Economic uncertainty reigns. But one thing you can depend on is the list of obligatory predictions as we close a disastrous 2008 and fearfully embark on 2009. Although most predictions are, well predictable”weve got roiling economic seas ahead”some are specific. Heres some excerpts: Herman Trend Alert: 2009 Workforce/Workplace Forecast includes: Certain Skill Sets Continue to [...]

Many companies are surviving the economic turmoil and looking for opportunities, according to McKinsey Global Survey Results: Economic conditions snapshot, November 2008. In particular, there’s a renewed focus on innovation which may be a key driver of economic recovery. Innovation occurs in many ways: the development of new products or services, or in new ways [...]

News of mass layoffs is everywhere and you can start using the official R word” the recession in fact started in December 2007. But youve been here before if you experienced the economic downturns in 2000-2002, 1991-1993, and 1981-1983. The significant talent management question then is: how does your organization adjust your talent management practices [...]

HR has been encouraged to become more conversant with”and dependent on”data: metrics, statistics, and benchmarks. And thats a good thing, but the numbers themselves often dont tell the story. Its the analysis, perspective, and context that changes data from raw information into intelligence. Break Away From Paradigm Blindness explains the pros and cons of three [...]

Amidst generally gloomy economic news, the latest Business Confidence Survey of owners and managers of US small and medium-sized businesses is not so dire: more than 37 percent of owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses expect a higher rate of growth for their operations in 2009, and 38 percent anticipate the same level [...]

Thanksgiving in the US is an opportunity to take time off, visit with family, and reflect on the positives in our lives while we enjoy our feasts. Its also a fine time to remind ourselves that its good to talk turkey with your talent about how their efforts drive business performance, and to maintain a [...]

Although most corporations think in terms of globalization, countries think more about how their national economies fit into the global scheme. Examining national competitiveness now and in the future provides important insights for many countries. The US for instance continues to raise the alarm about student math and science ill-preparedness and that relationship to driving [...]

In past recessions, corporate layoffs were announced in press releases that were strategically positioned as cost reductions for Wall Street. As an HR professional and steward of your employment brand, you should be equally interested in how your company is perceived by current employees, potential candidates, and consumers on Main Street. Today, organizations are not [...]

Over the past week in the US, weve witnessed a major advantage of political democracies over other kinds of government: the peaceful transfer of power. This form of elective and collaborative succession planning is the law of the land, but how formalized is the process in your organization? With the current economic crisis looming as [...]

UCLA Anderson School of Management professor Dr. Samuel A. Culbert shows no restraint in his Wall Street Journal article, Get Rid of the Performance Review! His article subtitle summarizes his position: It destroys morale, kills teamwork and hurts the bottom line. And that’s just for starters. The subject of performance reviews and his take on [...]