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April 2010

Spring is sprung, as they say. All the economic signs are pointing to brighter days ahead, though the brightness may take longer to arrive than most of us would like.

We just read a McKinsey Quarterly report on the state of the economy that we found encouraging, if not exactly heart-throbbing (free registration required to read the entire report). A recent McKinsey survey found global executives more optimistic than they have been in some time, with "Stabilizing Company Finances" and "Geographic Expansion" being the top two priorities identified by CEOs (Hiring New Talent, alas, came in fifth).

We've been paying a lot of attention recently to the concept of Trust: how companies and leaders establish brand credibility in the marketplace, and how they build cultures based on trust. We mention that only to highlight the fact that faith in the future—trust that things will get better—is a critical precursor to economic growth. That perspective highlights the fact that economic health is really a self-fulfilling prophecy. We've got to feel optimistic about the future in order to take the steps that generate a future worth being optimistic about. And we think—somewhat optimistically—that the global economy is gradually getting back to that state of mind.

With that in mind we hope you'll find our feature article this month helpful. We focus on the next 100 million residents of the United States and where they're going to live. Understanding that aspect of the future will have a huge impact on organizational location strategies, and openness to enabling remote work when you can't afford to open an office where the talent you need is choosing to live.

And we've also pulled together some of the most interesting ideas we've run across recently about the future of place and space (mostly about telecommuting) and the future of work design.

Enjoy.

Charlie and Jim

Click on any Headline below to access the full story.

1. Feature Article: Guess What? The Sky Isn't Falling

The next wave of growth in the United States will generate 100 million new residents. Overwhelmingly these new citizens will locate in America's heartland and its outer suburbs. Enabled by technology for connection to the global economy and driven by immigration for cultural development, these areas will become the preferred location for talent. Businesses must understand and adapt to this demographic shift in order to compete successfully for innovators and entrepreneurs.

2. The Future of Place and Space

Norway's Prime Minister runs the government with an iPad while stranded in New York City by the Icelandic volcano ash. But working at home may not be as simple, or as family-friendly, as many of us would like to think. On the other hand, we also point you to a first-person account from someone who loves telecommuting.

3. The Future of Work Design

President Obama is moving the federal government more aggressively towards flexible work.

4. What's Happened/Happening?

Brief announcements and notes about where Jim and Charlie have been, are, and will be, holding forth in public conversations and other activities.

As usual, your comments and reactions to any of these articles are more than welcome. Please send your thoughts to us at any time.

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