The 2020 Workplace

I recently read “The 2020 Workplace,” by Meister and Willyerd.  This is a great read for anyone running a firm or in charge of Human Resources.

The book goes into great detail about the massive changes that are taking place in the demographic of our workplaces, and gives advice on how to attract, develop and keep tomorrow’s employees today.

The authors go on to provide 20 predictions for the 2020 workplace.  They are:

1.  You will be hired and promoted based on your “reputation capital.”

2.  Your mobile device will become your office, your classroom, and your concierge.

3.  The global talent shortage will be acute.

4.  Recruiting will start on social networking sites.

5.  Web commuters will force corporate offices to reinvent themselves.

6.  Companies will hire entire teams.

7.  Job requirements for CEOs will include blogging.

8.  The corportate curriculum will use video games, simulations, and alternate reality games as key delivery modes.

9.  A 2020 mind-set will be required to thrive in a networked world.

10.  Human Resources’ focus will move from outsourcing to crowdsourcing.

11.  Corporate social networks will flourish and grow inside companies.

12.  You will elect your leader.

13.  Lifelong learning will be a business requirement.

14.  Work-life flexibility will replace work-life balance.

15.  Companies will disclose their corporate social responsibility programs to attract and retain employees.

16.  Diversity will be a business issue rather than a human resources issue.

17.  The lines among marketing, communications, and learning will blur.

18.  Corporate app stores will offer ways to manage work and personal life better.

19.  Social media literacy will be required for all employees.

20.  Building a portfolio of contract jobs will be the path to obtaining permanent full-time employment.

The time is now to start preparing for these coming changes.  Many are upon us already.

Thanks!  Brett Blair – Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton - Executive Search.  Specialists in placements of professionals in the automotive manufacturing world.

Some Good News for the Auto Industry

As reported in the October 3, 2011 edition of “Automotive News,” there is good news in the automotive industry.

While the rest of the U.S. economy struggles to avoid a double-dip recession and wrestles with catastrophic unemployment and staggering underemployment, the U.S. auto industry is hiring.

Manufacturing expansion plans by General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and many of their suppliers indicate that the auto sector is preparing for more robust sales.

That’s more proof that throwing a federal lifeline to GM and Chrysler – and by extension to the core suppliers shared by many automakers – was the right thing to do.

It’s also great news for the plodding U.S. economy that traditionally relies on the auto industry to be a strong economic engine.

Most indicators show that the industry will outperform the economy as a whole.  Since the bottom fell out three years ago, auto sales have slowly but surely climbed back to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of some 13 million units, which is still well below precrash levels of as many as 17 million units.

The combination of pent-up demand to replace millions of aging vehicles, the millions of new drivers needing transportation each year and the elimination of so many used vehicles in the cash-for-clunkers program in 2009 means new vehicle sales will continue to grow.

It could be some time before the U.S. economy recovers fully, so auto sales growth could remain slow but steady.  But as more Americans find jobs – and need cars to get to work – the auto industry can again turbocharge the U.S. economy.

Thanks!  Brett Blair – Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton - Executive Search.  Specialists in recruiting it the automotive manufacturing world.

Never Never Never Ever Give Up

Here’s a great quote from Brian Tracy…

“Every single person who has tried to accomplish something outside the ordinary has suffered setback/obstacle-defeat/adversity-disappointment/heartache over & over again as they have moved toward their goal. There is no record of anybody ever having achieved any kind of success without having failed over & over again.”

Are you willing to fail over and over and over again?  Am I?  I hope so.

Let’s do it!  Thanks…Brett Blair

News about automotive quality

This news just came out from “Automotive News.”  Interesting…..

DETROIT – Buyer satisfaction with new cars and trucks from Ford Motor Co., a strength that has helped it increase sales and market share in recent years, has tumbled, and Toyota has rebounded from its abnormally poor year-ago showing, according to a study released today.
In a J.D. Power and Associates survey that tracks problems reported during the first 90 days of ownership, the Ford and Lincoln brands plunged below the industry average of 107 problems reported per 100 models studied.
Power said the results are being shaded by two increasingly important factors: Complex infotainment features are causing discomfort among new users, and fuel-saving powertrain refinements make automatic transmissions seem to hesitate in an unfamiliar way when they shift gears or accelerate.
Ford, which ranked fifth and was the highest mass-market brand in last year’s Initial Quality Study, fell to No. 23, and its problems per 100 vehicles rose to 116, from 93.
It was the first time since the 2006 model year that the Ford brand fell below the industry average in the closely watched study.
Lincoln dropped from 8th place in 2010 to 17th this year, with 111 problems reported per 100 vehicles.
Lexus topped all brands with 73 problems per 100 vehicles. It was followed by Honda, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Porsche, which placed first in 2010.
Dodge finished last, with 137 problems per 100 vehicles. Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Mini also placed at the bottom of the survey.
The Toyota brand, which dropped below the industry average last year for the first time in the wake of its unintended-acceleration crisis, rebounded to place seventh, with 101 problems per 100 vehicles.

