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

The Herman Trend Alert December 5, 2007 Computer Gaming Costs Employers Have you dreamed of receiving genetic testing, but somehow the $3,000 to 5,000 was more than a little steep? Thanks to 23andMe, a Google-funded company, the cost of genetic testing is now much lower. Especially, with the decline of the dollar against international currencies, this company will enjoy high sales from folks outside of the US as well. 23andMe, named for the 23 pairs of chromosomes that compose the human genome, provides genetic profiles now available for a mere USD$999. Linda Avey, co-founder of 23andMe said, "The mission of 23andMe is to take the genetic revolution to a new level". We believe it does. A recent publication likened the new service to a "kind of genetics-based MySpace or Facebook". However the more important purpose for this leading-edge personal assessment is its use to help biotechnology inform medicine and help society achieve a more personalized approach to treatment. We know that certain pharmaceuticals work for some people and not for others. Up to now we have not been able to segment the population by the genetic factors. In the future, we will be able to do just that. When customers sign up for the DNA test online, they receive and return, by mail, a vial into which they place their saliva. Four to six weeks later, customers may access the company's findings online. The findings tell a fascinating story about inherited traits and ancestry. Most critically, there is a section on personal disease risks. 23andMe suggests that the individual seek the support of a healthcare professional to help interpret the information---a good idea since the report displays more than a half-million data points in the client's genome. Though the site does not make interpretations about the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, or Alzheimer's, it does offer an opportunity to compare your genetic blueprint to those of your friends and family. Of course, security is an issue; the company has protected personal data with more than a dozen levels of authentication and encryption between the lab and the individual. This company's new service is just the beginning of a genetics revolution. © 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. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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