This Week's Herman Trend Alert Navigating the Next Year

The Herman Trend Alert September 10, 2008 Out of Doors---Finding our Element Recently, a poll was conducted by the new "Open Air" Magazine regarding our preferences for being outside, activities we prefer, and with whom we prefer to do them. Some of the data are expected. Other data reflect surprising answers. First, United States residents look to the out-of-doors for exercise. When answering the question, "If you were participating in an outdoor recreational activity, what would you look forward to the most, nearly 40 percent of us chose "Exercise" as our answer (over Companionship", "to forget about work", Solitude", and "Inspiration"). When asked where these US respondents would rather spend their "most cherished" weekend time, the answer was overwhelmingly "Outdoors" (48 percent). Coming in second and third were "At church" and "In the kitchen" (18.6 percent and 13.6 percent respectively). In the US we also look to being outdoors for a change to relax and renew. The question was asked: "If you had a chance to spend a month alone in a cabin in the woods, what would you most hope to come away with?" These responses not surprisingly showed 36.4 percent answered "being rested and recharged", while 24.4 percent said "a greater appreciation of family/loved ones" and 20.6 percent chose "a greater sense of God". The most telling set of answers came to the question: "Would you rather play golf with....?" Only 3.7 percent of the respondents indicated that they preferred their bosses. The respondents were twice as enthusiastic about playing golf with "a total stranger". Around the world, bosses are generally not the people we prefer to play with. One question asked what would you liked to be snowed-in with at a cabin for a month. The results were as follows: 32.9 percent, "A Bible"; 24.1 percent, "A picture of your family"; and only 20.8 percents answered "their pet/dog". These data reflect a growing interest in spending time out-of-doors and an understanding of the value of exercise. We view contemplative solitude as a chance to make ourselves better people and prefer golfing with friends and family over a chance to impress the boss. As a population, we seem to be fairly health-conscious. © 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." RESOLVE TO ADDRESS EMPLOYEE TURNOVER IN 2009 If you knew just how much money turnover is costing your company, you would have handled it ages ago! Turnover costs A LOT and it comes right off the bottom line. Let The Herman Group and its team of very experienced consultants help you address your turnover issues right away. We have an impressive track record and stand ready to help you. Call Carol at 800-227-3566; international, call 336-210-3547 for a no-obligation conference call. EMPLOYEE RETENTION BEGINS WITH GOOD SELECTION If you are not using pre-employment assessments, you are flying without radar---not very smart in today's highly competitive environment. Let us help you better understand your candidates and your employees. In less than 30 minutes, you will know if they can do the job (abilities); their work behaviors, even their personality and attitudes (like integrity & ethics), and those can't be trained. It's very cost effective, too! For more information, contact Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail assessments@hermangroup.com. Validated for many countries and cultures. We offer in-depth help with job descriptions, too! GET INSIDE THE MINDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES Find out what's really going on inside the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-648-1918 or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. To read this Herman Trend Alert on the web: http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/archive_9-24-2008.html. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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