Treating Clients right in the Thank You Economy

Which is an excellent book, by the way. You should look up the philosophy of Gary Vaynerchuk if you are looking to excel in a service driven industry.

Brett Blair – Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton – Executive Search.  Specialists in the placement of professionals in the automotive manufacturing world.

Looking for a change?

Many want to abandon ship — but not for the same reason
Nearly two-thirds of workers are looking to change jobs as the economy improves, according to Deloitte’s Talent Edge 2020 survey, and their reasons tend to vary by age. Baby boomers show the highest frustration with their current jobs, most often citing a lack of trust in leadership. But Generation X is the most likely to be actively pursuing a move, and 65% say lack of career progress is their main motivator.  Grow Smart Biz

Brett Blair – Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton - Executive Search.  Specialists in the placement of professionals in the automotive manufacturing world.

Introducing our Team Member – Carol Palmatier

Sanford Rose Associates – Brighton is pleased to introduce Carol Palmatier as the newest member to our team of executive search consultants.

As an Executive Search Consultant, Carol reaches out to potential candidates and works with them to identify the best fit for our clients’ needs. She brings 15 years of experience running her own successful marketing and writing business to her work at Sanford Rose. Finding the right people for the job has been the key to much of her success in the past. During her career she has hired and managed large teams of writers, editors and other staff, for world-class clients including AOL Digital Cities, Travelocity and Conde-Naste/Concierge. She is a published author, and provides marketing support for several non-profit organizations. In her downtime, Carol loves to travel, fly single engine airplanes, and walk on the beach.

Welcome Carol!

Job Engine Shifts to Higher Gear

According to the May 7-8, 2011 Wall Street Journal, “companies cranked up hiring in April to the fastest pace in five years, easing fears that a recent lull in economic growth would mean fewer jobs.”

“The government snapshot of the labor market showed the U.S. created 244,000 jobs in April.  The private sector added 268,000 positions – the largest jump since 2006 – offset by continued cuts at all levels of government.  Most economists saw the month’s strong job gains as confirmation that a recent slow-down in the economic expansion was likely temporary and that growth will pick up.”

This is great news that confirms the overall economic recovery cycle continues.

Brett Blair – Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton - Executive Search.  Specialists in the search and placement of professionals in the automotive world.

A Shortage of Automotive Engineers

Having survived the terrible recession of the previous couple of years, the US automotive industry is now roaring back.   We are now experiencing a noticable shortage of qualified talent in the heart of the Detroit automotive scene.

Just a few years ago, engineers and other technical professionals with the US automakers and suppliers were crushed with relentless layoffs, pay cuts, reductions in benefits, and increased work schedules.   Many retired early, moved to other industries, or moved out of state.

We are now witnessing a dramatic change, with most, if not all, of the Detroit-based automakers and suppliers aggressively hiring automotive engineers.  The shortage is driving up salaries, as well as opening up willingness by some companies to pay for relocation costs and sponsoring visas to import talent from overseas.

This is a great turn of events for automotive professionals in the market, but is quite a dilemma for those companies attempting to fill needed positions to support product development and program launches.

We here at Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton specialize in the search and placement of professionals in the automotive manufacturing world.  It sure is fun to be back in the recovery cycle of this great part of the overall US economy.

More Good News for the Economy

According to today’s New York Times, U.S. factory orders rose in March for the 5th straight month.   This was primarily driven by businesses increasing orders for industrial machinery, computers and autos in March.  The March increase pushed total orders to $462.9 billion, up 31.2% from the recession low hit in March, 2009.

Also, the NYT reported that demand for small cars pushed April vehicle sales up 18% from the April, 2010 level.  Consumers are flocking to smaller cars in response to higher fuel prices and improved models from surging American companies.  With average age of vehicles on the road now over 10 years, pent-up demand is at the highest level ever.  This is great news for the U.S. auto industry.

Thanks!  Brett Blair – Sanford Rose Associates, Brighton - Executive Search.  Specialists in the placement of professionals in the automotive manufacturing world.