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May 4, 2006

Three Bad Assumptions on Globalization

1. People in the global economy only want the low end information technology jobs. It is an incorrect assumption that information workers around the world will be satisfied with our low end operations and development functions. The higher end architecture, design, and customer interfacing jobs are also at risk.

2. People in the global economy will win based on the sheer numbers of technology professionals. Yes and no! Yes, you can get 10 Ph.D.s for the price of one technology professional but the real tragedy is that a single global worker will out work us in time, commitment, continuous learning, focus, etc. Of course, we have experience on our side, right? Go ask your manager what you did 3 years ago and to recall your greatest accomplishment of 2003. Let me know how that works for you.

3. The timing of this globalization will happen tomorrow so let us close the borders, pass laws and raise tariffs. No, while globalization is creating hundreds of thousands of jobs overseas the proportion of jobs lost in this manner is very small; perhaps 2-5%. Of course, the biggest contributor to job erosion is cutting costs, standardization, and technical advancements. There is still plenty of time to develop news skills to adapt to the changing times or go back and add another education notch to your belt. Certifications, CMM belts, formal education, and publications all help in pushing your career forward.

Posted by Todd at May 4, 2006 1:12 PM