This Week's Herman Trend Alert Demand-Driven Workforce Development

The Herman Trend Alert July 11, 2007 Aerotropolis Developed by Professor John D. Kasarda, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the concept “aerotropolis” defines the roles of airports and aviation-driven economic development in shaping 21st century urban growth and form. Recently Kasarda addressed the annual meeting of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, an economic development entity located in the Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem region of the State of North Carolina. Federal Express, the overnight and ground delivery service, is building a hub distribution center next to the Piedmont Triad Airport and Kasarda has worked as a consultant on the project for years. The city of Greensboro, where this development is taking place, is located in a prime area for logistics and intermodal transportation. (Intermodal transportation involves the use of containers that may be carried by rail, truck, or airplane and easily moved from one type of transport to another.) Kasarda said, “Fast cycle logistics should become the Region’s new competitive advantage”, rather than tax-breaks and more traditional incentives. This development should prompt “the Region” (and he urged a regional focus, as opposed to local) to concentrate on improving its infrastructure. The aerotropolis logistics hub will “attract investment, generate tens of thousands of new jobs, and raise the image and awareness of the Piedmont Triad. Build and brand around these assets,” he continued. He also strongly suggested prioritizing “aesthetics and environmental sustainability”. Kasarda was clear that incorporating these two elements is no longer optional. It is expected. The most important aspect of the aerotropolis concept was his recommendation that the Region develop a state-of-the-art education and training center at or near the airport. Local community colleges and universities need to expand and improve their logistics curricula concentrations so that their graduates will be qualified to take the numerous positions created when a myriad of new businesses locate distribution facilities in the area. Now and in the future workforce development will be the most important investment that a community can make in its economic future. Without qualified people to take the jobs, companies will not choose to locate in an area. © Copyright 1998-2008 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." DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! If you've been thinking about attending our valuable Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program, don't delay--only three spaces remain. With the employment market heating up, many positions are literally impossible to fill. Attend this course and you will learn dozens of low-/no-cost valuable strategies to attract and retain the talent you need. Recertification credit from HRCI. Next program: May 22-23, Charleston, SC. Call Carol at 336-282-9370 or visit http://www.employeeretentionspecialist.com. GET INSIDE THE MINDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES Find out what's really going on inside 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 937-648-1918 or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. NEW BABY BONUS Book Joyce to speak on the West Coast in 2008 and receive 100 of her books of your choosing. There is a new baby in the family, Spencer Jay, and Joyce would appreciate more opportunities to watch him grow. For more about Joyce, visit http://www.hermangroup.com/joyce.html or call Joyce at 336-210-3548. 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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