Ageless

The Next Major Financial Crisis

It's time for everyone to get one plain and simple truth....wait for it....wait for it...

Here it is:
GOOD economics are BAD politics

Labor Costs Are Down, but Who Really Benefits?

All of these changes relative to people, work, average income, erosion of the middle-class as "longevity based workers" was predictable as long ago as when Charles Handy wrote the Age of Unreason in the late 1980's.

In the early 21st century, Daniel Pink wrote about Free Agents in his book - Free Agent Nation and, just as the economic bombs were about to burst last year, Carleen MacKay, Phil Newbold & Brad Taft predicted an increase in free agency (including a yet-to-come amazing acceleration in Free Agents after a national health care plan becomes fact which, like it or not, it will) in their latest book, Return of the Boomers. And, yes, they also wrote that America could not compete without the mature workforce and the mature workforce could not sustain itself without continuing to upgrade knowledge and skills if they "hoped" to continue to work and earn.

If ever there was a more natural setup (than longer lifetimes and a smaller next generation) for increased emphasis on free agency in a globally competitive world of work, I've not heard of it.

Expect a stronger shift to free agency as U.S. employers will, increasingly, only pay for current skills, current talent and specific credentials in any age group.

Overall pay will stay low, while the few...the prepared...the educated... will make more money if they can stay abreast of marketplace change...Many of these people will be Boomers (and beyond) because the smart ones will combine their experience, their established penchant for hard work with new skills or education.

Do not count on people to retire. Retirement is a word for another day for most. Sustainability is the word for a new century..for people and organizations alike.

Do not count on obsolete measurement systems (such as used by the government) to offer good data relative to the new demands of a new economy.

Madoff's Fraud Is Nothing Compared to the U.S. Treasury's

A similar point of view would label the actions you've described as the "art of misdirection" - thoughts that have been bothering me ever since the Enron days.

An Economic Nightmare Before Christmas

First of all - I like the way you express yourself. Your common sense approach is refreshing and your use of words and phrases make me want to read what you write.

Your book, CRASH PROOF, offers sound advice. Your perspective of the coming day of reckoning is right on the money.

We too offer a clear glimpse of our economic future in our latest book, RETURN OF THE BOOMERS. Dan Pink says this book offers a bold call to heroic U.S. leaders to take steps now to preserve America's competitiveness. Take a peak at our website - if you are interested in reading more about the "next economic shoe to drop" we will be pleased to send you a complimentary copy as your opinions are always welcomed and sincerely appreciated.

If you have another book in mind, may I suggest the title "MISDIRECTION" - it fits with your perspective.

Will Unemployment Reach 8%?

It will reach 8% if we're lucky.

I am willing to back up a bet that it is much closer to 10-12% right now, today!

It Might Be Impossible to Stop the Decline of Housing Prices

Let's add a few additional demographic facts that suggest the U.S. housing market will not rebound anytime soon.

(1) Consider that there are far fewer people in Gen X than in the Boomer generation. Their smaller numbers will be reflected in the continued sluggish rebound of single home sales.

(2) Consider that Gen Xers are burdened with the very high cost of education, financial responsibility for their parents and, of course, later life children who also must be educated if America is to continue to compete. Their money (what there is of it) must be spent judiciously.

Don't count on Gen Y to bail the housing market out. While their numbers are large, their story is complex and we will leave that story to be told another day.

As for the behemoth houses in places like California, we ask - who will buy these oversized houses at any price?

How Will Shrinking Boomer Spending Affect the Economy?

The WSJ article paints a vivid picture of what "can be" in terms of frightening economic consequences in an aging consumer-driven nation.

To learn more about the harsh consequences we face in our struggling economy as well as about the role of Boomers in digging our way out of the problems we face, read the just published book, RETURN OF THE BOOMERS available on the aforementioned website or on Amazon. In it, the co-authors answer the questions: Can America compete in a changing world? Can we work our way through the stormy days ahead? The book makes the case for urgency in terms of the actions we must take in order to strengthen our organizations in the context of demographic realities and a new world economy.

In simple terms, we cannot tax our way out nor can we spend our way out of our problems. We can only work our way out. It will take all of us!

RETURN OF THE BOOMERS recommends strategies for leaders and the mature workforce to help regain America's competitive strength as well as to keep our consumer-driven nation earning and spending.