IT Workplace Economy
2011 ends on a positive note
As millions of Americans gathered together with their friends and loved ones on New Year’s Eve, many counted down the final ten seconds of 2011, eagerly anticipating the dawn of a new year and new promises for a better future.
With the past year being one that faced high unemployment rates, salary reductions, and layoffs, many Americans were looking forward to a brighter 2012 with the last BLS report data of 2011 delivering a glimmer of light.
In December alone, 200,000 new jobs were added to the economy as the unemployment rate dropped to 8.5 percent, the lowest in nearly three years, even though many economists had predicted a year-end unemployment rate of 8.7 percent, with much less job creation.
Overall, 1.6 million new jobs were gained throughout 2011, almost twice as much as in 2010, when only 940,000 jobs were created. December also marked the sixth consecutive month in which at least 100,000 jobs were added to the economy – a very positive streak that had not occurred since April 2006. And, to top it all off, many industries reported considerable growth in 2011.
Although there was some negative economic news to report in 2011, the year was also one of continuous economic progress, as noticed by a lower unemployment rate and an increase in annual hires. Maybe unemployed Americans really will find a light at the end of the tunnel after all – and sooner than many economists predicted.
Other articles of interest
IBM’s 5 tech predictions for the next 5 years
ibm.com
Ever wonder what Big Blue thinks about emerging market and social trends and their impact on our future? IBM recently released its annual forecast of five trends and technologies that will affect the way we work and live over the next five years.
1. Energy: People power comes to life
With so much movement in the world, IBM believes we will be able to capture kinetic energy and use it to power any number of personal appliances and even entire cities. The company is already testing this in Ireland where it is working to convert the energy in ocean waves into electricity.
2. Security: Never use a password again
IBM predicts that advancements in multifactor biometrics, including facial recognition, retinal scans and voice files, will make passwords obsolete. Our own unique biological identify will help prevent identity theft.
3. Mind reading: no longer science fiction
We may soon communicate directly with devices like telephones. IBM is researching ways to link your brain to your smartphone or computer so that thinking of an activity in fact performs it. This has implications for fields such as physical rehabilitation and autism therapy.
4. Mobile: The digital divide will cease to exist
Mobile devices are making information readily available in disadvantaged areas. The gap between haves and have nots will be imperceptible as growing communities use mobile technology to provide access to essential information. IBM is introducing new solutions and business models for mobile commerce and remote healthcare, for example.
5. Analytics: Junk mail will become priority mail
Technology will replace unwanted messages with helpful and wanted information. Using analytics and sensemaking technology, IBM is developing tools to integrate data into applications that give you only the information that you prefer and then take it one step further and perform the preferred action. For example, an application that knows your music preferences and your calendar may alert you that your favorite band is playing nearby, reserve tickets and map the route to the location. Who needs a personal assistant?
Workplace traits of Gen Y revealed
cio.com
A recently released study from Millennial Branding offers insights into the attitudes and needs of 20-somethings who will make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025.
Using information from 4 million Facebook profiles that are part of Identified.com database, the study found that Gen Y is much less likely to work for big business than their elders. Only 7 percent of those surveyed worked for fortune 500 companies.
“Gen Y looks for more flexibility like working from home, and they want to have access to social networks. Fortune 500 companies don’t usually allow this flexibility. I think we’re looking at the end of the 9-to-5,”
said Dan Schawbel, founder of Millennial Branding and author of Me 2.0.
This cohort often turns to start ups where the hiring process is faster and they feel they have a better chance of making an impact for the company.
Gen Y is quite entrepreneurial with “Owner” appearing as the fifth most-popular job title, preceded by “server” (No. 1), “manager” (No. 2), “intern” (No. 3) and “sales associate” (No. 4).
Retention is also an issue for this cohort as they frequently become impatient for new opportunities. To improve longevity, the report says that companies should reach the entrepreneurial drive of Gen Y and allow them to work more independently.
