This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert July 6, 2011 Telecommuting Growth Slows---what does it mean? Though many well-respected futurists and organizations, including Forrester Research (and us), had forecast that by now, we would see high percentages of people telecommuting. The numbers were clearly trending upward. All of us were wrong. According the latest research from the Telework Research Network, telework (sometimes called ″workshifting″) trends over the past five years reflect some unexpected developments. Telework is growing. In actuality, despite the recession, based on United States Census data, 61 percent more employees considered home their primary place of work in 2009 than in 2005. Census data also show that only 2.9 million employees work from home more than half the time (not including the self-employed). Surprisingly, that number only represents 2.3 percent of the workforce. For most organizations, the ability to work from home, sometimes called flex-place is still considered a perk rather than accepted business practice. A few enlightened employers, both private and public sector have built flex-space and flex-place into their culture with very positive consequences. They have been able to hold onto very talented employees, particularly mothers with professional degrees, who otherwise would have left. More recently, private sector survey data just released by WorldatWork, suggest that while the overall number of teleworkers declined between 2008 and 2010, the frequency of telework increased. According to this respected source, most employees want to telework; almost 80 percent of employees would do so at least part of the time if allowed. Furthermore, 37 percent of non-teleworkers surveyed would even take a pay cut to be able to have more independence in where and how they work. While the tools and technologies to support telecommuting are readily available, reasonably priced, and easy to use, currently, most companies simply don't have the culture of trust to support flexible work arrangements. It takes measuring performance and productivity, rather than when, where, or how employees work. In the future, offering workshifting will not be optional. To attract the best and the brightest talent, employers will simply have to "get over it" and focus on desired results. Download a copy of the full study at http://www.workshifting.com/downloads/downloads/Telework-Trends-US.pdf. © 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." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. 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. 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. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. 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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