Reveille and Hyperbole  
iCIMS, a leading provider of Web- based Hiring Management Solutions, today announced that the company has experienced rapid growth in its retail client base with the signing of key retailers including XM Satellite Radio, and a leading jeweler and specialty retailer. While the company continues to experience growth across a range of industries, an increasing number of organizations in the retail industry are turning to iCIMS' suite of solutions for their recruitment and hiring management needs. A huge change in the demographics of the workforce has created a unique opportunity for Drake to introduce its latest solution — Prime50  Prime50 specializes in creating employment opportunities and other career services for job seekers aged 50+ and the employers that recruit and retain them. Statistics have shown that with an aging workforce—due to people living longer and wanting to continue their careers, along with a decline in the birthrate—employers have a critical need to retain experienced top performing talent. There have been overwhelming misconceptions of the 50+ age group. The advantage and the measurable results of harnessing their experience and knowledge, rather than letting them walk out the door, is what inspired the creation of Prime50.

Cezanne Software S.p.A. and HRM Software Ltd. today jointly announced they have signed a definitive agreement to merge, approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The merger brings together two of Europe's leading suppliers of Human Capital Management software and will create a company of more than 500 large and mid-sized customers in over 20 countries, together with a network of partners across Europe, US, Latin America, Australia and part of Asia. Monster Worldwide, the parent company of the leading global online career and recruitment resource, Monster, has formed the Monster Advisory Council. The council brings together a panel of industry, government and education thought leaders to advise Monster Worldwide on human capital issues in public policy. The council, which will meet semi-annually, is being co-chaired by the Hon. Alexis Herman, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Hon. Jack Kemp, former U.S. vice presidential candidate and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development who also served as member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Western New York. "Monster Worldwide is honored to have this group of nationally renowned leaders provide our company with a variety of insights and public policy guidance that will benefit our overall performance as well as help shape the services we provide to state and federal governments," said Andrew J. McKelvey, chairman and CEO of Monster Worldwide. The development of the Monster Advisory Council was spearheaded by Phillip Bond, senior vice president of government relations for Monster Worldwide and former Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce. DirectEmployers Association, a non-profit consortium of over 200 leading employers which owns and operates the JobCentral National Employment Network, has formed a partnership to provide its job listings to Destiny Group and its 100 plus affiliated military Web sites.



Dr. Michael J. Kavanagh, professor at the University of Albany and Noel Hannon, principle consultant of Hannon Associates and 32-year veteran of Motorola, have been selected to receive IHRIM's Excellence Award. The awards will be presented at IHRIM's 26th Annual Conference, April 9-12, in Washington, D.C. Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has recorded 2005 year-end revenues of $29.8 million, a 5.3 percent increase from revenues of $28.3 million in 2004. Hunt-Scanlon Advisors, the market research firm and online information provider to the human capital and executive recruiting industries, announced that the president of Polo Ralph Lauren has been named the 2005 recipient of the Hunt-Scanlon Human Capital Advantage Award. This annual award is designed to recognize a leading executive who has displayed excellence in human capital management while increasing shareholder value. Hunt-Scanlon Advisors, a market research firm and information provider to the human capital and executive recruiting industries, will host "Defining Leaders" in New York on October 19th and 20th at the New York Palace.

Deck Chairs
Robert A. Myers, previously  senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Reebok  , is the new  senior vice president human resources of Devon Energy Corporation/(DVN) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Devon Energy Corporation is an independent energy company engaged in oil and gas exploration, production and property acquisitions....

You Should Know
China:
China's Five Surprises
In the world's fastest-growing economy, the last 10 years are not the best guide to the next 10 years. "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function," F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote. He might as well have been describing the future of China. There are at least two prevailing views about this country's emerging global identity. Believers assert that by 2030, if not sooner, China will be the world's largest economy. It is already the fastest growing, averaging a 9 percent GDP increase annually over the past 20 years. Skeptics respond that its growth is bound to falter, soon, amid the environmental, social, and political problems brought on by rapid expansion. (Strategy+Business) (Thanks...BrainGain)

Image of Internet police: JingJing and Chacha online - Hong Yan
Starting today, when netizens visit all the main portals of Shenzhen city, Guangdong, they will see two cartoon figures "Jingjing" and "Chacha" (Jing Cha = Police). The image of Shenzhen Internet Police will officially be online. From now on, when netizens visit websites and web forums of Shenzhen, they will see these two cartoon police images floating on their screen. Our reporter learned that these are the images of Shenzhen Internet Police, presented by Internet Surveillance Division of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, for the first time in China. (China Digital Times)

SMS a Necessity, Not a Luxury
I see that the number of mobile phone subscribers in China reached 388 million by the end of November 2005, as usage continues to grow in the largest mobile market in the world. So that means that about 1/3 of the population in China is using a mobile. And that means that every professional in China has one. Soon every non-professional will have one too. (ChinaTalent)

