relatively the same. So, am I just encountering streaks of irresponsible inconsiderate idiots ( Read more... )

Comments 4

northernclimber September 18 2007, 02:18:18 UTC

I dunno what your job is (something psychology-related I'm assuming). But... you should act like you're doing THEM the favor, not that they're doing you the favor. If you put on the air that tons of people are just jumping for the chance to be tested. Maybe then they'll show up, if it's a valued appointment. goodluck.

lunannette September 18 2007, 17:43:34 UTC

I'm a field researcher for an organization and this is how I am currently making my living. I get paid for testing people and coordinating said time. However, if someone doesn't show, I only make a small fraction of that amount and it really doesn't look good to my employer.

I think your approach is a good one, but my incentive is less now. Previously the instrument we were testing was about 2 hours of testing for $20. Now, the test is a bit shorter so it's $15 for 1.5 hours....If people have to meet me somewhere they are already put in a lot of their time for less compensation... Hence, fewer people have indicated interest and I've been using Craigslist.

Just to give you an idea: when it was the $20 compensation I get around 50 emails. For $15 I only got 25...

davy8 September 19 2007, 06:31:06 UTC

yeah, if it's a situation like that it's gonna be hard and as far as I can see mostly comes down to luck. I'm sure your employer would understand though. Maybe could try getting more of a commitment out of them but there's never any guarantees. The above is good advice, and even if you don't feel like you're the one doing them a favor, still act like you are (of course don't directly tell them that :-p)

davy8 September 18 2007, 04:44:14 UTC

really, there isn't much you can do about it, things come up, people forget, people decide at the last moment they don't feel like it etc. Unless there's some semi-harsh penalty for not showing up you're always gonna get people who don't show up to stuff. Best you can really do is not let it bother you.