By far, as a young OBM practitioner, the most frequently asked question I’m asked is “How do I get started in OBM?” So often, in fact, that when I was given the opportunity to hold a webinar for the Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Network, I couldn’t think of a better topic to focus on for the benefit of the field. I called this presentation A Brief Guide to Getting Started in OBM, and while only 20 or so people were in attendance for the live presentation, I refer people to the recording often to help them gain a grasp on the field from a beginner’s perspective.

To start the presentation, I defined OBM, and compared the scientists in this area to other behavior-focused practitioners in business, including industrial/organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and organizational development. I then summarized and presented data associated with a study comparing I/O and OBM specifically, from Bucklin et al. (2000), as well as OBM to clinical ABA by DiGennaro Reed et al (2016). I proceed to discuss the applications and industries in which OBM is currently being used, and then move on to the concrete action steps upcoming OBMers can take to increase their likelihood of successfully beginning a career in OBM. This includes references to trainings in OBM, a bunch of great readings, advice on finding mentors, and more.

If you’re interested in beginning a career in OBM, this presentation is a good place to start. Additionally, if you fill out the form below, you will be emailed the Powerpoint from the presentation, as well as my first eBook, The Chief Motivating Officer’s Guide to Getting Started in OBM, which elaborates on these steps even further.