IN THIS ISSUE:
P31 ENTERPRISES: A VISION FOR WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND RECOVERY
PERSONALITY TESTS: PROS, CONS, AND HOW TO CHOOSE Psychometric personality tests can be a valuable tool for your business, but not all are created equal. Morrison Principal Shawn Miller breaks down the common concerns and the greatest advantages.
Founded in 2016 in Oroville, California,
included providing clean up and removal
P31
on
services following the 2017 Tubbs Fire—
for
then the most destructive in California
the Bamford family of businesses, which
history—and after the Mendocino Fire
operate in timber and other industries.
Complex, which burned over 450,000 acres
But that was never the end game: from day
in 2018. Sadly, those records are falling as
one, the mostly woman-owned business
this is written.
Enterprises
providing
originally
administrative
focused services
had greater goals, with plans for services to remove trees and brush damaged by western drought conditions and pinebeetle borer infestations. These services are critical to both lessen fire risks and to mitigate the spread of borers to healthy trees.
INTRODUCING MORRISON’S NEW MANAGING PRINCIPAL As of July 1, 2020 Principal Toni Scott is now overseeing daily operations as Morrison’s new Managing Principal, while Brent oversees the Business & Accounting Advisory
service
line
and
strategic
initiatives.
November 8, 2018 Camp Fire, in Paradise, California, which surpassed the Tubbs Fire as the state’s most destructive wildfire. Pacific Gas & Electric also engaged P31 to clear trees and brush from miles of utility lines as part of its “line hardening” program
California timber industry goes back to
to reduce fire risk and improve public safety
the 1960s, and the women of the family
after the Camp Fire. In addition, P31 began
and others now in P31’s ownership have
“foundation work,” helping to clear and
long played active roles. “P31” is short
recover burned properties by the removal
for Proverbs 31, which is dedicated to
of foundations, metal, other fire debris, and
industrious women “of noble character.”
layers of ash and contaminated soil from
It reads in part:
burned areas, preparing the way for the
16
17
18
She considers a field and buys it; out of
eventual recovery and restoration of those properties.
She sets about her work vigorously; her
From humble beginnings in 2016, P31 grew
arms are strong for her tasks.
from administrative work and ambitious
She sees that her trading is profitable,
goals to a peak of 74 crews and over 450
and her lamp does not go out at night.
employees by 2020. Incidentally, it is also
P31 soon added the felling and removal of dead and dying trees along roadsides and
There is always something new going on
utility lines to its services, with a focus
with our clients, and we are delighted to
on safety and fire prevention. In 2017,
share the latest news with you including
the company began cleanup and debris
national recognitions and new leadership
removal services in the wake of California’s
announcements.
devastating wildfires. Among others, this
WWW.MORRISONCO.NET
proved invaluable in the wake of the
The Bamford family’s involvement in the
her earnings she plants a vineyard.
CLIENT CORNER
P31’s tree removal and cleanup services
the youngest company to headline the Morrison newsletter in our eight years of publication. That’s a minor accomplishment in light of all they have achieved but it impressed us!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
NEWSLETTER | FALL 2020
PERSONALITY TESTS:
PROS, CONS, AND HOW TO CHOOSE We all approach work and life with a mix of strengths and weaknesses.
but do they actually measure how we fit in the greater interpersonal
This can come in the form of aptitude and abilities, such as the ability
world? Do they offer adequate feedback that help a person improve
to understand complex financial issues or the ability to persuade.
in their interactions? Do they measure a person’s reputation, or just
Organizations need people of varied talents and abilities, and not
their perception of themselves?
everyone can do everything well. Great sales people often make lousy accountants, and vice versa.
