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Top 10 Events of 2008 That Will Shape HR in 2009
Dec 31Thinking about the important things that happened in 2008, I think it’s appropriate to invoke James Carville. “It’s the economy, stupid.” Pretty much everyone knows we’re in a recession. A recession that’s changed everything.
With that in mind, here are the Top 10 Events of 2008 That Will Shape HR in 2009.
- U.S. Presidential Election
We elected Barack Obama, an African American, president. Hillary Clinton, a woman, ran against him for the Democratic nomination. Sarah Palin, another woman, was on the Republican slate as the Vice Presidential candidate.
DIVERSITY, TALENT MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP. - AIG Bailout
The U.S. Government provided AIG with about $150 Billion to rescue it from collapsing. The reasons for AIG’s decline are complex. There were allegations of wrong-doing. Our economy had survived Enron. Large companies had failed before. This was different. It triggered a wide-spread loss of consumer, investor, and employee confidence.
ETHICS & SUSTAINABILITY, BENEFITS, STAFFING, TALENT MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS PARTNER - Votes on Gay Marriage
Californians began performing same sex marriages in June then voted to outlaw it in November. Connecticut legalized gay marriage.
DIVERSITY, BENEFITS - Smartphone Sales Skyrocket
2008 U.S. Sales of smartphones grew at a rate of more than 70% each quarter over the corresponding quarter in 2007. Comparable global growth rates were in the range of 10-20% – still huge in a stagnant economy. More people are more connected than ever.
HR TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS PARTNER, ORGANIZATIONAL & EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT - Tina Fey!
The uber-talented Tina Fey parlayed her Sarah Palin likeness and her considerable imitation skills into huge fame, a multi-million dollar book deal and a second stint on SNL. Oh, and she also won and Emmy for 30 Rock. In case anyone missed it, she capitalized on a golden opportunity.
TALENT MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP, COMPENSATION, BUSINESS PARTNER - Something Rotten in Albany, Springfield, and…
NY Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned after admitting being involved with a prostitute. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was accused of selling Barack Obama’s senate seat. Detroit’s mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, was indicted on eight felony charges, including perjury, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and misconduct in office because of an affair. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson, resigned as federal investigators looked into accusations that he steered housing contracts to friends.
ETHICS, ETHICS, ETHICS (and LEADERSHIP) - Housing Bubble Bursts
Unprecedented rise in housing prices. Unqualified borrowers. Subprime mortgages. Credit crunch. Foreclosures. Economic crisis. Pop.
BENEFITS, ETHICS & SUSTAINABILITY - In With Marijuana, Out With Trans Fats
Michigan legalizes medicinal marijuana. Massachusetts decriminalizes marijuana. And, liberal California bans trans fats. I won’t even try to figure this one out.
BENEFITS (CDHP) - Wall Street Bonuses
Executive pay was all over the news. All of a sudden, everyone is a comp. designer. Now that we’re using our tax money to save some of these companies, the government is taking an interest too.
COMPENSATION, STAFFING, TALENT MANAGEMENT, ETHICS - Unemployment Rate Highest in 26 Years
The unemployment rate is above 6.7 percent and it’s rising steadily. It’s higher than it’s been since 1982. The scary thing –- people don’t like to RIF people before Christmas. Beware the Ides of January.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, LABOR RELATIONS, TALENT MANAGEMENT, BENEFITS, COMPENSATION, STAFFING, BUSINESS PARTNER, LEADERSHIP, ETHICS & SUSTAINABILITY
HR will be front and center in 2009. We’ve been begging for a seat at the table. Here it is –- the hot seat. I recommend taking a page from Tina Fey’s book and making the most of it. James Carville is great at cutting straight to the chase… “You have to have sharp elbows if you want to change something.”
About the Author
Sarah Chambers
Sarah founded IFRACTAL with Frank nearly seven years ago after working at PwC and Mercer. With a B.A in psychology and also an MBA from the University of Michigan, she’s won numerous awards for her communication work.
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It was a huge year of change. HR is going to have to be ready…it's considering these ideas in advance that are going to make a difference. Being surprised is never a good thing in the HR business.
Great review of the events of 2008 and how they will impact HR in 2009 Sarah!
You are right, HR has been begging for a seat at the table for years, and now they have got it. Personally, I can't wait to see how HR handles the hot seat!
I've featured your post in my weekly Rainmaker 'Fab Five' blog picks of the week (found here: http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_ret...) to share your post with my readers.
Be well!
Thanks Sarah. This is a really important post. I think that this is a bit of best.
Good – HR people really good at HR stuff (execellent education)
Better – HR people really good at business generally and HR specifically (business people who happen to be in HR)
Best – HR people who are mature, cleaver business people who put their business issues in the context of social, economic, cultural and historical trends around them (HR people who are worthy citizens)
You nailed this one. Thanks.
Great post, it's great to hear views from REAL hr people. I run a job resource, http://www.jobstaxi.com. Do check it out!
Sarah did a knockout job on this one. Those who ignore history –even recent history — are bound to repeat it. Good context for the HR world. It's making us think. Thanks very much for this comment…it's what keeps the writing and thinking going.
It's always nice to get positive comments. And, it's super to hear why people are interested in something we publish… particularly HR rock stars like you, Bill. Thanks tons. Your categorization of HR-types is right to the point. In this environment, I think those differences will be valued more. It's time.