Archive for category Globalization
Project Workforce Management: Jim Carroll to Speak on Managing People and Projects in The Flat World
Posted by Tenrox Project Management Software Blog in Generational Trends, Globalization, project management on May 30th, 2007
Don’t mess with my powder, dude.
I am happy to announce that Jim Carroll, futurist, innovation expert, and author of What I Learned from Frogs in Texas, will be one of our keynotes at the Tenrox User Group Conference in September. Jim also wrote the foreword for my upcoming book.
Jim announced the topic of his talk on his blog: "Don’t Mess with my Powder, Dude: Managing People and Projects in The Flat World." The "powder" he refers to is a snowboarder’s powder: fresh snow. Jim discusses how the new generation in today’s workforce cares about having fun at work more than anything else — and how their new way of thinking and priorities are affecting the workplace.
I encourage everyone to read Jim’s blog and web site–in particular, his document 10 Unique Characteristics of 21st Century Skills is a must-read for all project managers–any type of manager, for that matter–who wants to survive the coming changes in "Workforce 2.0."
Generation Next: It’s Changing Project Workforce Management
Posted by Tenrox Project Management Software Blog in Generational Trends, Globalization on March 23rd, 2007
In this blog we’ve discussed the “flat world” and the demands that a global economy is placing on businesses–including the need to collaborate and automate business processes. But here’s another compelling reason to collaborate and automate: the next generation demands it.
The cover story of PMI magazine is titled “Bridging the Gap,” and they are referring to the generation gap. Here’s the article in Project Management Institute’s magazine.
Here’s an excerpt:
While older workers may cling to the comfort of proximity, this globally aware generation views technology as a way to access a borderless, boundless marketplace. And although seniority must be respected, older generations can learn a lot from how the younger workers in this group communicate. Their ability to multitask and maintain several ongoing dialogues makes them versatile communicators, a plus for staying on top of project problems around the clock and around the world.
The next generation of workers is forcing its predecessors to make some changes–many of which sound like the same changes being brought about by globalization, dispersed workforces, and other economic factors.
- Working anytime, anywhere: They have never known a world where information was not available 24/7. So, they are more comfortable working anytime and anywhere than their more office-bound elders.
- Fewer long-term commitments. This generation doesn’t expect, and doesn’t freely offer, loyalty. Younger workers can handle more risk, so they are more likely to go where the best jobs are. They are more open to the “Hollywood Model” of workforce management we described recently.
- Wired. They are accustomed to technology and instantaneous communications. So not only are they always on and always connected, but they multi-task more effectively. They are more likely to manage their tasks and communications electronically, and don’t rely as much on face-to-face meetings.
So, the companies that benefit from the energy and innovation of the next generation will be the ones who can support and accommodate the collaborative, electronic, “always on” ways of working and communicating.
Project and Workforce Managers (especially those of earlier generations): take note. You will do well for your workforce, and your business overall, to harness younger talent by being open to these trends.
The World is Flat
Posted by Tenrox Project Management Software Blog in Globalization, Good Books and Articles on November 10th, 2006
Thomas Friedman, the award-winning New York Times writer has written a great book entitled: “The World is Flat.” This book is part of the backdrop and rationalization as to why service organizations need Project Workforce Management Solutions. Here’s is part of a review from Publisher’s Weekly:
“Before 9/11, New York Times columnist Friedman was best known as the author of The Lexus and the Olive Tree, one of the major popular accounts of globalization and its discontents. Having devoted most of the last four years of his column to the latter as embodied by the Middle East, Friedman picks up where he left off, saving al-Qaeda et al. for the close. For Friedman, cheap, ubiquitous telecommunications have finally obliterated all impediments to international competition, and the dawning ‘flat world’ is a jungle pitting ‘lions’ and ‘gazelles,’ where ‘economic stability is not going to be a feature’ and ‘the weak will fall farther behind.’ Rugged, adaptable entrepreneurs, by contrast, will be empowered. The service sector (telemarketing, accounting, computer programming, engineering and scientific research, etc.), will be further outsourced to the English-spoken abroad; manufacturing, meanwhile, will continue to be off-shored to China. As anyone who reads his column knows, Friedman agrees with the transnational business executives who are his main sources that these developments are desirable and unstoppable, and that American workers should be preparing to ‘create value through leadership’ and ’sell personality.’ This is all familiar stuff by now, but the last 100 pages on the economic and political roots of global Islamism are filled with the kind of close reporting and intimate yet accessible analysis that have been hard to come by. Add in Friedman’s winning first-person interjections and masterful use of strategic wonksterisms, and this book should end up on the front seats of quite a few Lexuses and SUVs of all stripes.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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