This Week's Herman Trend Alert Demand-Driven Workforce Development

The Herman Trend Alert October 24, 2007 Workspace of the Future BlueSpace is the name that IBM has given to its next-generation workspace project. This solution encompasses multiple software and hardware components that integrate sensors, actuators, displays, and wireless networks into architectural elements. The goal is to increase knowledge workers' productivity by eliminating unwanted interruptions, improving awareness, and facilitating communication among team members. These enhancements are designed to provide greater comfort through personalized environmental settings. This project also seeks to create modular workplace solutions that can be combined in different ways to optimize workspace utilization and worker efficiency. The office furniture manufacturer Steelcase has collaborated with IBM to create a prototype at the IBM Industry Solutions Lab in Hawthorne, New York. Demonstrations of some of the devices may be viewed at Steelcase's headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Some of the features of BlueSpace designed to help increase the employee's concentration are a Status Light above the cubicle that, when red, means "do not disturb", an Urgent Messages Screen that alerts sequestered workers to time-sensitive information, and an Office Front Display that shares information about the occupant, such as interests, availability, and current projects. Two new technologies facilitate people working in collaboration: "MyTeam" uses sensor data to connect team members and to broadcast availability awareness. One touch opens the preferred communication channel, whether it is e-mail, phone, or instant message. Their Everywhere Displays projector transforms any surface into a touch-screen. Rather than gathering around a monitor, participants working together may project their work onto tables or walls. Users may interact with the system through simple gestures, detected through vision technology. In particular, the Millennials will not only enjoy the technology, but also will appreciate the opportunity to collaborate remotely. Further adding to the experience, the BlueSpace occupant will have unprecedented control over his/her physical environment. The BlueScreen information panel provides touch-screen control of the lighting and temperature in the workspace. In addition, the space can sense and automatically adjust the environment to meet the physical preferences linked to identification badge. IBM demonstrates that the workspace of the future will be more user-supportive and personalized. Read more about IBM's ground-breaking BlueSpace at http://www.research.ibm.com/bluespace/index.html. © Copyright 1998-2008 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." DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! If you've been thinking about attending our valuable Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program, don't delay--only three spaces remain. With the employment market heating up, many positions are literally impossible to fill. Attend this course and you will learn dozens of low-/no-cost valuable strategies to attract and retain the talent you need. Recertification credit from HRCI. Next program: May 22-23, Charleston, SC. Call Carol at 336-282-9370 or visit http://www.employeeretentionspecialist.com. GET INSIDE THE MINDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES Find out what's really going on inside 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 937-648-1918 or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. NEW BABY BONUS Book Joyce to speak on the West Coast in 2008 and receive 100 of her books of your choosing. There is a new baby in the family, Spencer Jay, and Joyce would appreciate more opportunities to watch him grow. For more about Joyce, visit http://www.hermangroup.com/joyce.html or call Joyce at 336-210-3548. 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. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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