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

The Herman Trend Alert February 7, 2007 Dog Nannies and Other Evidence Beginning in 2000 we have written about the increasing humanization of pets. (http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/archive_11-21-2000.html, http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/archive_4-2-2003.html) Now, we have even more evidence. As futurists, we "connect the dots." It usually starts with anecdotes and eventually moves to proven fact, usually when some other entity conducts the research. Lately, we have seen an increase in this pet trend. Literally billions of dollars in the United States is spent every year on the care, feeding, and pampering of pets. In fact, according to a report issued by Packaged Facts, by 2008, the market is expected to top USD$16 billion. From doggie daycare facilities that are multiplying like rabbits in metropolitan areas large and small to the advent of mobile pet groomers, there are few markets growing as fast as pet care. However, surely the most phenomenal new development to support this growing pet trend is the coming of "dog nannies." Like their human counterparts, dog nannies are responsible for the well-being of their charges. They take care of the pets both physically and psychologically. One dog owner put it this way, "The dog psychologists say that dogs need three things: proper nutrition, discipline, and exercise. When dogs are left alone all day, they do not get the exercise they need to stay healthy." This healthcare professional wants her pets to be as healthy as her patients. They are important members of the family. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Paris Hilton and have long engaged dog nannies, but now ordinary people are hiring them as well. What a great occupation for animal lovers! Further evidence of this trend comes from the dog nutrition producer Nutro. The company has a line of "healthy pet desserts". From their "Apple Torte" to their "Berry Cobbler" and "Carrot Cake", Nutro includes "no added sugars", real fruit or carrots and oatmeal, and of course, natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals. Nutro, we think you have a real winner there. As the Baby Boomers age and younger people put off child-bearing, expect to see even more expenditures on these four-legged family members. The pet care market will continue its steady growth. © 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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