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

The Herman Trend Alert September 2, 2009 Energy from Algae When we wrote about biofuels in the past (http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/archive_6-13-2007.html>see HTA from 6/13/07), we included the importance of using non-food-grade feed stocks. Versatile algae can be fed sewage and carbon dioxide and grown in many places, including deserts, ponds, and oceans. Within the next year or two we expect the number of companies involved in producing biofuels from algae, already over 50, to double. For years, ExxonMobil was publically skeptical about biofuels; last month, the company invested about $600 million into a collaborative research and development program with Synthetic Genomics. According to a research associate with Lux Research, private investment in algae fuel ventures has at least doubled every year since 2006. This trend is likely to continue. Among other approaches, Synthetic Genomics is considering the use of adjusted metabolic pathways in algae to boost the plant's oil production. (Metabolic pathways are processes involving genes and proteins that facilitate the transformation of algae to biofuels.) Only after years of careful research did ExxonMobil conclude that algae have the most potential in terms of their ability to scale up production. Second, algae biofuel production can fit into the vast infrastructure of existing refineries and filling stations. Finally, algae can produce far more fuel per acre than palm, sugar cane, or corn. Recently, other large oil companies, including Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell have recently invested into algae ventures as well. Naturally, the airline industry, plagued by high jet-fuel prices, is also investing and testing, with participants including Boeing, GE Aviation, Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, and Continental Airlines, among others. Economic competitiveness remains the key challenge; the search is on to find the best strains of algae for producing oil. Another startup Solazyme, located near San Francisco, whose investors include Chevron, is growing algae in large dark tanks and fed by sugar. Another company in Israel called Seambiotic is growing marine microalgae using the carbon dioxide from a coal-burning power plant's smokestack to feed its algae. There is even a company in China developing algae as effective biofuel. The use of algae as biofuel has tremendous potential. Expect more large companies to jump on this bandwagon. © 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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