Many of the tests available today actually measure what is referred to as a person’s identity, or our perception of ourselves. For those of
Personality is part of this. We all have personalities that are unique to
us who have taken these tests, this is somewhat obvious, because the
who we are, with strengths and weaknesses in regard to our work life.
tests ask us questions about us. In reality, how we think of ourselves
In fact, a personality strength often has a very direct corresponding
is often very different than the way others perceive us.
weakness. For instance, a manager who is highly detailed and diligent may struggle with micromanagement. Inversely, a manager who is a great delegator may struggle to stay up to date on the progress of their subordinates’ work. The key to success is not in trying to be someone we are not, but in awareness of our strengths and weaknesses and the ability to leverage our strengths and appropriately compensate for our weaknesses. Personality testing has long been used in the business world to help gain personal insight. That insight, when accurate, can be a key in leveraging strengths and mitigating weaknesses. Also known as psychometrics, personality testing first gained popularity in the 1950s
Sigmund Freud once wrote “the you that you know is hardly worth knowing”. This is because what we think or know about ourselves is often a very poor indicator of who we really are. It is a good indicator of our likes, dislikes, and tendencies, but it is influenced by the story that we tell ourselves. Tests that measure our own perceptions offer a poor reflection of how we are seen by others. Personality testing in the workplace has been somewhat controversial for that reason. For every person who sees it as a valuable tool, there is another who views it as hokey or even detrimental. Much of the concern is valid.
and 1960s, primarily with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This kind
Many of the tests summarize the immensely complex world of
of test has gained and lost favor in the business community over time
personality into categories, colors, acronyms, etc., which invariably
as questions arose regarding their overall validly. These questions
fall short of genuine insight into how a person actually interacts in
continue today, as demonstrated by a September 2019 New York Times
the world and the reputation they have created by their behaviors,
article entitled “Personality Tests are the Astrology of the Office”. Not
attitudes, and emotions.
exactly a ringing endorsement. These tests can be interesting to take and can feel very insightful,
WWW.MORRISONCO.NET
The psychological community has recognized the shortcomings of many methods and some tests have addressed them. There have been
significant advances related to correlating an individual’s response
developing them to fit those roles, a deep understanding of one’s
to particular questions and their actual reputation in the workforce.
personality and how they are perceived by others is imperative.
With the more advanced methods, an individual may answer a question
Psychometrics can help in understanding team dynamics and how
regarding how they perceive themselves, but the results of the test
to better function in a team environment. They can also be used
actually measure how they are perceived by others. This has been
to determine the collective culture of a team or an organization,
accomplished through the correlation of hundreds of thousands of data
which can be invaluable in the recruiting process. Understanding
points over many years.
the individual culture of a candidate compared to the culture of the
There has also been progress toward representing the complexity of personality through descriptive ranges rather than a set number of types. For instance, representing someone as an introvert or an extrovert
organization can avoid the inevitable turnover that occurs when an individual’s values, preferences, and tendencies do not match that of the organization.
ignores much of what makes us who we are. In reality, introversion
Psychometric tests are valuable, but they are not all created equal.
and extroversion can only be measured through a scale that measures
When choosing a test, make sure it has been highly scrutinized
the various aspects of introversion and extroversion in a number of
and has very high validity through research by the organization
contexts. Pigeon holing someone into two, four, or six categories of
that created the test and third party evaluations. If they cannot
introversion and extroversion falls short of an accurate description.
demonstrate the evaluation of hundreds of thousands of data points
The best testing methodology goes beyond the compilation of data into a report. The best approach utilizes a trained interpreter to work with the subject being tested, going over the data, and co-creating the actual results as they talk through the data and what the subject learns through it. Relating the information from the test to an individual’s past experiences is a profound method of self-discovery. The information
over several decades, the test may not have a high degree of accuracy. It’s also good to make sure that a test has stood up well in the court system, especially regarding selection and succession planning. Last but not least, avoid tests that simply churn out a report and place people into a set number of categories. Our personalities are far too complex for a simple explanation.
from the test can be further recalled and related to future experiences
Morrison has adopted and is certified to provide the Hogan
as well, causing the learning and benefit of the test to continue, perhaps
Assessment. The Hogan Assessment has been scrutinized and
for a lifetime.
verified by many third party studies over the last 30 years and has
Psychometric testing has many applications in the business world. Personal and leadership development is one the most common, as is succession planning. When evaluating people for future roles and
stood up well in the court system. We believe it is one of a small number of truly valid tests available, and in our opinion, is the best option for use in the business community. Please contact us for more information, and how the Hogan Assessment might work for you.
