I was intrigued when I saw these two views about hiring and job creation: Is it just a matter of which data you look at? Or is there more to the story.
First view: Gallup reported “Job Creation Improves.” Seems their hiring index is up, for the second week in a row. The index has mostly been negative (firing) this year; in fact, it was last October (2008) when hiring was this positive.
Second view: Tom Peters writes “Jobs are not coming back!” He cites Mort Zuckerman’s article that the free market is not up to creating the needed jobs.
So what’s a person to think? Both Zuckerman and Gallup have good data to back them up. Both Zuckerman and Gallup are sincere in their attempt to give the best information they can.
I do find it interesting that Gallup’s measurement is based on conversations with everyday workers asking if their company is hiring. Could be some significant disconnects in what the people think and what is really happening.
But when was the last time the grape vine at your company wasn’t at least pretty close? I’d bet Gallup’s data is pretty good. Does that mean I think we’re out of the recession (forget the official reckoning)? I think we still have a ways to go, but if people don’t start hiring the good talent now, they won’t find it later. We’re going to hit a tsunami of sorts when the economy has recovered enough where top performers, who have been pent-up because of the economy, will quickly move to what they see as greener pastures. Businesses who don’t prepare now to keep their top performers, or attract new ones, will be swept under by the wave of movement. And, they’ll be left dripping wet with nothing to show for it.
Recent Comments