Talent importation plan misses out lower classes
The government's new talent importation scheme, the latest in a series of efforts to bolster Hong Kong's competitiveness by attracting "top-notch" people from around the world, will effectively rule out the lower and middle classes. Details of the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, released jointly by the Security Bureau and Immigration Department Thursday, specified that only those applicants with the resources to support themselves and their dependents for up to one year without employment will be considered. (Standard)

Global:
Microsoft Opens Up Beta of Classifieds Site
Microsoft's entry into the classifieds arena, once code-named Fremont and now called Windows Live Expo, is set to open up to U.S. users. The company has been testing the site for months, first with Microsoft employees and then with businesses and universities in the Seattle area. It expects to launch an open beta to users nationwide at expo.live.com. Microsoft hopes that its approach of tying free classifieds to social networks allows it to differentiate its product in an increasingly crowded market. Google recently launched a classifieds-oriented service at Google Base. Meanwhile, aggregators such as Edgeio, Oodle and Indeed are trying to unseat players like Craigslist, eBay and newspaper classifieds providers. (ClickZ)

There are no bottomless talent pools
If there's ever a skills shortage in the US, we can outsource more jobs to places like India - or so the theory goes. This article in the NY Times today about India's labor shortage seems to hint otherwise. (LefkowZone)

The New World of On-Demand Software
Altogether, large companies can spend millions of dollars to run HR and other applications on their own computers. In many cases, however, these massive projects have failed to provide expected results. Stories abound of troubles such as systems that fail to work properly and cost overruns.  The phrase "enterprise software" leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many business leaders. For years, business applications for workforce management and other tasks typically have meant costly upfront licenses, lengthy installations by pricey consultants and ongoing maintenance issues.  But there's a newer flavor of software delivery that promises customers a much sweeter experience. So-called "software as a service" involves companies accessing standard business applications over the Internet. (Newsfactor)

US:
America's employer brand: follow the discussion
A few days ago, I had an article run on ERE about America's employer brand. In retrospect, I should have called this America's declining employer brand. It's an interesting trend, although the evidence is largely anecdotal to this point (where is America's advertising agency to do a quantitative brand research study when you need them?). (LefkowZone)

Employers cry foul over Internet 'Madness'
CBS Sports' decision to offer free online viewing of the men's National Collegiate Athletic Association's college basketball championships could cost employers nearly $4 billion in lost productivity, a new survey estimates. Outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas estimates that every 13.5 minutes March Madness fans spend on the Internet watching games costs employers $237 million in lost wages. Over the tournament's 16 days, the cost could reach $3.8 billion. (Trib)

America's Glorious Empire of Debt
"There is a crack in every thing God has made," said Emerson. The truth is that the feds can control either the quantity of the nation's money or the quality of it. At the heart of the world's next - and probably greatest - financial crisis is the sad fact that they cannot do both at the same time. Alas, there is always some catch...some restraint...some skunk in the woodpile. We cannot grow wiser without growing older. We cannot grow richer in the future without forgoing the chance to enjoy our money in the present. We cannot make the Devil's food cake of an expanding money supply without the gooey spoons and burnt pans of inflation hidden somewhere in the kitchen sink. (HoweStreet)

Money demons loom large for women Conflicted feelings, control issues sabotage security
Spending beyond your means. Accepting a low salary to avoid being seen as greedy. Lying to friends or a spouse about the cost of your purchases.  Both sexes can fall victim to irrational money behavior, but these are some of the ways women especially undermine the financial security they're seeking, financial experts said. Women may not realize it, but their reluctance to face up to their conflicted feelings about money may cost them dearly, said Liz Perle, author of the new book "Money: A Memoir."  After recounting some of her own financial mistakes, Perle spoke with more than 200 women about their money habits and found similar complexities emerged. (MarketWatch)

Survey Sez:
Productivity on the Rise—Can Work/Life Balance Be Achieved? --- The Career Exposure Network™ Identifies Top Strategies

The Career Exposure Network™ recently conducted a poll to ask employees if they are they able to manage a healthy work/life balance? As a whole, employers and employees are always looking for the elusive work/life balance, because a happier, more satisfied workforce contributes to overall productivity and success at work.

There is good news on the economic front. The U.S. Labor Department has reported a substantial rise in productivity, providing early signs of an economic turn-around. Given this trend, The Career Exposure Network™ recently conducted a poll to ask employees if they are they able to manage a healthy work/life balance? As a whole, employers and employees are always looking for the elusive work/life balance, because a happier, more satisfied workforce contributes to overall productivity and success at work.

The poll was conducted by The Career Exposure Network™ of sites, CareerWomen.com, MBACareers.com, DiversitySearch.com and CareerExposure.com, to determine the impact that the increased workload and productivity boost has had on employees and their ability to maintain their work/life balance.

