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2nd Quarter 2003
I thought seriously about writing a Q1 CEO letter but decided against it. Why? Primarily because the turmoil that our country was experiencing in Q4 of last year, did not change. In fact, a new layer of consternation was added into the mix -- the nearing of the war in Iraq -- and, frankly, my perspective in terms of thinking toward the future had not changed since Q4 of 2002 as well. Today, as the war progresses and the U.S. appears to be making significant strides on global political fronts, I believe we are seeing the beginnings of our next era - the possible movement toward an end to an anguish-filled recession that has been characterized by many as a modern-day Depression. With that in mind, the question arises, "What comes next for corporations and the talent that drives the success of those entities?" Behind closed doors, corporations are investing a tremendous amount of energy into determining how to redefine their competitiveness for the future. Additionally, they are investing an increased level of thought to the human talent equation and how the architecture of an employment force will need to be constructed to support and drive future success. My hope for corporate America is that senior management teams will reconsider the talent-management proposition using a clean slate. And, with this new canvas, re-examine what hasn't worked in the past as a means of designing a structure that allows for flexibility to meet individuals' shifting sentiments about how they define success for themselves, while at the same time keeping competitiveness top-of-mind for the well-being of the organization. Somewhere in the above notion is a balance to be derived from management and talent working hand-in-hand to create this new framework. We are still in the nascent stages of moving into a new era of business - one that will prove to be a highly challenging one for both sides of the employment equation. My hope is that what will emerge between now and the end of 2003 will be a new economy populated with executives at the helm of American corporations who will be committed to navigating successfully through this era of dramatic change. Sincerely, |
