This Week's Herman Trend Alert The Consequences of Virtual Meetings

The Herman Trend Alert October 1, 2008 The Leader Stumbles For years, the United States held the position as "the leader of the free world". Now, when we look at various current statistics, it is difficult to make that case. The US has fallen behind in some key areas that are critical to its competitiveness on the world stage. For years now, we have reported about the deficits in the US system of education, especially compared to those in other countries. According to the most recent assessment of students by OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), the US ranks 25th in math and 21st in science among students from 30 member countries. Reflecting this situation, China has more honor students than the US has students. Over half of the graduate students in science and math fields are from abroad. Foreign students used to stay in the US post-graduation to take jobs offered to them by US firms. Restrictive immigration policies now prevent most from staying. The solution begins with early childhood education. According to the Partnership for America's Economic Success, no other investment in society comes close to the 16 percent return realized when these investments are made. Our schools need to emphasize the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), similar to what the FIRST initiative supports. (See our Herman Trend Alert from April 4, 2007, "Robots Teach Kids Gracious Professionalism") The performance of the US in the area of healthcare is even more dismal. In spite of having the highest percentage of GDP spent on healthcare in the world (16.0 percent), the US has the second highest rate infant mortality, 6.30 per 1,000 births, behind China at 21.16. The country is seventh in life expectancy at 78.14 years, behind France (80.87), Sweden (80.74), Israel (80.61), Norway (79.81), Germany (19.10), and the United Kingdom (78.85). Singapore even beats France at 81.8 years. Moreover, when it comes to digital infrastructure, Internet access, and cell phone coverage, the US does not rank well there either. All of these shortfalls reflect serious vulnerability. At some point in the future, US government leaders will realize the seriousness of this situation and take decisive action. What is needed is much more than a Band-Aid™. The situation demands systemic change. Unfortunately, the current economic situation may well postpone that response. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: RETENTION SPECIALIST PROGRAM A growing number of people have expressed an interest in attending our Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program. We'd like to schedule on that's convenient for those who want to attend, but need your feedback to do so. Please place RETENTION SPECIALIST in the subject line and Joyce will personally call you back to schedule the workshop. Or you can call Joyce directly at 336-210-3548 (PDT this and next week). BUSINESS IS PICKING UP Most employers are unprepared. The recovery will bring a new set of challenges for employers that have been in prolonged contracted mode. They will need more skilled workers or will need now to begin to upskill their current staffs. But organizations can not engage in Strategic Workforce Planning, when they don't know how. That's where The Herman Group can help. We can help you with your "People Review"----large or small---so that you will know who you will need and when you will need them. . . and we can also guide you to the best sources for the people you will need. For more information, call Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail joyce@hermangroup.com. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK AND FEEL Discover what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. 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