 Taking Care of Business!
A huge percentage of American businesses are in trouble and not just for the reasons you may think. Employees throughout the country are dissatisfied in their current work situation.
A January 2010 USA Today article reported that close to 45% of the workforce is extremely dissatisfied with their existing employer. The Herman Group, a Greensboro, NC based "think tank" points out that studies indicate that nearly 80% of employees do not feel engaged in their company or the workplace.
Every chamber of commerce and association in the United States can make themselves a meaningful, relevant organization by becoming actively involved in workplace issues / workforce development. What can you do to help your members understand the importance of employee care and development? Perhaps you can start by offering workshops, seminars, forums, and panel discussions focusing on these critical issues. Look for ways to partner with other organizations that are charged with with workforce development responsibilities. As a Board member of the Upstate South Carolina Workforce Investment Board since 2001, let me encourage you to explore a strategic alliance with your Workforce Development Board.
If you do not have a workforce development / workplace issues effort within your organization, now is the time to initiate this much needed program. Consider putting together a Blue Ribbon Task Force to benchmark existing successful programs, determine the local needs, and develop a plan of action to address the issues.
What do you think? |
