This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert December 16, 1998 I don't have time for holiday shopping! Have you found yourself time-challenged in the midst of this frenzied season of the year? You're certainly not alone! The level of activity at work has been increasing for most employees; there just isn't enough time to get it all done anymore. And with the labor market being so tight, hiring extra help seems next to impossible. It's hard enough to get work done, spend time with the family, shop for essentials like food, and steal few minutes for some personal quiet time. And now the big shopping season is here! What's the solution? Shopping on-line is increasing in popularity. We predict this trend will continue, with the pace accelerating as we become even more time-challenged. Recently-released research reveals some interesting information. Everyone seems to agree that holiday shopping on-line was strong and would intensify during this year's season. Volume estimates vary. Jupiter's forecast predicted sales of US$2.3 billion, while eMarketer put their figure at $1.1 billion. Other surveys showed more agreement. Visa International found 46% of those with Internet access would shop on-line this holiday season. Dell's survey came up with almost the same numberù43 percent. E-commerce consultant Wally Bock anticipates that 1998 holiday shopping will be 3-4 times the 1997 figure. Why? The two biggest reasons are 1) convenience and 2) avoiding unpleasant shopping experiences. All the surveys of on-line shoppers put those two at the top of the listùfar above "great price." If you're selling on-line this holiday season, promote the convenience and ease factors. Stress shopping at any time of the day or night, in your pajamas, or whatever. And don't forget the "away-from" motivators. Tell folks about avoiding shopping mall congestion, parking and traffic hassles, dumb and dumber retail salespeople. If you haven't shopped online before, this might be a good time to try it. Start with a small purchase of a product that would be hard to find in your neighborhood. A special hot sauce from Hot! Hot! Hot! If you like hot sauce. A hard-to-find book from Amazon.com for book lovers. Is your shopping life changing? Imagine what next year will bring! Our thanks to Wally Bock, http://www.bockinfo.com © 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." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. 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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