P31 ENTERPRISES, CONTINUED P31’s work and service offerings are far from done. Along with tree removal and burn area recovery projects, P31 is now moving into the underground concrete segment of heavy civil construction public works projects, such as for roads, bridges, water distribution, and utilities. To accomplish this, P31 has brought in experienced heavy civil construction management and bid estimation teams to help leverage their experience with utilities and public works projects. Currently operating throughout California, P31 plans to expand services into nearby Oregon and Nevada. Morrison is pleased to have assisted P31 Enterprises with the inevitable challenges of its rapid growth, with help ranging from Photo: P31 Enterprises, Inc.
Photo: P31 Enterprises, Inc.
business and accounting advisory services to recruitment services. We look forward to their continued growth and success.
MORRISON AND P31 SUCCESSES CATCHING UP WITH GROWTH, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
PLACING KEY PEOPLE DURING A PANDEMIC
CHALLENGES:
As described in this issue’s cover feature, P31’s rapid growth
As previously mentioned, P31 has experienced tremendous growth since its founding in 2016. In addition, the company has expanded both its service offerings and geographic range, leading to rapidly changing management and accounting needs. Staffing levels rose
CHALLENGES: underscored the need for a full-time accounting professional. The company was uncertain of the roles and experience needed for a full-time position, but needed timely assistance with its accounting. Morrison was engaged to provide interim controller/CFO level support
from just a handful to a peak of over 450 this year.
while assessing the needs for a full-time position.
Controller and CFO level functions were initially performed by
The need for this position came at the peak of the COVID-19 shut down.
an experienced controller who also had responsibility for other Bamford family entities. P31’s growth, and that of its sister companies, eventually made this impracticable. Along with the growth, the company experienced turnover in key accounting functions, complicating the full implementation of new accounting software.
While in an essential industry, many candidates were reluctant to consider a career move due to the overall uncertainty. Social distancing also posed challenges in interviewing and vetting candidates.
SOLUTIONS: During our interim assistance, we were able to help define the needs for the controller position. In addition, it was determined that a
SOLUTIONS:
stronger bookkeeping position was also needed.
Morrison was engaged to address accounting and reporting issues
A recommendation for a controller candidate came from one of
identified by the company, and to ascertain and address other matters to allow for accounting and reporting procedures to match the company’s changing needs and projected growth. Morrison assisted in catching up with accounting backlogs and developing new processes and procedures. We filled most controller and CFO level functions, enabling the current controller to focus on the sister companies and to allow P31 to prepare to onboard a full-time controller dedicated to the needs of the company.
SUCCESSES: With most of the backlogs resolved and improved processes in place, P31 was ready to move to a permanent solution. Morrison
P31’s management members. As this person had strong credentials, Morrison’s efforts shifted to interviewing and vetting this candidate. Morrison also located and placed a solid bookkeeper using our established search resources and interviewing via video conferencing.
SUCCESSES: The controller candidate, who was eventually hired, underwent Morrison’s vetting process, including behavioral interviews and our
proprietary
accounting
skills
assessment.
The
candidate
also participated in a Hogan psychometric assessment (see also “Personality Tests: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose” in this issue) as a final gauge for fit. The new bookkeeper has also settled into the
assisted in vetting a controller candidate identified by the company
position quickly and effectively.
and assisted with his transition. P31 is now better positioned to
Morrison’s unique approach allowed us to pivot our efforts and
leverage its incredible growth into a bright future.
customize them for these roles and circumstances, resulting in the highest value for P31.
NEWSLETTER | FALL 2020
MORRISON’S NEW MANAGING PRINCIPAL
TONI SCOTT Morrison is delighted to announce that Toni Scott
Toni’s leadership, Morrison has expanded the
has assumed the role of Managing Principal,
grants business line significantly and ushered
a transition that became effective July 1, 2020.
in the milestone of Morrison achieving over
This role places Toni at the helm of the company
$50 million in state and federal grant awards
as Brent Morrison – who founded Morrison in
on
2002 – continues to oversee our Business &
governmental clients.
