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 [...]