The Leading Edge - Winter 2008 - (Page 8) briefs The Surveys Say… CAREERS SHAPE UP AROUNd 30 What was the defining moment in your career? That’s one of the questions asked in a recent McKinsey Quarterly survey about what shapes careers. The top response given by respondents was they realized they had become passionate about a different role or industry. runner-up reasons were: • a new job opportunity at their current organization or a new organization • a realization that their current job had become less attractive and • a realization that they were not leading the life desired. Of those reasons, only the latter revolved around family or personal considerations. McKinsey Quarterly reported that although 40 percent of respondents say they have difficulty balancing work and home life, they also say this challenge doesn’t drive most career decisions. Among the survey’s other findings: The most pivotal event in someone’s career occurs around the age of 30. Executives indicate they have experienced about five such pivotal moments. respondents cited these top three attributes at ways they know their organization is supportive—good relationships with colleagues/ management, a work environment supportive of career development and intrinsic interest in their job or role. For more details about the survey results, visit www.mckinseyquarterly.com. GOING GLOBAL IN HR More companies are becoming global, but their human resources are not. Hewitt Associates, an international employee benefits company, reports that the majority of organizations make health and absence management decisions at the local level only with some corporate and/or regional involvement. But, half of the respondents also say they plan to increase corporate involvement in such decisions over the next two years. As the report authors note, balancing the benefits of local and corporate insight help the company make the most informed decisions regarding health benefits programs. The Hewitt survey also found that most organizations are not looking at health benefits globally, and even fewer have a written strategy for pooling multinationally health and wellness, employee assistance programs, absence/disability management or health care purchasing. “Hr can play a significant role in devising global health and welfare programs that are both strategic and measurable,” Hewitt reports. “To do this, Hr will have to garner more international resources and expertise, external vendors and obtain direction from senior management.” e BUSINESS TRAVEL TAKES OFF IN 2008 Companies plan to spend more on business travel and increase the number of business trips this year, building on increases from 2007. The Association of Corporate Travel Executives found 58 percent of interviewed senior-level executives and corporate travel managers say they are planning increases for travel budgets, including air, car and hotel expenses. The research found online booking systems have become core tools in the united States and Europe, while Asia and Latin America are moving quickly to implement those tools. “Across the board, the vast majority … reported that online booking systems provide savings on overall travel expenditures,” ACTE reported. SBa offers help to vets Veterans are finding business assistance with the new Patriot express loan initiative through the u.s. small Business administration. More than 500 sBa-guaranteed loans totaling $51 million have been produced. the average amount is nearly $102,000, according to the sBa. the Patriot express program provides veteran-owned businesses with loan guarantees, counseling assistance and procurement support. it is under the sBa express program umbrella, but has enhanced guaranty and interest rate characteristics. Veterans, service members leaving active duty, reservists and national Guard members plus spouses of any military members (former or current) are eligible for the program. More details can be found at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.com. e 8 VOLUME 8 n ISSUE 2 n WINTER 2008 http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com http://www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.com
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