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“Why do you go to work?” My five year old asks on occasion.  Most of us consider this question at some point and the answer may be fluid depending on the wide variety of circumstances and factors that make up what we call work. I recall being totally baffled about what my dad did at work for most of my childhood “he’s a doctor of numbers” I would tell my friends  describing my Dad’s PhD in applied Math while envisioning my dad placing a stethoscope on the number 7 (my dad actually headed up the MIS function at semi-conductor manufacturer).  I never thought to ask my father why he went to work as it just seemed like something Dad’s did. 

These days there is a lot more discussion about the “Why” of work due in part to the inspiring book by Simon Sinek about how great leaders and companies Start with Why.  More than 12 months ago, PHT embarked on a brand refresh project which includes but does not end with the launch of the new website. The first question we started with at the project kickoff meeting was what is the “why of PHT”.

After 12+ years working at PHT, I was comfortable with the answer to the “Why” as our mission has not fundamentally changed since I interviewed with Steve Raymond our founder in the Winter of 2000. I liked Steve and the company immediately when I interviewed because of his passion for changing clinical research for the better by creating high quality data streams from patients to researchers and using that information to do better science.  Boiled down for my five year old, the “Why of PHT” is “to help people feel better”.

Over the past year,  PHT has rolled out different aspects of the refreshed brand including the “Why PHT?” video as well as the updated logo, tagline and most recently, the new phtcorp.com. Throughout the process it’s been very helpful to come back to the “why” because it fundamentally drives the activities of each PHT employee every day.  For me personally, the Why of PHT is what has motivated me to stay at the company for almost 13 years.

A few months ago I was at the pediatrician getting routine vaccinations for my one year old and the doctor told me she would administer a new vaccine with fewer possible adverse events than the one my older children had received.  I was delighted to recognize the product as one PHT had the opportunity to work on some years ago.  The PHT System was used to gather data from parents like me and the ultimate result is a new product that is helping babies lead healthier lives. So my answer to my five year old is easy.  I go to work to help people and I am grateful to be part of an industry that makes a positive difference in the lives of millions around the world.

Welcome to the new phtcorp.com which has more information about the Why of everything related to PHT and our goal of helping researchers do better science to help treat disease and improve  quality of life -  for all of us.