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 1:12 PM
August 17, 2005
Can we compete with India and China?
Interesting article on the subject of competing with the emerging service providers.
Three million U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost in the past half-decade, so by the ruler method 6 million more will go poof in the coming 10 years. The U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China has been growing 20% a year, so the ruler says it should surpass a trillion bucks by 2015. By straight-line projection, China stands to trounce Detroit in autos and Silicon Valley in infotech, while India captures software and high finance. That would leave Americans to export raw materials, colony-style, and give each other haircuts
Posted by Todd at 5:28 PM | TrackBack
August 10, 2005
Commoditization of Knowledge
Interesting Article...
What is unfolding is the commoditization of knowledge. We have seen global forces undermine autos, electronics, and other manufacturing, but the Knowledge Economy was expected to last forever and play to America's strengths: great universities, terrific labs, smart immigrants, an entrepreneurial business culture.
Oops. It turns out there are a growing number of really smart engineers and scientists "out there," too. They've learned to make assembly lines run efficiently, whether they turn out cars or code, refrigerators or legal briefs. So U.S. companies are moving on to creating consumer experiences, not just products; reconceiving entire brand categories, not merely adding a few more colors; and, above all, innovating in new and surprising arenas.