Accounting Advisory services and transitions to lead strategic initiatives within the firm.
behalf
of
for-profit,
non-profit,
and
accomplishments, over the past twelve months
Commerce Board of Directors and is a past chair;
Morrison experienced record-breaking service
is a board member of the Butte Agriculture
levels;
positions;
broadened
service
three
new
Foundation, and; is a member of the Butte
offerings
(for
County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
example, see the story in this newsletter on psychometric assessments); welcomed a number of new clients; and celebrated the launch of a new company website. Toni
is
committed
With this transition—and the collaborative leadership of Morrison’s principals—Morrison is well-poised for the future. We look forward to both continued growth and ongoing innovation
to
continuing
this
in both our services and how we provide them.
momentum. In addition to managing the firm’s firm
leadership
and
fully experiencing the reality of that
leadership, our purpose and vision remains the same: to work with a continual focus on serving the greater good, rather than simply for our own personal achievements and successes. In this next phase of our business we will continue to live out that vision with even more abundance. We have a talented and humble team that we will continue to expand; we have a world-class client base that we will continue to
grants practice, her new responsibilities include providing
and can be. I have had the honor of
Morrison enters this new season of
a past chair; serves on the Chico Chamber of
by
business consulting firm should be
vision for the past nine years. As
a banner year for Morrison. Among other
team
under Brent’s vision of what a great
in the local community. She currently serves on the City of Chico Planning Commission and is
the
Morrison was intentionally built
For many years, Toni has been deeply involved
Toni steps into this position in the midst of
expanded
“
serve well and grow; and we have
governance,
operational oversight, oversight of Morrison’s
an enduring legacy that we are
practice development and client service efforts,
proud to champion and advance.”
and implementation of the company’s overall
– M A N A G I NG P R I N CI P AL ,T O N I S CO T T
strategic vision. Toni joined Morrison in 2011 as a consultant, primarily providing grant writing and grant She joined in ownership of the firm as a principal in 2016, rising to manage the Morrison grants practice at that time. Since then, under
“
From Day One I knew that our
administration services to Morrison’s clients. Toni Scott with Charlie Thieriot of Rancho Llano Seco Photo: Matt Salvo Photography
continued success was reliant on hiring and encouraging people who would continue to grow and build Morrison while holding on to our values. In her tenure here, Toni has demonstrated
her
entrepreneurial
spirit, her understanding of the clients and industries we work in, and an inherent ability to be a strategic and collaborative leader. As I look to shift my day-to-day duties at Morrison, I’m eager to experience what I know Morrison Principals, Brent Morrison, Toni Scott, Toni Scott and Janae Swartz (Middle Left) with Amy &
and Shawn Miller
Derek Sohnrey of Sohnrey Family Foods
Photo: Choose Chico
Toni will bring to the company as Managing Principal. – F OU ND I N G P R I NCI P AL , B R EN T M O R R I S O N
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C L I E N T CORNER The Morrison Client Corner is a regular feature of our newsletter.
If you’re a client of ours, we’d love to stay up to date with what is going
Here, you’ll find updates on what a number of our clients are up to,
on within your organization and invite you to share your highlights
their achievements and milestones, and the generally great things
in this space. Feel free to send any press releases, newsletters, or
happening in their companies or organizations.
happenings to Michelle at mgenova@morrisonco.net.
ENLOE MEDICAL CENTER RECOGNIZED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
Photo: Michael McConnell
PLANT-BASED JERKY!
For the second year in a row, Enloe Medical
Photo: California Olive Ranch
Mooney Farms recently released their
Center has been recognized by the U.S.
newest Bella Sun Luci product: Plant
News and World Report as Best Regional
LEADING THE CHARGE
based tomato jerky! With flavors like
Hospital for the Northern Sierras. The
Jim Lipman of California Olive Ranch
Teriyaki & Cracked Pepper, Hickory
report, released on July 28, reviewed
was
Smoked, and Sriracha, this snack is
4,554 hospitals nationwide placing Enloe
the Board for the American Olive
a welcome addition to the Morrison
as No. 37 of the 409 California hospitals
Oil Producers Association (AOOPA).
breakroom. Try them by ordering online
as well as recognizing Enloe as high-
Morrison has worked with both AOOPA
recently
elected
as
Chair
of
at www.bellasunluci.com; also available
performing in five different categories
and California Olive Ranch for many
at Giant Eagle and Publix, $3.99 –$4.99.
for adult procedures. Congratulations
years, and we are not only thrilled for
Congratulations to Mooney Farms on
to Enloe Medical Center on this well-
Jim but proud to serve such passionate
this deliciously innovative snack!
deserved recognition!
and committed organizations.
WELCOME NEW CLIENTS BAY AREA
RANCHERS COOPERATIVE
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NEWSLETTER | FALL 2020