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The Herman Trend Alert April 4, 2007 Robots Teach Kids Gracious Professionalism The most successful entrepreneurs are driven to leave a lasting legacy and Dean Kamen is no exception. He invented the portable dialysis machine and the Segway ®, an urban transportation machine. In 1989, Kamen decided to focus on igniting young people's interest and participation in science and technology. His vision is “to create a world . . . where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes", so he founded an organization called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The FIRST organization engages young people (ages six through 18) and their mentors and volunteers in solving a common problem in a six-week timeframe. The teams of youngsters build robots using a standard “kit of parts" and a common set of rules, then vie in regional and international competition. In one division, the FIRST LEGO League Nano Quest Challenge this year, teams of nine- to 14 year-olds are using LEGO to explore technologies that start in the nano world and lead to valuable practical applications for everyday life. FIRST celebrates the concept of “Gracious Professionalism.” Coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “Gracious Professionalism” encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Participants compete aggressively while treating each other with mutual respect and kindness. Competing teams take pride in supporting each other with spare parts and/or counsel even to their own disadvantage. FIRST redefines winning by rewarding teams for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building lasting partnerships. This year the full range of FIRST programs will touch 90,000 young people and 40,000 mentors and volunteers. They will build 10,652 robots. On April 12 to 14, 2007, teams from 22 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Australia will participate in the FIRST Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. As enlightened technology companies look for ways to address the skilled labor shortage and predispose young scientists and engineers to choosing employment with them, we expect support for FIRST to increase substantially. http://www.usfirst.org © 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. 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