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Local Outlook 2006
A
quick glance at local headlines and you would have good reason to be
concerned about the outlook for 2006. Government fiscal problems, a
significant blow to one of our largest employers, and reminders of higher
gas and heating costs resonate.
Outside the headlines, what was 2005 really like and what can we
expect for next year?
In
many ways, the types of enquiries received at E. K. Ward &
Associates, an OI Partner, reflect what is happening in our business
community. We generally have
a "sense" of local business health. Some years we are very busy
delivering outplacement services.
We may be running dedicated career centers to accommodate plant
closings or large downsizings while our three corporate career centers
are servicing participants from diverse companies in the throes of
cutting back. Other years, such as 2005, our career transition services
are required in large part due to realignments, merger and acquisition
activity, mismatched talent, the bell curve 10%, or the Peter Principal.
One
year ago when we shared our 2005 Outlook, we included data from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics which indicated that by the year 2010, there
will be a shortfall of 10,033,000 skilled workers. We noted that companies were already
developing workforce plans to deal with the impending shortage. In fact,
in 2005, companies were very busy identifying needed new talent. Our executive retained search,
assessment and recruitment assignments were at an all-time high and by
all indications that will continue.
Another
"hot" area for our business in 2005 was Executive Coaching and
Leadership Development. We
found companies committed to investing in elevating the leadership skills
of key players to support a thriving business, and bring performance to a
higher or more effective level, sooner rather than later. Based on our first quarter 2006
project logs, this is an ongoing trend.
So
by our barometer, we predict slow but continued growth in the local
market in 2006. In order to meet resultant demands and to sustain a
competitive edge, human resource managers will continue to focus on
identifying best-matched new talent and developing the leadership skills
of its management.
For
more information, contact E. K. Ward & Associates at
716-626-1188 or please click here.
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OI Partners - E.K. Ward and
Associates
December
2005 Newsletter
2006.
How did we get here so fast? Was Y2K really that long ago? Have
we really had two presidential elections since 2000? Yes, we are
sprinting ahead in the first decade of the new century.
Technology and globalization present new challenges and
opportunities. Terrorism and intolerance present threats and
dangers.
The
consistent force in our lives is change. The years ahead will
bring more change and at a dizzying pace. At OI Partners, we live
in the world of constant change. We serve the needs of our
clients by helping them develop, retain and reposition talent to meet
the demands of a dynamic marketplace. It is valuable and
meaningful work. We want to thank our clients for the opportunity
to be of service and to help them navigate the rapid waters of change.
2006
is here. Are you ready? We are, and we are ready to help
you succeed in the fast-paced, constantly changing environment ahead of
us.
We
wish you success and happiness in 2006.
Anne
Mahoney Glose
OI Partners
(Williamsville, NY)
Please click on
the links below to read the complete articles.
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Are You Ready for 2006?
Change is a constant in today's world. Each year, we encounter
unprecedented change in our markets and in the workplace. Technology,
access to information, regulations and demographics drive changes in
all aspects of our lives. 2006 will bring new opportunities for us to
test our skills in thriving during change and chaos. What will you do
to master change in the coming year? OI Partners suggests several
actions you can take to be "change ready" for 2006.
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The Outlook for
2006
What will 2006 bring? Will we see a strong economy? A booming job
market? Or will we experience a year of "one step forward and
two steps back?" Every year brings new challenges. Looking back,
could we foresee the devastation of Hurricane Katrina or the huge
rise in gas prices? So, prognostication probably isn't a good
strategy for us. Instead, let's scan recent news for insights into
what 2006 may bring.
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Career Planning
for the 21st Century
A liberal arts degree, a varied background, and a willingness to
learn new things may be the best preparation for the job market of
tomorrow. Many of today's young people will hold jobs in their
lifetimes that don't even exist today. The best preparation is
probably a formal liberal arts education combined with skill and
specialty development through internships, work, or other nonacademic
...
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Last six weeks of
year present challenges for workers, supervisors
What do we call the period that begins the week of Thanksgiving and
ends the first week of January? If we were French, we'd call it
"les vacances," the weeks --
typically in August -- when some businesses close and many people
load up the car or van and head for lengthy vacations at the beaches,
the mountains and campgrounds. But, merci beaucoup, we're not French.
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A Favorite Holiday
Memory
Over the years, each of us has had great (and some not so great)
holiday memories. For some, it is time spent with family, giving the
ideal gift or watching your kids as they open their presents. These
are among my favorites, and I can make a case for others. But as I
look back in my life, I recall one special holiday memory, not for
what it meant to me but because of the impact it had on all of
mankind.
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