Herman Trend Alert: The Future of Customer Loyalty
Driven by consumer behavior, in the future, we will see some interesting changes in the field of customer loyalty programs. The megatrend towards globalization will have two major effects. First, international borders will no longer be the dividing lines that we see today. We will see more worldwide and macro-regional programs, as opposed to today’s that are country-centric. Second, globalization will mean that customer loyalty will be more difficult to develop, because consumer values are shifting.
Herman Trend Alert: A Turnkey Approach to Internships
A recent study by The Internship Institute demonstrated that a single intern supervisor can gain up to 225 full workdays of productivity annually by using their time to manage and mentor instead of doing everything themselves. The Herman Group has long touted internships as a way for organizations to create and reinforce a pipeline of able graduates. With the right program, interns will stay with the company upon graduation. While many companies have internship programs, the few that focus on quality of experience and intern retention enjoy the best returns on investment.
Herman Trend Alert: Global War for Talent
Employers worldwide are stressed. They’re challenged to find, engage and retain the skilled workers they need to manufacture their products and serve their customers. Some companies have had mission-critical jobs open for more than a year. One hospital has been looking for a physician for three years. Consultant Ira Wolfe’s “Perfect Labor Storm” is here.
Herman Trend Alert: Healthcare Costs Out of Control
While the cost of living in the United States rose by a mere 3.3 percent, healthcare costs for an average U.S. family of four increased by 8.4 percent from 2006 to 2007. The good news is, as we forecast last year, the increase has slowed a bit, though most would agree, not enough. This reduction is a welcome slowing from the 9.3 percent average annual rate of increase between 2003 and 2007. According to the third annual Milliman Medical Index (MMI), the average healthcare cost for a typical family of four in the United is now $14,500 for the year 2007.
Herman Trend Alert: Baby Boomers Re-careering
A recent study released by Los Angeles-based Korn/Ferry International, best known for its work in the recruitment field, echoes the message we have delivered for years regarding executive Baby Boomers and retirement. The massive retirements we expect from the Boomer generation won’t reduce the talent pool. Instead, Baby Boomers are looking at what Joe Griesedieck, vice chairman of Korn/Ferry calls "re-careering."
Herman Trend Alert: Blowin’ in the Wind
From "Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENSBORO, NC — Concerned about how society will manage its energy needs without using fossil fuels? Back in the 1960s, Buckminster Fuller predicted that by the year 2020, wind and solar would be our main sources of energy. Wind is perhaps the
Herman Trend Alert: Higher Education and Employment in 2017
The year is 2017. Virtual worlds engage students early. Employers have established major installations in Second Life and other virtual worlds where the students can work for the employer any hour of the day or night at the organization’s office or hospital. The students love the reality of the game and the employers enjoy being able to “teach” the students their cultures — effortlessly.
Herman Trend Alert: International Associations Favor U.S. for Meetings
From "Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENSBORO, NC — In a study released last week in Amsterdam by the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), the United States was the country with the most international meetings for the third year in a row. The U.S. hosted 414 international
Herman Trend Alert: Teen Unemployment — A Future Problem for Employers
Between 2004 and 2007, teen unemployment in the United States has hit record levels. These historic highs present a significant challenge for forward-thinking employers. We suspect that this problem is global in scope. This joblessness among teens is a real problem for employers affected by the tightening labor market. Ken Smith, president and CEO of Jobs for America’s Graduates, an Alexandria, VA-based non-profit that helps more than 40,000 youths each year transition from school to work, knows this problem well.
Herman Trend Alert: The Future of Wellness
For a while now, employers have recognized the value of supporting workers to stay healthy. In the United States, we call them “wellness programs.” Not only do these valuable programs reduce absenteeism, but they also increase productivity and reduce employee turnover — both directly and indirectly. The financial impact of healthcare spending is indisputable. Starbucks spends more money in one year on health insurance for its employees than it spends on coffee for its customers. The U.S. automakers will spend more money this year on health insurance than they will on the steel that goes into their automobiles.
Herman Trend Alert: Robots Teach Kids Gracious Professionalism
From "Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENSBORO, NC — 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
Herman Trend Alert: Recruiting “A” Players
From "Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENSBORO, NC — What are “A” players looking for in an employer that they work for and stay with? They want to work in organizations where the management is talented. “A” players seek future opportunity and the right chemistry with their bosses.