Special Edition: Demographic Surprises

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There is an accompanying special edition of the interbiznet Bugler. It covers a number of key news stories and resources. It's well worth your time to take a look.

The labor shortage is one of many faces of the ageing of the population of the globe. The way that the story plays out will be central to the future and success of everyone who reads this newsletter. Here are some interesting facets of the issue that may surprise you. They certainly raise our eyebrows:

• In Germany, there is a panic about the labor shortage/depopulation issue. A key concern has become whether or not to alter pension benefits for the childless!! (This story is in the Bugler)
• In China, rice production is the single most managed aspect of the economy. During the Cultural Revolution it was widely understood that a food shortage could cause a government to topple. Today, China is a net importer of rice because of the Agricultural labor shortage.
• The US Government is advocating part time work as an alternative to retirement. It is losing key workers so fast that it is ready to try anything.
• Japan (the definition of a closed culture) has a solid movement to defend the rights of foreigners that routinely makes front page news.
• Korea (a singularly patriarchal society) is in the process of becoming a global champion of Women's rights.
• Russian game companies are headhunting American CEOs and hiring them.
• Policies devised after World War II to allocate too few jobs among too many workers—generous unemployment, disability and retirement benefits together with labor regulations that sacrifice efficiency for stable employment—will be radically counterproductive in the new era of tight labor markets.
• The competition for workers from the Philippines is global and very intense.
• Towns, States and Nations are investing in Employment branding. Combating recruiting drives and competing for workers are at the root of Brain Drains around the planet.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The underlying Global Demographics are an essential element of the shape of our future. Check out the Bugler Special Edition.