Is It Recovery?

Realizing that the “IT Professional Facilitator” addresses an international audience, we have to understand or consider the impact/view from a national and international perspective.

Over a year ago, I stated in various meetings (professional) I attended, and in one of the newsletters/information sources, that we had several months or several years of unknowns before recovery. Some individuals questioned this statement, but not now. While many had projected recovery sooner, I thought that it would take several years for the U.S. to recover. Why? Just think of all that was going on: economic slow down, layoffs, 9/11, Enron and other companies’ unethical business conduct and outsourcing (In particular, off-shoring without consideration for its impact. If there was consideration, we would not be where we are today). It’s called foresight and planning, risk analysis, and having a policy in place that would counter any major (negative) impact.

A company has to analyze its business, competition, market, product and services to develop business plans and strategies; to forecast its short and long-term goals and objectives. Then they have to implement and execute those plans and strategies. As a manager that has been a part of business planning and strategy, and having profit and loss responsibility, I could not believe that “recovery was just around the corner”. It seemed to be information provided to build consumer confidence but I wanted, and believed I was weighing, reality. A question that’s affecting consumer confidence: Is the increase in profits a reflection of significant cost cutting through layoffs, and not productivity, growth and business development? Not saying, recovery was/is not inevitable, but it would/will come from sincere and sound effort by businesses and government. That is the case. We heard from economists using forecasts and statistics to show the beginning of the recovery for the US, but to the several million out of a job,for many months and some for over a year, it didn’t have an immediate impact.

I am concerned. Where was the emphasis? Was it on profits and revenue, and not people, processes, and quality? I say it that way because to me, and with the success I have had as an executive manager, success has to be obtained and revenue and profits increased through people’s productivity, process improvement, and quality products and services. I was asked why I was successful as a project manager and I stated, “Committed and customer focused teams that executed realistic plans with best practice processes that met or exceeded customer and users’ requirements and expectations”. It was a strong emphasis on the customer, people, processes, and quality with goals to increase revenue and profits, a balance that was, and is, required – that’s what my successful track record reflects. That’s why RayAnn exist and why I published the book, to promote successful management of projects and programs. But don’t just look at my successful track-record, look at those companies/project managers having success over time.

We continue to hear about the signs of recovery but, again, talk to the millions that are out of jobs in the US. Recovery seems to have stopped at the door, literally. Many have lost jobs, homes, and families. A crisis. I don’t think anyone mind making some sacrifices to stimulate the economy but be realistic. How can one maintain his/her status above poverty, upward mobility in the middle class or the American dream, when layoffs continue and incomes are decreasing but not the cost of living (homes, healthcare, education, etc.)? At this time the situation is bringing many individuals and families closer to the poverty level. That’s reality.

The U.S. must survive, full-time employment must increase within the U.S. or else it will not only have a national but international impact. One would also hope that temporary hiring and short-term contracts will change to full-time employment and long-term contracts.

I don’t think we can recover from this without the cooperation and joint efforts of government and businesses putting the required policies in place, and acting on them. And if we don’t recover soon with short and long range plans/goals and policies, We are headed for some serious problems, which will not just have a national, but international impact.

Best Regards,

Eddie R. Williams

RayAnn Enterprise Publishers