The lack of balance skewed slightly higher in female respondents with 53 percent reporting that they are not satisfied with their work/life balance. However, 32 percent of diversity employees and 48 percent of MBAs responded that achieving balance is also a challenge.

"Given the downsizing of organizations over the last few years, coupled with technology advancements, today's workers have become extremely efficient -- they are productive, multi-tasking, working long hours, and contributing to the bottom line" said JillXan Donnelly, president, The Career Exposure Network. "While high productivity is a positive economic indicator, it raises concern for the strain this places on employees".

According to one CareerWomen.com respondent, work/life challenges seem to effect females more than males, "Work/life balance is so difficult for women. Children, aging parents, home responsibilities all seem to be more women's issues. When seeking a promotion, I always consider can I do it all - I don't think this is a consideration of my male colleagues."

According to the poll, MBA graduates trend towards longer work hours, yet the majority of the respondents appear to be managing the balancing act. One male MBACareers.com respondent commented, "The American economy has been built on the efforts and hard work of those who have come before. I think too many people are afraid of working hard. Yes, it does require compromise, but what doesn't?"

What do satisfied working professionals know about work/life balance that the rest of us can learn from? With work/life balance pressures on the rise, The Career Exposure Network™ has identified top techniques for maintaining balance. Universally, satisfaction appears to be driven through planned strategies and personal effort.


The Top Five Strategies For Achieving Work/Life Balance:

1. Budget your time both in and out of the office – Schedule your time efficiently at work. Put yourself on your calendar and take some time for you and your family/friends.

2. Leave work on time at least three days per week – There are times when working late just can't be helped, but try to leave on time at least 3 days a week.

3. Control interruptions and distractions - Stay focused while in the office, and budget your time effectively. Try to schedule a block of time during the day without meetings when you can focus on your tasks with minimal interruptions.

4. Explore the availability of flex-time - Research flex-time options within your organization. If available, it may be a helpful solution.

5. Seize the weekend – Plan your time off as you plan your work week. Schedule activities with family and friends, a weekend trip, or just a fun activity. Make your time away from work count!

For working professionals, getting caught in the work/life balance trap will always be an ongoing challenge. Careful planning and execution is the advice from those who have found balance in both career and home life. As one respondent remarked, "most people could take steps to improve their own situation without drastic changes, but it does require personal effort."

For additional career information and job search strategies visit http://CareerWomen.com , http://DiversitySearch.com , http://MBACareers.com  and http://CareerExposure.com

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Coming Soon

Staffing Industry Executive Forum March 13 - 16 The Beverly Hilton Beverly Hills, CA Brochure (516K) $1,695 Register	ER Expo 2006 Spring San Diego, CA March 14-16, 2006 $1,395 More Info Register
Recruiting 2006 Conference and Expo Recruiting for Competitive Advantage Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada May 10-11, 2006 Register or call 800-531-0007 ext. 631.	NACE National Meeting & Expo Anaheim Marriott/ Anaheim Convention Center May 30 - June 2, 2006 More Info Register
2006 Top Employer Summit March 27-28, 2006 Four Seasons Hotel Toronto Register	37th Annual Employment Management Conference March 30-April 1, 2006 Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, California $1,205 Register
Human Capital Summit Conference April 5-7, 2006, Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel Register $1,195	Lucas Group and The Wall Street Journal: Executive Diversity Career Fair April 19, 2006 Chicago, IL - Embassy Suites, Chicago Downtown For details:awasson@lucasgroup.com
IHRIM: HRM Strategies 2006 April 9-12, 2006 Washington, DC $1,265 More Info Register	NYHR Week 06 New York Hilton April 25 - 28< 2006 $1,695 Register
Kennedy Information's Recruiting 2006 Conference and Expo Las Vegas $1,195 Register	Hunt Scanlon Advisors present Generating Higher ROI on Human Capital June 7, 2006 Chicago
2006 EREC 21-22 June 2006 ExCel London, UK Register	SHRM's 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition June 25-28 Washington, D.C. $1,350 Read more Register
OnRec Expo 2006 12-13 September 2006 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Chicago Register	2006 Strategic HR Conference October 4-6, 2006 Westin Kierland Resort Phoenix, Arizona
Human Resource Executive's 9th Annual HR Technology® Conference & Exposition Oct. 4-6, 2006 Navy Pier in Chicago, IL Call For Proposals $!095 Register	2006 SHRM Workplace Diversity Conference October 16-18, 2006 Century Plaza Hotel and Spa Los Angeles, California
Hunt Scanlon Advisors present "Defining Leaders" New York city October 18 - 20, 2006 New York Palace	HR.com's Employers of Excellence 2006 October 25 - 27, 2006 Red Rock Resort Las Vegas, Nevada Register

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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