Herman Trend Alert, Author at aftermarketNews - Page 29 of 36
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Herman Trend Alert: Employee Satisfaction at Risk

Employee attitudes and behaviors show surprising similarities from one country to another. Trends observed in one country are also seen in other countries around the world. A recent survey of employees in the information technology industry in India was reported in the Mumbai Mirror. The industry is still attractive as a career, with hardware professionals and marketing professionals more satisfied than those specializing in software. In spite of the industry’s popularity, the survey results indicate that employee satisfaction is decreasing. The overall employee satisfaction index has dropped by about 11 percent as compared to last year (from 77.8 percent in 2005 to 69.2 percent this year). As a result, the attrition rate of the industry has also increased by 1 percent from 14 percent last year.

Herman Trend Alert: Resilience: Skill for Future Success

When we profile successful leaders of the future, several qualities grab our attention. One trait attracting the attention of researchers is resilience, defined as tough-mindedness and the ability to accept criticism.

Herman Trend Alert: Reverse Migration of Manufacturing Base

For years, manufacturing jobs have migrated from developed countries to third world countries, most notably in Asia. Movement within the past year suggests that this trend is reversing. Some jobs that moved are coming back, and some third world companies are establishing manufacturing facilities in developed countries.

Herman Trend Alert: On-Site Clinics Reduce Healthcare Costs

As employers look for ways to further reduce healthcare costs, one strategy that is growing in acceptance is the establishment of On-site medical clinics. According to a study by the consulting firm Watson Wyatt, 33 percent of the 275 organizations that collectively employ more than 4.9 million workers have set up On-site medical clinics or plan to sometime this year.

Herman Trend Alert: Consumer Driven Health Care — A Confusing Opportunity

The issue of rising healthcare costs is second only to employee retention in the list of challenges facing employers today. Thus, it is no surprise that employers are looking for all kinds of ways to make employees responsible for a larger share of healthcare costs. Enter: Consumer Driven Health Care.

Herman Trend Alert: Energy Engineers: Problem, Opportunity

Young people considering career alternatives tell us they are most interested in jobs that will be needed for many years into the future. Watching the decomposition and sudden obsolescence of jobs, they’re looking for opportunities with long-term career stability. They want to know what industries will be strong and where the jobs will be.

Herman Trend Alert: Retail Resurgence

Over the past decade, we have seen false and failed starts in online retailing. The market wasn’t ready. The technology wasn’t ready. Forward-looking retail entrepreneurs were too far ahead of their time and lost a lot of money. The Internet retail movement lost momentum, as well. Major retailers, as well as thousands of smaller enterprises, have continued to play in the world of electronic relationships, while protecting themselves with a sustaining brick-and-mortar presence. The feeling has been that Internet retail will explode someday; it’s just a matter of time. Many retailers have struggled to maintain a presence on the web so they would be ready when that glorious time finally arrived.

Herman Trend Alert: Salaries Becoming Competitive Tool Again

For the past few years, money has not been the strongest motivator in the employment market. Meaningful work and life-work balance have become the most influential attractors. People are particularly looking for flexibility in working hours so they can enjoy more personal time.

Herman Trend Alert: Healthcare Costs Continue to Rise

According to Mercer’s recently released 2005 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, United States employers are expected to spend an average of $7,564 per employee in 2006 for health benefits. This number represents an increase of 6.7 percent over the amount of $7,089 paid in 2005. The increase between 2004 and 2005 amounted to 6.1 percent. When we look at the 7.5 percent increase between 2003 and 2004 and the 14.7 percent increase between 2002 and 2003, the 6.7 percent does not seem like a lot. However, when compared to the previous year, we notice that the rate of increase grew by more than 10 percent.

Herman Trend Alert: Competition for Hourly Employees is Intensifying

In the late 1990s, we saw an increase in competition for good workers. To entice prospective employees to join organizations, recruiters offered higher salaries, more comprehensive benefits and high-dollar incentives like automobile leases, stock options or lavish gifts. As the momentum picked up, the cost of hiring people went up and employers began raising prices of their goods and services to generate needed funds.

Herman Trend Alert: Turnover Will Fatten Payrolls

Employers are experiencing increasing employee turnover, which causes a number of problems for them. One of those problems, not seen for a number of years, is beginning to resurface in many companies. The situation will become much worse before it gets better. Payroll costs are increasing because employers are adding more people.

Herman Trend Alert: For Some Older Workers, It Is Prime Time

“It’s just self defense,” says Jim Hicks, Vice President of Business Integration for AREVA in Lynchburg, VA, talking about the tightening labor market. AREVA, designer and builder of nuclear fuel, services, and components, needs engineers to support its corporate growth. Problem: they are difficult to find.