This Week's Herman Trend Alert Talent Production and Attraction in 2015

The Herman Trend Alert April 11, 2000 Officescape 264 days until January 1, 2001 Office appearances are changing. The old traditions of bosses in corner offices, junior bosses in offices with windows, and everybody else in the bull pen are disappearing. More changes are coming. We're hearing about companies that put their boss' offices in the middle of the floor and give the space along the windows to the non-management employees. With single story buildings, skylights are installed to give natural light to everyone. While many companies still have cubicle forests, an increasing number of workers are complaining about the segregation and structured environment. People don't like the hierarchical design, where the height of your cubicle wall acknowledges your rank in the organization. And the prairie-dog image of people popping their heads up to see what's happening takes the Dilbert cartoon environment to another level. Cubicle walls are being replaced by picket fences, plantings, and furniture such as bookcases and couches. More and more companies are building conversation areas into office design, bringing in sofas, easy chairs, and floor cushions. Meeting rooms are now constructed with windows-to provide light, openness, and less secretiveness. Some are designed without chairs; stand-up meetings seem to be shorter and more productive for some reason. Color is used more-to distinguish one area from another or to set moods . . . or just to brighten the environment. Art is more prevalent, sometimes from permanent corporate collections and sometimes on loan (even display for sale) from local artists or schools. Office environmentalists are listening to noise... er, sound. Music or white noise helps reduce distractions and create a more comfortable atmosphere. Carpet helps deaden sound-on the floor and on walls, as well. In high-ceilinged rooms in refurbished older buildings, carpet can create a decorative effect while reducing echoes and too great a sense of expansiveness. Plants are more prevalent in working areas, and we see this trend continuing. They are symbiotic to humans, in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and offer a pleasant, almost peaceful environmental appeal. Interior horticulture companies service these plants to help make the workplace practically a living organism. © 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." 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. Email info@EmployerOfChoice.com for more information. 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. 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. Early employer registration is now open with employer loading by February 15th. Candidate loading begins March 1st. They anticipate 25-30 employers and have an attendee goal of 2,000 skilled jobseekers. Promoted extensively, early registration for this event begins is open NOW. To register or request additional information, please contact VetJobs at 877-838-5627 or e-mail info@vetjobs.com; they will forward an electronic flyer right away. Employers: Mention the Herman Trend Alert to receive a Bonus. CALCULATE THE HIGH COST OF YOUR EMPLOYEE TURNOVER With our Bliss-Gately tool, you can calculate the many hard and soft costs, down to the last penny. Great for justifying your investments in retention! At only $249/computer or $999 for a 6-site license, it is a real bargain! Visit http://www.hermangroup.com/store/software.html to order yours today! 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. 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