Herman Trend Alert: Cynicism
The events of 9/11 had a serious and permanent impact on the U.S. psyche, creating a level of cynicism not seen since the Depression. As we transition into a stronger economy, it is interesting to listen to cynics, disbelievers, doubters and pessimists. Even though the positive numbers are becoming stronger — even in manufacturing, there are people who still think — and act — like the economy is in trouble and will not improve.
Charting Your Supply Chain DNA — The Transformation Roadmap
What is the roadmap that successful companies follow in redefining their supply chain? Technology companies like Apple, Cisco, Dell and others are setting the trend toward faster innovation cycle times and shorter time to market. Supply chain velocity and agility are the bedrock of their competitive differentiation. As this transformation gradually cascades across industries, including automotive, implementation of the supply chain lifecycle based on the DNA building blocks we have been talking about can help companies manage these transformations effectively. The DNA building blocks represent strategies and distinguishing capabilities that have been implemented by the business-innovation leaders.
Herman Trend Alert: Small Businesses Hiring College Grads
Over the years, research has proven that the greatest growth in the economy, including hiring, comes from small business rather than large organizations. As small and medium-size businesses grow in response to demand generated by an expanding economy, they will need more talented and energetic people to join their teams.
Herman Trend Alert: Benefits Will Return
In the highly competitive employment market of the late 1990s, companies scrambled to offer new and different employee benefits to attract the job applicants they needed in the hot economy. In response to the economic slowdown, when corporate strategy shifted from hiring to layoff, employers reduced their investment in a wide range of employee benefits. Many of those benefits will be reinstated as recruiting and retention intensify.
Herman Trend Alert: Education Will Be the Competitive Edge
More Americans are complaining that their jobs are going to foreign nationals. Indignantly, they point to American companies giving preference to citizens of other countries — the work to be performed in the U.S. or in some other country. The accusations charge that the employers are choosing the foreign alternative to save money, that the foreigners will work more cheaply than Americans. Our research has uncovered a much different situation.
Leadership for Change — Staying the Course: Commitment to Change
For change leaders at all levels, nothing is more important than staying the course — showing clear and continuing public commitment to the change initiative under way. One of the most common situations we see is the failure of senior executives to personally stick close to key initiatives they’ve started. Many executives see their role as generating ideas and setting goals and direction. Once an initiative is launched, it becomes someone else’s responsibility to see it through to conclusion. The executive moves on to something new, which may very well be defining and launching yet another initiative. In some organizations this results in an ongoing cascade of terrific improvement ideas, many of which are never completed.
DST Asks: How Do you Make Strategic Business Decisions
There are almost as many sources of reference for making strategic business decisions as there are choices for planning and securing your future. Our respondents to last week’s question were in agreement that it takes collaborative efforts to design and implement a corporate roadmap, including internal management, consultants, observing and copying competitors’ strategies, industry journals and publications and technology supplier partnerships.
Herman Trend Alert: Are Two-Year Colleges Ready to Prepare Tomorrow’s Workforce?
Citizens are asking questions about whether community and technical colleges are prepared to educate and train the next generation of employees located throughout the U.S., these two-year institutions are charged with preparing people for jobs in the communities they serve. While quite a few of these colleges are highly efficient and effective, some fall woefully short of capacity to do the job employers expect.
Herman Trend Alert: The Shift has Begun
We have been forecasting the shift from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market in labor. Our message has been very clear that the past few years were only a pause in the demand for top talent and that the employment market would tighten up again. The shift to a seller’s market has begun.
Leadership for Change — Cross-Functional Collaboration and Breakthrough Thinking
Last time we talked about the role of change leadership in aligning resources and setting expectations on the magnitude and pace of change. Today we want to talk more about cross-functional collaboration and breakthrough thinking.