Each year at this time, The Herman Group issues its annual forecast. Typically, they have offered an abbreviated version to conform to their one-page per Herman Trend Alert format. This year, once more, they offer you their full forecast for the coming year:

1. Recruitment in a Tightening Labor Market Even the coming economic slowdown will not completely stop the creation of jobs. Moreover, stimulated by job creation and the fact that skilled workers in many occupations are in short supply, time-to-fill openings will also continue to increase as will the costs.

2. More Employers Turning to Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) In an effort to reduce costs, more large employers will turn to companies like The Right Thing, Inc. and others will step in to provide a wide variety of recruitment services on an outsourced or insourced basis, including providing customized services for clients, based on specific needs.

3. Retention in the Face of Increasing Choices for Employees Recent studies reflect that employee turnover is accelerating. With increasing choices we will see more attrition, especially from the ranks of long-term employees. Wise employers will conduct "stay interviews" and provide re-orientation to their seasoned employees. More employers will begin to be aware of the value of contingent employees and address the issues of retaining them.

4. More Employers will focus on Metrics Following the lead of large employers, more medium-size employers will embrace technology to manage the employee life-cycle and operate more efficiently. This increased efficiency will drive more profit to the bottom line.

5. Leadership Deficit Becomes More Apparent As companies experience the re-careering of Baby Boomer executives, they will become more aware of the lack of qualified supervisors and managers to move up into higher positions. The organizations' previous lack of training for would-be leaders is to blame.

6. Lack of Succession Preparation Organizations will become more acutely aware of their lack of succession preparation. They have simply not invested in leadership training so that their supervisors, managers, and executives are not ready to move into the positions.

7. More Employers Accommodate Older Workers to Maintain Intellectual Capital The drive to retain older workers will cause companies to work harder to accommodate the wants and needs of older workers. AARP will support employers' drives to hold onto these valuable employees. More employers will embrace flexibility in all aspects of work to adapt to the wants and needs of their retirement-age associates.

8. More Awareness of the Link between Economic and Workforce Development Workforce development issues move to top-of-mind for communities, as they become more aware of the workforce imperative---that business and industry will only locate where there are the skilled workers to fill their open positions. This awareness will lead organizations to focus more on middle- and high-school students to begin to expose them early to the careers available in their communities.

© Copyright 1998-2008 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."

How We Can Help

We have reported on the tightening labor market for some time and the importance of building your "talent pipeline" in an effort to off-set this trend in the 21st century. Recruitment now needs to be an on-going process, whereby your forecasting and budget allows for investment in this critical area.

MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE RECRUITING

Outside the Lines, Inc. specializes in retained executive search for the wine & hospitality industry. Our team of retained search specialists partner with our clients through all phases of the recruiting assignment to maintain focus and reach a successful and timely outcome. We put your recruiting investment to work, immediately, so you can:

* Reach candidates not actively seeking a change
* Review a broad range of candidates
* Interview only prescreened, qualified candidates
* Fill your openings quickly and efficiently
* Have confidence in the success of your search

TURNOVER

Attrition will occur. That doesn't mean that you need to stand back and do nothing. Become a retention expert by knowing what makes your employees tick. Gain the knowledge to reduce turnover via an Employee Satisfaction Survey. Develop a "culture of excellence" where managment and employees work together cohesively, in an environment of mutual respect and with your mission statement as their beacon to success.

Call us now at 707.933.0687 for a free 15 minute consultation
on any of the topics discussed in this article..

Management & Executive Recruiting
Employee Satisfaction
or to explore your options as an employer with WineAndHospitalityJobs.com

Outside the Lines, Inc., was founded to provide innovative and creative human resources & training consulting and full-service recruitment & recruitment support solutions specific for the wine, full service restaurant, hotel, hospitality & food industries. Through a process of problem solving, solution implementation and future based thinking, we are committed to creating customized solutions for our clients on a small to large project basis or in an ongoing outsourcing relationship.