This Week's Herman Trend Alert Telecommuting to a Better Bottom Line

The Herman Trend Alert November 21, 2000 Our Pets ARE our Children 40 Days until January 1, 2001 For those of us who are childless or empty nesters, pets often serve as our surrogate children. Some seniors actually refer to their pets as "the kids." Fueled by the remarkable growth in the economy, many of us have extra disposable dollars to spend on our pets. And we're spending like never before. Doggie daycare (off-worksite) is available in major metropolitan and many smaller urban areas, including Greensboro, North Carolina. Pet owners report that they know that their animals are enjoying themselves, because they often do not want to leave. Costing almost as much as childcare, this service is designed to serve affluent Americans. The pig's ears that we used to buy in bulk will no longer do. Now, animal bakeries create pet treats that cost 80¢ to $2 each and pet owners flock to buy the goodies. Some are even reputed to be made with organically grown ingredients. After all, nothing is too good for Fido or Miss Kitty. Expect to see pet and pet owner vacations for those who simply can't part with Rover or Sheba for even a week. The newspaper USA TODAY recently featured a full page of take-your-pet-along vacations. And no contemporary conversation about pets would be complete without mentioning that the expenditures on animal pharmaceuticals are growing faster than those for humans. Just ask any owner whose pet has been seriously ill and you will understand the magnitude of pet healthcare costs. Already a force in pet healthcare, we expect that homeopathy and alternative medicine will become even more important. From pet doorbells to funeral caskets, astute entrepreneurs are cashing in on the pet-love trend, supplying products to fill pet owners' perceived needs... and even some they do not yet know they have. Witness the development of franchises like Petland, catering to more discriminating pet owners, as well as the proliferation of its cut-rate competitors, and you can see why this trend will continue to grow. Not surprisingly, the fastest growing segment of pet owners is affluent Americans who can afford to spoil their pets with the best of everything. © 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." NEED HELP THINKING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE? Our futurists offer thought-provoking and penetrating insights, along with creative ideas to implement right away. Whether you're looking for a speaker or a consultant or a facilitator for your strategic planning retreat, The Herman Group can help you find a person for your needs, no matter what your topic. Call Joyce at 336-210-3548 to discuss your event. REDUCE COSTS BY LOWERING EMPLOYEE TURNOVER If you knew just how much money turnover is costing your company, you would have handled it ages ago! Turnover costs A LOT and it comes right off the bottom line. Let The Herman Group and its team of very experienced consultants help you address your turnover issues right away. We have an impressive track record and stand ready to help you. Call Carol at 800-227-3566; international, call 336-210-3547 for a no-obligation conference call. GOOD SELECTION = BETTER RETENTION If you are not using pre-employment assessments, you are flying without radar---not very smart in today's highly competitive environment. Let us help you better understand your candidates and your employees. In less than 30 minutes, you will know if they can do the job (abilities); their work behaviors, even their personality and attitudes (like integrity & ethics), and those can't be trained. It's very cost effective, too! For more information, contact Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail assessments@hermangroup.com. Validated for many countries and cultures. We offer in-depth help with job descriptions, too! http://www.hermangroup.com/assessments.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. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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