This Week's Herman Trend Alert Women---Expanding their Sphere of Influence

The Herman Trend Alert December 30, 2009 Looking Backward---Looking Ahead At the suggestion of one of our readers, in this edition, we will review some of our forecasts from 2009, looking at their accuracy and perhaps extending the forecast into 2010. This year has seen some very interesting developments in the human resources area: most of our forecasts were right-on target, including the intensifying competition for certain skill sets, the increased attention to wellness, and amplified focus on succession planning. For the most part, employers missed their opportunities with their older workers, perhaps because they did not feel the sting of being short staffed. We believe that element of the forecast is still coming, but it will take a little longer that we previously thought. See the 2010 Workforce/Workplace Forecast. In January 2009 we wrote, "We expect this reading trend (Reading on the Rise) to continue to increase, in a small way supporting the United States in its drive for competitiveness". When we look at the fact that Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon are all still in business and Kindle (the machine that provides books electronically) sales are thriving, it is easy to confirm this forecast. In May, we covered the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic, forecasting that the growing threat would have an impact on businesses, even affecting air travel. We were right about the impact on businesses, but wrong about the travel component. The reason was that the most affected populations were children and young adults. This flu had a very disruptive effect on US schools (including colleges and universities), and therefore affected worker productivity, when parents had to miss work to take care of their children. We expect other strains of influenza and other food-bourn bacteria to continue to be a problem for many years to come. Even the US store chain Best Buy is using the WePower's vertical axis wind turbine to provide power to its store in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, so we were correct in saying "WePower has made wind turbines . . . more accessible . . . businesses." In the next five years, we expect the acceptance of green technologies to grow exponentially and the green jobs to support that growth will help the economies of the world to recover---especially in the US Brazil, China, Japan, and Korea. Next year promises to be a most interesting year---and better for many us that 2009. © 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." EMPLOYERS AND JOBSEEKERS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS Advertise at or attend VetJobs Virtual Career Fairs. VetJobs, the top veterans' job board, and PSI, the premier diversity job fair producer, are teaming up to launch these VeteransCONNECT events. Employer registration is now open with loading by February 15th. Candidate loading begins March 1st. Expect 25-30 employers and an attendee goal of 2,000 skilled jobseekers. Promoted extensively, early registration begins NOW. To register or request additional information, contact VetJobs at 877-838-5627 or email info@vetjobs.com; Employers: Mention the Herman Trend Alert to receive a Bonus. LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE VALENTINE’S GIFT? Give the gift of leadership advice in our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help your supervisors and managers remind your leaders about what’s really important The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Joyce at joyce@hermangroup.com. http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3 Order today! PREVENT EMPLOYEE TURNOVER IN 2012 Yes, you can prevent costly employee turnover, when you train your supervisors, managers, and executives. They will learn dozens of low and no-cost strategies and tactics that they can implement right away. We have an impressive track record and stand ready to help you. Call Carl at 336-210-3547 for a no-obligation conference call. 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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